Page 70 of Second-Rate Superstar

My eyes widened, and I slapped a hand over my mouth. “Oh my God. Forget I said that.” That’s not something you asked a guy on the first date. Clearly, my brain was misfiring with the cuteness level radiating from the backseat.

Scanning my face, Braxton reached out a hand to pry mine away gently. “Remember this, Dakota. I am interested ineverythingthat comes out of your mouth.”

Groaning, I closed my eyes, wanting to erase the last few minutes of my life.

“But to answer your question, I used to think about having a family.” His voice was soft, with a hint of sadness in his tone.

Forcing my eyes open, I questioned, “Used to?”

Braxton’s chest expanded with the force of the deep breath he held before releasing it. “I was a dumb kid, caught up in first love—or at least, what I thought was love. Lacey and I had it all planned out. We would have two: a boy and a girl. Even picked out their names—Bentley and Lainey. B on the boy for me and L on the girl for her. So stupid.”

Squeezing the hand that was still holding mine, I whispered, “Not any more stupid than writing love stories and crafting happy endings for fictional characters to move past your mom never getting hers.”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “It’s probably for the best it didn’t work out with her. She would have left the first time there was a threat to my playing career. Injuries are a part of the game, some more serious than others. If I suffered one that took me out of action for a while or maybe even permanently, I have no doubt she would have cut and run. What if we had kids at that point? Would have ruined my life.” His thumb stroked over my knuckles. “And if I’d stayed with Lacey, that would have meant never meeting you.”

The breath caught in my lungs, and I dropped my gaze. But Braxton wasn’t having it. His free hand gripped my chin, tilting my head up so I was forced to meet his eye. There was nowhere to hide from this man.

“Tell me what’s going on in that beautiful mind,” he commanded.

I chewed on my lower lip for a minute before answering honestly. “I understand how past trauma can affect the choices you make for the future better than anyone. I closed myself off and lost myself in books. I figured a fictional man would never let me down. At least not one in a romance novel. They always get the girl, no matter what conflict arises that threatens to tear them apart.”

“And now?” His eyes stared into my soul, and I knew I couldn’t hold back the truth.

“Now I want what they have. A man who will fight for me, a man who would throw himself in the line of fire to protect me, a man whose love for me will consume him.” I let out a bitter laugh. “Not even sure that exists in real life.”

Braxton swallowed, his long throat muscles working, drawing my attention. His voice was raw and deep when he finally spoke. “Firefly, I am that man.”

A gasp tore up my throat, and for the first time in my life, words escaped me. It wasn’t only the nickname that stole my breath—God, I wished he’d bring it out more—but his declaration that he was the type of man I’d built up in my mind, going so far as to immortalize in print, and he wanted me.Me.

It was so overwhelming that I didn’t know how to respond.

Sliding the hand gripping my chin along my jaw, he cupped my cheek, stroking softly with the pad of a calloused thumb. My heart threatened to stop beating at the tenderness in his eyes.

And then he spoke.

“I wasn’t sure I would ever find a girl who could see past all the noise surrounding my life, my identity. I was so close to giving up hope that there was someone out there for me. One that would take me at face value and nothing more.” He chuckled, a soft smile gracing his lips. “Then I met you.And you blew me away with a few simple words. Which I now realize are your weapon of choice, but I came prepared to fight.” His free hand joined its partner on my face. “I haven’t wanted to fight for anything in so long. You sparked something inside of me that I thought was lost forever—hope. Hope that I can make a life with someone. Hope that I might have a family someday. Hope that I can finally be myself.”

“Oh, Braxton.” My heart was lost. He owned it now, and I had a feeling I’d never get it back.

“Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been seen as my own person? Someone more than ‘Jaxon’s brother’?” He paused for a moment, thoughtful. “You know, I’m not sure I ever have.”

“I see you.” The words were simple and few, but I watched Braxton’s face transform. That hope he’d spoken of sparkled in the whiskey depths of his eyes.

“I seeus,” he countered. “I see us finding a little place here in Hartford. It won’t be big, not to start, but it’ll be ours. I see us maybe getting a dog so you won’t be lonely while I’m on the road. I see us staying up all night talking. Getting to know each other so well that we know what the other is going to say before they speak. And yes, I do see us having kids someday. I pray to God that doesn’t scare you off, but I want to be honest about my vision for our future. I don’t care if we have one or ten, so long as they are made from the love we share. A love I’m already beginning to feel for you, Dakota.”

How did I get here?

One night, I went to a house party at a hockey playboy’s home, and somehow landed in this car with a kind and caring man, staring at me likeIwas his salvation while having no clue that he was mine.

And he wasn’t done.

“I thought my brother was crazy when he believed Natalie was his fate. He sat on the sidelines for years, waiting for her. Believing deep down they were meant to be together. Now that I’ve watched their relationship blossom, the love they share? He was right. They’re a perfect match. Without her, he would have never become the man he is by her side. And the same goes for Natalie. He brought her back to life when she was barely hanging on, trying to survive. So, how can I not believe you were thrown into my path that night for a reason? That you are the one person placed on this Earth I was meant to find?”

Mom, I know you’re up there watching. And if you sent him, thank you.

Braxton’s thumbs spread wetness across my cheeks, and only then did I realize I was crying.

“Was it too much?” His eyes searched mine.

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