Page 76 of What If I See You

“Yep. Don’t ask me why. It’s a thing and I don’t even have a reason.” She giggles, motioning to the ones on her table. “Those are a gift from August,” she explains. “He brought them to me before my very first game and he’s done it for every game since.”

“That’s so sweet of him.” I smile.

“Yeah. He’s pretty great. I get your fears though. I used to have them too. Hockey is a contact sport and everyone knows it can get rough but if it helps at all, I can tell you the guys are more than prepared each time they take the ice. They know the risks but they also know how to keep themselves as safe as possible.” She shrugs her shoulder. “After that you just have to trust they know what they’re doing and have faith everything will be just fine. If you let your nerves get the best of you, you’ll never be able to enjoy the game.”

Nodding, I consider her advice. “I suppose you’re right.” I take a deep breath and try my best to shake my nerves away. “All right. Let’s go tell the guys good luck and then I need a beer.”

Corrigan laughs. “That’s my girl.”

We say goodbye to Ella and continue down the hall toward the locker room. Scarlett pushes on the door and then shouts, “Put your balls away gentlemen! The girls have arrived.”

Harrison spots me walking in with Corrigan and Scarlett and says, “Yeah, Ollenberg! Stop slapping your balls. Your wife is here to wish you luck.”

“That’s the perfect opportunity to have my balls on display though,” he says as I round the corner. My eyes find his and then they immediately drop to his body. He stands before me wearing the bottom part of his uniform without a shirt on. His immaculately sculpted chest and strong arms making my insides flutter for reasons other than fear of him getting hurt.

“Hey Naughty.” His soft husky voice is suddenly the most attractive sound I’ve ever heard and when he opens his arm for me, I step into it without question like it’s something we do all the time. He wraps his arm around me and kisses the top of my head as I bring my hands to his back and rest my cheek on his chest.

Wow, he feels…warm.

Strong.

Protective.

Loving.

Tender.

Amazing.

I would do just about anything to never have to walk away from this embrace.

“You okay?” he murmurs in my ear and I nod my head against his surprisingly soft skin.

“Mhmm. You?”

He inhales a deep breath and to my surprise says, “I am now.”

His comment has me biting back a smile.

“Aww, Griff,” Bodhi says from the other side of the room. “Your wife’s nervous for you.”

I step out of Griffin’s embrace, but he doesn’t let go of me when I turn around to show Corrigan that if looks could kill she’d be a dead bitch right now. She merely chuckles at my expense and shrugs. “What? It’s cute!”

“You’re nervous, Naughty?” Griffin asks, peering down at me with an amused smile. “For me?”

Rolling my eyes and trying to play off my unease, I huff out a breath. “Oh, my God, she’s making a way bigger deal of this than it is.”

“You didn’t answer my question,” he says with a knowing grin.

“Okay, yes! Yes,” I acquiesce. “I’m a little nervous, okay? I know I’ve seen plenty of home games and I’ve seen you play before but this is the first time I’ve gotten to watch you play a game that isn’t in our hometown and also as…well…”

“As my wife?” He smiles, knowing he’s got me right where he wants me.

I nod. “Yes. As your wife. And I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Aww. That’s so sw?—”

“Because I don’t want to deal with your cry-baby drama when you need help taking a shit,” I say, playfully punching him in his stomach.

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