Page 287 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
It’s her voice that brings me back, and as Casey passes me, my hand shoots out, my fingers wrapping around her wrist, stopping her.
“Stay,” I breathe.
The reality is that this is a hospital, and she’s been here for hours already. It’s probably the last place she wants to be.
The game finished hours ago. She’d probably almost be home by now if it weren’t for Sutton.
I should let her go.
But I’m fed up with doing what I should do.
It’s making me fucking miserable.
And now, she’s right here, and it’s where I want her to stay.
She freezes at my side, her breath catching in her throat at my demand.
It takes her a moment—a moment which feels like a fucking lifetime—before she turns to look up at me.
Her eyes are red rimmed from crying, the shadows beneath them dark with exhaustion.
Let her go, a little voice screams in my head.
But I can’t.
“I’m sorry, I?—”
“I can stay,” she says softly, her eyes searching mine. I have no idea what she’s looking for, or if she finds it, but after a moment, her shoulders relax.
A huge sigh of relief passes my lips, but I don’t let go of her. I can’t.
The warmth from her skin and the electric sparks that shoot up my arm are too addictive.
“Would you like another coffee?” she asks when no other words are said.
“Uh…”
“I’ll go and get us some. Sutton,” she says, ripping her eyes from me and focusing on my sleepy-looking daughter. “Would you like anything?”
Sutton shakes her head. “Gran’s bringing me candy,” she says with a smile.
“I’ll be right back,” she says before slipping from my grasp and moving toward the door.
The second she pulls it open and steps outside, I panic.
Spinning on the balls of my feet, I race after her.
“Casey,” I call.
She turns around instantly, her eyes wide with panic, but when her eyes land on me, her expression softens.
“I’m just going for coffee,” she says softly.
“Please come back.”
I know I don’t have any right to ask that of her. I’ve been an asshole. She deserves much better, but…I don’t want her to leave.
A smile pulls at the corners of her lips.
