Page 44 of Falling for the Forward

“Wow. Why am I just hearing about this accomplishment?”

I shrug. “I didn’t want to intimidate you.”

“We can do a lift if you want.”

I laugh. “I didn’t make it that far.”

He closes some of the space between us, moving our hands out to the side, his expression soft as he says. “Thanks foreverything you’re doing to make this Christmas good for the girls.”

“I love doing it.”

“You’ve been their rock. Mine, too.”

I swallow hard, taken aback by the compliment. Carter is usually aloof and sometimes downright gruff. But on those occasions when he says something sweet, he knocks it out of the park every time.

“Well...I’m glad to be.”

I hold back a cringe over my awkwardness. Every time we’re alone, I worry I’ll let slip that I want him. A lot. I’ve stopped trying to make myself not want him because it’s impossible. As long as I don’t act on it, it won’t be a problem.

He releases my hands and comes even closer, putting his hands on my waist as he glances over his shoulder.

“Team photographer is taking pictures of us,” he murmurs.

Of course. Why else would he be looking at me like that? His expression is a mix of tenderness and happiness.

“Watch it, Stanton,” one of his teammates jokes as he skates past us. “I’m trying to smoke some six-year-olds and you’re in my way.”

Carter shakes his head, something over my shoulder catching his eye. He scowls.

“Who’s that boy Olivia’s smiling at?”

I turn to see where he’s looking. “Oh, I bet that’s Jake. She mentioned him.”

“Really.” He says it angrily. “He looks about fifteen, and whose kid is he? I don’t know him.”

“We can ask her later.”

“Or now.”

“Carter...”

“What? If he asks for her number, I’ll board the little fucker.”

I give him a look. “Don’t embarrass her. She’s just trying to fit in with the other kids. Let’s just enjoy Christmas Eve.”

He looks from Olivia to me. “Fine. But we’re talking to her later.”

“Not later tonight, though. Because it’s Christmas. Fucking. Eve.”

“Okay, fine.”

A woman in a Crush hoodie with a camera in hand skates toward us.

“Carter, can you get your whole family onto the ice for a photo?”

“Sure.” He looks at me. “You want to get Charlotte and Hallie?”

I smile. “No, I’ll get Liv.Youget Charlotte and Hallie.”

---