Page 40 of Our Hearts to Break

“Take a shower with me.” He hops off the mattress and extends his hand. “I’m not done with you.”

I hesitate because anyone can see us enter the bathroom together. But it wouldn’t be the first time. Our teammates are so used to our unusual behavior that they don’t even blink. Maybe they would be more accepting of us than I think.

“What are you thinking about?” Nate asks, staring at me with genuine concern.

“Wondering what our teammates would say if they knew.”

He shrugs. “They already do.”

“Not for sure.”

“Does it matter?”

I sling my legs off the mattress, pressing my feet to the cold, wooden floor. “I hate keeping secrets from people I care about. I just?—”

“You’re scared,” he finishes for me. “I get it. If I were in your position, I would be, too. You have a lot to lose.”

“I would feel better if I already had a deal with a team locked down.”

A frown pulls at Nate’s mouth. “Now that I have you… I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t,” I promise. “No matter where I am, a part of me will always be with you. Whatever distance separates us will only be temporary.”

“I know.” He scrubs a hand at his jaw and sighs. “But I hate being apart from you.”

Nate gets legitimate withdrawal whenever we’re separated. Over the years, we have never spent more than one week away from each other. Even then, we talked on the phone and texted dozens of times daily.

“You can come with me,” I tell him. “Travel the country and the world with me.”

“Yeah?” Nate cocks his head to the side, licking his lips. “But I have law school in the fall.”

“They have law schools in other states. You’re not stuck here.”

Nate drops to the bed beside me and takes my hand in his, eyes on my face. “I would follow you anywhere.”

Tears prick my eyes. “We’ll know more after the meetings. The Rangers and the Islanders are within driving distance of Kingston University.”

“True, but the Stars are a plane ride away… and so are the Kings.”

“I want to play for one of my home teams.” I pat his hand to ease his concern. “I won’t be that far away.”

“This is your career, Riv. Do what makes you happy. Choose the right team foryou, not what your dad or I want.”

“The Islanders play on Long Island. We could still see each other when I’m playing at home.”

Nate rests his forehead against mine. “Whatever you decide, I will support you.”

ChapterFifteen

NATE

When our teammatesleave the house, I lock the door, excited to be alone with River. He stands beside me, hands shoved into his pockets and biting his lip. My cock jerks at the sight.

“Run,” I say, desperate for him. “I’ll give you a headstart… and you better be naked when I find you.”

He gets in my face. “You’re not the boss of me.”

“No?” I grip his ass and pull him to me. “Who owns this?”

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