Page 63 of Levi

I don’t thinkI’ve ever gotten ready and through post-game interviews as quickly as I did tonight. There was something about seeing Quinn wearing my jersey that just made me want to race to claim her.

Between that and wanting to check in with Nana and Nurse Holly to see how they enjoyed the game, I’m just not in the mood to be a people pleaser tonight.

I’ll try to take a little extra time during my next round of interviews to make up for it a bit. I just didn’t have it in me tonight. I’ve tried to shove my feelings down, tried to dull them as much as I could, but I can’t anymore. The second I saw her up in the stands tonight, with my name on her back, I knew that was exactly what I wanted.

My name all over her.

She’s mine—even if she doesn’t know it yet.

Post-game went much quicker since Coach wasn’t in the mood to talk, making for a faster exit. He was furious Quinn wasn’t there. I heard him talking to the assistant coach, specifically leaving out that she quit.

The only time he talked to me outside of yelling at me on the ice was when I was leaving, and the fact that I didn’t hit him should win me some sort of medal or something.

“Where the fuck was Quinn tonight?” Coach Ronnie growled as he walked up to me the second I’d changed.

“She was watching the game,” I told him with a shrug, Jax and Nash both shooting me a warning glance, but I couldn’t have cared less.

“Why wasn’t she working?”

“Well sir, last I heard, she quit, so as far as she’s concerned, she didn’t have anywhere to be.”

The guys look at us wide-eyed as Coach and I stare each other down, his face reddening by the second “This is all your fault, Crosby, and you’ll be on the next plane outta here if I have my way,” Coach growls, but I don’t care. Like I said, I’ll quit if that’s what it comes down to, because I’m at the point in my life where I’m going to put my family first.

Fuck the rest.

“Nah, Coach, it wasn’t me who drove her to quit. Like she said, talk to your other niece, then you’ll know who to point that judgey ass finger at,” I say casually, grabbing my bag and walking away, leaving Coach standing there, shocked.

Like I said, fuck the rest.

* * *

“Did the girls already grab a table?”I ask Miles as we turn into the bar, the smell of beer hitting me in the face.

“Yup, they got here about thirty minutes ago and grabbed a drink,” Miles says as I scan the bar, smiling when I see Quinn and Stella sitting in our usual corner booth. It doesn’t surprise me. I mean, even if Quinn didn’t know our usual routine, Stella would be aware of it, since Miles has taken her here a few times when they’ve been in town on a non-game night.

I'm not sure how long I stand there staring, but it's apparently long enough for Miles to grab us both a shot of bourbon.

“Cheers, brother,” he says as he catches me looking at Quinn. “So have you come to terms with it yet?”

“With what?”

“How down bad you are for that girl. Have you realized just how in love with her you are?” Miles says quietly, and I look at him, surprising us both.

“Yeah, actually, I have. I just haven't had the chance to tell her,” I say with a smile before looking back at Quinn, who's talking to Stella, both laughing. When they notice us, they both wave, and we cheers and down our shots before heading their way.

“Hey, Q,” I say as I slide in next to her, planting a kiss on the side of her head.

“Hey,” she says quietly, turning to look at me with her shy smile. “You did great tonight.”

“Thanks,” I whisper. “And you looked great tonight. I love the outfit…although I think I'll love it more when I'm fucking you in it,” I say only for her to hear as I nuzzle her neck, pulling her into me as she giggles.

Looking up, I see Stella and Miles watching us, both smirking, but I don’t have a care in the world. Everything feels perfect right now. I mean, besides Coach being a dick, which isn't too far from normal, everything has been perfect.

“Nice game,” Stella says as she pours another beer.

“Don't compliment him on a win when I'm right here,” Miles pouts, but Stella just rolls her eyes and ignores him. “Not my fault they won! Just congratulating him since I can't congratulate you here,” Stella says, and I can only imagine what sort of celebrations those two have planned.

“Thanks, Stella. It was definitely fun. But Miles, don't be so sensitive. You played your best too,” I tease, and he kicks me under the table.

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