Page 121 of Unmasking Love
“You won’t know until you try.” Wes says and I wish he was here to give me a hug instead of across the country for work. We say our goodbyes and I promise to call him tomorrow.
Aiden got me the two seats behind the net for the rest of the season. They’re company seats for a local law firm. He bought them out and offered up club level seats if they wanted them. I've come to know the season ticket holders around me and I’ve built a little community of hockey fans to watch the games with. They know I'm with Aiden, it became obvious when he blew me a kiss with his mit a few games ago. But I don't want to shy away from our relationship anyway.
Even though something is irking me, I can easily admit that Aiden makes me feel whole in a way I've never felt before. Like mebeingthere is enough. We haven't said the words yet but they've been on the tip of my tongue countless times since Florida.
When he brings me a coffee on the way back from his morning ride.
I love you.
When he rearranges the dishwasher after I've loaded it.
I love you.
When he's running his hand up and down my arm while we sit together at the end of the day.
I love you.
When he smiles at me through his goalie mask.
I love you.
And, yes, every time he makes me come so hard I see stars. I want to scream it.
I love you!
But the resistance I’m sensing in him has kept a lock on my admission. There is no way in hell I’m going to say them before he does.
He’ll be the first one I say them to and I’m not about to stick my neck out if there’s a chance he doesn’t feel the same way.
He introduced me to his parents via FaceTime last weekend. I could tell he was a little nervous but he didn’t need to be. They're wonderful and funny and I can see Aiden in both of them just from our one conversation.
They were surprised to hear I had moved in but they recovered from the shock pretty quickly. Aiden started telling them about our day-to-day routine and his mom commented how nicely I fit into it.
I held back from telling her I think about how to make myself more useful to Aiden every day because I don’t want to overstay my welcome. Without Aiden’s offer I wouldn’t be working on my home.
Progress is being made on the house. It should be ready for me by April. That's just six weeks away. It feels crazy that they could essentially gut the place and get it turned around and livable in three months but Sean is good and ensures me he sticks to his timelines.
With Wes out of town for work this week, I asked Ivanna if she'd sit with me. I meet her at the guest services office before I take her to my seats. We both stand along the glass and wave at the guys when they come out for warmups. Then she turns to me.
"So how are you managing?"
"Managing what?"
"Being a hockey girlfriend?"
"Oh, fine. We're good. Why?" Has she heard something? I know the guys are all close so maybe Aiden complained about me and it got back to her. Do the other girls know?
"I'm just checking darling," she pats my knee. "It's exciting to have a new girl in the mix but since Aiden doesn't let you sit with us up in the family suite I don't get to check on you."
I laugh, "It's not that he doesn'tletme, he just likes having me behind the net."
"Mhmm," she says and I feel the need to come to his defense.
"His parents live really far away and I don't think they come to a lot of games. So he likes knowing I'm here."
"Of course dear! And goalies certainly are their own breed."
Weturn back to the ice and watch the guys take a few shots on Aiden. They circle around and fling pucks in his direction. After a few he skates out and goes to stretch near the bench.
