Page 121 of Trade Deadline

I know he’s just said it, but I need the reassurance that I’m not imagining things.

“Yeah, you’re staying in Chicago, probably for a long time too. I was gonna tell you tomorrow and surprise you with the news, but given the shitstorm, I’m telling you now. If you want it, Thunder have offered another eight years, including a no-trade clause.”

I look up at Alex.

Those beautiful blue eyes are still glistening with tears, but now they’re sparkling with happiness and relief too. I’m unable to resist, so I lean in and kiss him, just a quick press of my lips to his. Like I need his kisses to give me life.

“Fuck yeah, I do.” I say with a grin.

Alex’s bright smile as he gives me a thumbs up squeezes my heart.

“Awesome, I’ll meet up with you tomorrow to sign the new contract, and Blaine?”

“Yeah?”

“I wanna meet Alex. Make a reservation for lunch because it’s time I meet the man who has turned you into a sap.”

We both laugh.

Alex leans in and says into the phone. “I’d love to meet you, Hayden.”

“You might regret that!” Hayden sings through the phone.

I laugh. “Don’t be a dick.”

“I won’t, scouts’ honor. Anyway, I gotta go, but keep your lips sealed about Petford until the team announces it.”

“Wait, how do you know?”

“It’ll all make sense when you find out, but for now, keep it a secret, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

We say our goodbyes, and when I place the phone back on the nightstand, a huge sigh of relief escapes me. Dropping my head into my hands, I take a moment to come to terms with everything.

“Fuck,” I say into my hands, “I’ve never been so fucking scared in my life.”

“I know, baby,” he whispers, crawling into my lap and wrapping his arms around my shoulders. His palm rubs soothing circles across my back, and I hide my face in his neck, breathing in his scent, and wrap my arms tight around his waist. I’m afraid to let go in case I wake up and this has all been a dream.

“I meant what I said,” he mumbles into my hair.

“Are you trying to say the trade deadline didn’t really matter?” I ask.

“It never did. I would follow you to the ends of the earth if it meant I got to be with you.”

I lift my head, meeting those gorgeous eyes that captivated me that first night. “I love you.”

And I fucking love the pink flush of his cheeks, and how his ears turn a deep crimson every time I say those three words.

“I love you, too.”

I press my lips against his, and what starts as a gentle kiss ends up in a heated assault of tongues and muffled moans. My hands graze over the soft expanse of his back before cupping his neck as our mouths fuse together, exchanging kisses like oxygen.

We’re gasping for breath when we part, and I lean my forehead against his.

“I love everything about you, every inch of your body. I love the way you smile, the way you laugh. I love the way you blush all the way to your ears. I love how curly your hair goes when it's wet and how you press your freezing toes against my leg in bed.” I begin.

He lets out a small, choked laugh as a single tear falls down his face.

“I realize now that it was you I needed in my life to complete me. You’re the reason my relationships and dates didn’t work out, because the universe knew it wasyou. I was meant to be with you. I was scared I wasn’t worthy of love, then you walked into my life.”

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