Page 60 of Uniquely in Love

The one who was sleeping a few doors down from me. The one who broke my heart.

The one I couldn’t have.

I wasn’t sure how much longer I could ignore the pull I felt to her. Especially when she looked at me like she wanted me to kiss her.

And damn, did I want to stop pretending that I didn’t want that too.

We playedCalgary three nights later, and I came home to find Ellie asleep on the couch, the TV channel still turned on to the one that broadcast the game.

I liked her watching me, even when she wasn’t in the arena. Part of me wanted to insist that she come to every game, that she was always in the stands cheering for me, but I knew that was a lot to ask of her. Especially when she had to leave early each morning to teach.

Normally, on game days, I’d wake up right before morning skate and head there, but now, I got up early just to have breakfast with her. Otherwise, I’d hardly see her all day. She would come home from school, eat dinner, and then hole herself up in her room each night. I hated it, because there was this wall between us that hadn’t been there before.

Grabbing the remote off the coffee table, I turned the television off before scooping Ellie up into my arms, blanketand all, and carrying her into her room. She nuzzled her head against my chest, and damn, having her here was everything. Pulling back the comforter, I tucked her into bed, stepping back to watch her sleep. Was it creepy? Maybe.

Her eyes fluttered, and then they were blinking up at me. “Owen?”

“Hey, Skater Girl. You fell asleep on the couch.”

She looked like she was fighting to stay awake. “Oh.”

“Good night.” I leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“Night,” she mumbled, curling up and letting her eyes drift shut again.

God, she was adorable.

Tomorrow, I’d have to get on a plane. At least this time, it was only one game, and then I’d be home. That wouldn’t last, though. Our first road trip of the season was looming in front of me, and I already didn’t know how I was going to be apart from her for almost a week at a time. No part of me wanted to leave, but this was the life I’d chosen. We had three games to play against the California teams, and unfortunately, our first back-to-back game of the season.

Curling a finger around a blonde strand of hair, I tucked it behind her ear. I didn’t know what was happening between us, but I knew I didn’t want things to go backwards. I wanted to do so many things with her. To take her skating again. To take her out to dinner the way she deserved. To care for her the way she deserved.

Things I fully planned to do… as soon as I was back.

“Good morning.”Ellie yawned as she reached for the coffee cup, standing up on her tiptoes. A tiny strip of bare skinshowed between her tank and her pajama shorts, and I tried not to focus on it.

An impossible feat, but hey, I was trying.

“Morning,” I said, voice rough as I sipped on my cup of coffee.

“What time do you have to leave?” Her tone was casual as she poured coffee into a cup, grabbing a bottle of creamer from the fridge and adding it till her drink turned a light brown shade.

I looked at the clock. “Soon.” There was still time before I needed to head out, but not much. Not that it would stop me from getting in a few more moments with her. “I’ll be back tomorrow night, so you’ll only be alone tonight.”

She nodded. “It’ll be fine. I lived alone before, remember?”

I grumbled under my breath, not liking to think about her last apartment. “Have they given you any updates about that place?”

Ellie bit her lip. “No, but it sounds like it’ll be a few months before it’s ready, anyway. Besides, I was going to look for somewhere else to live. I can’t keep mooching off of you forever.”

“Sure you can. I don’t mind you living here. It’s nice that it’s not so quiet anymore.”

“Owen…”

“Stay, Ellie. Please.”

She sighed. “Okay. Just until it’s done.”

I grinned. “Good. Now that’s settled, I’m going to go shower and get ready.”

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