Page 70 of Love Me

I laugh at her. “Noted. I’ll take it up with the boss, sound good, munchkin?”

“Yep! Now, can we go to the hockey game? I want to see the goalie! Cause he’s just like you!”

My heart swells with pride. I love these two so fucking much ithurts.

The arena hums with energy as Hannah, Charlotte, and I weave through the maze of people walking around. It’s both of my girls’ first big hockey game, and their contagious excitement buzzes through my body, even though I’ve been to more games than I can count. There’s nothing in the world quite like your first NHL game, and now I get to experience it through their eyes, which is honestly better. The cold air bites, and I reach down to pull Charlotte’s sweatshirt hood over her head. Her jersey is worn on the outside of it so she can rock our team proudly.

Getting in line for popcorn and sodas, I’m angsty, ready to find our seats and hear the familiar noise of the fans that will swallow you whole, the cracks of sticks, the skates cutting into the ice. It’s an energy unlike anything else. Fuck, I miss playing but watching is such a good time.

After grabbing snacks, we head to find our seats, which is fairly easy when the GM gives you rinkside tickets—right next to the penalty box. Charlie takes in the enormous rink stretching out before us, her excitement written all over her sweet little face as she sees it all for the first time. Sure, I’ve been taking her to the high school rink since she could walk, determined for her to know how to skate, but this is different.

The Zamboni makes its slow passes around the ice, and she watches it with rapt attention while she munches on her popcorn. I take my seat between Hannah and Charlie, my hand moving to Hannah’s thigh and squeezing to get her attention. The bright smile that I love so much fills her face, her cheeks pink, the gorgeous lavender of her hair reflecting the light andgiving her a little halo. A knot forms in the center of my chest, aching, and I rub my fist against it. She’s so goddamn beautiful, and I love this woman more than anything.

Leaning into her ear so she can hear me more easily, I whisper, “You miss watching me play?”

“You know I lived for those games, I think I only missed a few. Minus the ones you missed because of your suspension, those were pointless for me to go to.”

“Worth it.”

She gives me a little laugh, slapping my chest playfully. Grabbing her wrist, I bring her hand to my mouth, placing a kiss on the delicate skin on the inside of it. Threading my fingers through hers, I hold her hand with the back of mine resting on her thigh, my thumb rubbing back and forth slowly against her, giving her the touch I know she craves.

“This is seriously awesome. Thank you for bringing us, bear.”

There’s a sharp pinch in my chest when she uses that nickname, but it’s slowly getting easier, especially after I know she’ll moan out my name later when she’s coming for me. I can be both for her. As long as we’re together.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and even though I don’t want to, I take it out to check.

Dallas: How the fuck did you end up with Seattle tickets?

Sawyer: Why are we looking at your ugly mug on the TV? RINKSIDE

Carter: Total bullshit

Dallas: You’ve got no room to complain. Weren’t you the one invited to use the vacation home of some Washington elite asshole this coming summer?

Sawyer: Yeah, fuck off, Casanova. Whose dick did you have to suck to get that shit?

Carter: Fuck off. Not my problem I’m personable and people actually like me over you growly fuckers

A laugh bursts from my lips, and I lean into Hannah to show her my phone.

“You didn’t tell them? You’re so bad.”

“No way, they would have tried to make me take them. And then I’d have to choose between the three of them.”

“Or they would have tied you down and gone just the three of them.”

“Psh, not without one helluva fight. They’d be rolling in here with busted lips and shiners.”

“So violent. Maybe that’s what Lo and I need. A good brawl. I’d love to punch her in the nose one of these days.”

“A little knockaround in a ring might do Harlow some good. And you,” I tell her, bringing my attention back to my family chat.

Me: Ya snooze ya lose, fuckers. GM called looking for a needle in a haystack and guess who found it for him?

Sawyer: Those should have gone to the CEO

Dallas: And there he goes again. Reminding us that big bad Sawyer is the boss.

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