Page 84 of Puck'N Enemy
I finally laugh, a little breathless with joy, and wipe my face with the back of my glove. All my muscles are screaming for relief but I don’t care. For the first time in my life, I’m not standing on the outside, watching others get cheered for. They’re all here for me and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Several hours have passed since the game but my heart still hasn’t calmed down. Standing at the sink, I rinse the last of the dishes from the late-night dinner Maddie insisted on having instead of going to a restaurant.
Since Coach Becker has to be on a strict diet, I agreed to the idea of eating at home. This way, he can have the food I prepared for him earlier while the rest of us can indulge in pizzas and Chinese food.
The kitchen is littered with pizza boxes, half-eaten chicken wings, and empty soda cans but they just make me smile. For once, I was the center of the loud, messy dinner party instead of being the forgotten one. I was a part of their celebration and I enjoyed every bit of it.
When I’m done cleaning up, I dry my hands on a towel and go into the living room. Logan’s on the couch, half-asleep with his head tipped back and his long legs stretched out.
Mitchikov took Maddie home while Coach Becker headed to bed early. Only Logan’s still here with me, refusing to leave my side.
Quietly padding over to the couch, I stand quietly and simply watch him.
He’s so damn handsome and strongly built. My gaze roves over his muscular forearms and slides down his flat, muscled abs. He’s so damn sexy andmine, it makes my chest hurt. It’s the kind of ache that comes from loving someone too deeply.
“You’re staring,” Logan murmurs, his eyes still closed, a lazy smile tugging at his lips.
“Just making sure you’re not dreaming of your boyfriend.”
He cracks one eye open. “Why bother dreaming of him when I have him right here?” Suddenly reaching out, he grabs my wrist and pulls me down on the couch.
“Hey!” I gasp, falling on him.
Logan shifts to make room and tucks me against his side.
“I still feel high from the game,” I confess after a beat. “Not just because we won. But… everything.”
“You were incredible out there,” he says, running his fingers through my hair. “You skated so hard at times, you were a green blur on the ice.”
A chuckle escapes me but I go quiet the next moment. “I noticed the way Coach Becker was watching me. The way he smiled when I scored, I’ll never forget it.”
Logan’s hand pauses. “He’s proud of you, Dylan. We all are.”
“I know,” I say softly. “It’s just… new. You remember how it was before. After games in high school, I’d just sit alone in the locker room and wait until everyone left. There was no one to cheer for me or bring me snacks and juice. It was the same when I played hockey in Florida.”
“I remember those days,” Logan says in a grim tone. “I didn’t understand you at first but then, we became friends and I learned about everything. Since then, I’ve wanted to become your family and make you happy.”
“I got used to that life,” I tell him. “I thought that was just my place, you know?”
Logan nods, squeezing my hand.
“But today, you were there. Maddie, Mitchikov, and Coach, too. I didn’t feel like a ghost among my other teammates.”
Hooking a finger under my chin, he lifts my face until I meet his gaze. “You just needed the right people to find you. That’s all.”
His words make me swallow hard. “I’m so glad you saw me even when I didn’t want to be seen.”
“I’ll always be by your side,” he whispers. “No matter where you go. No matter what you do. I’ll always be the idiot screaming the loudest in the stands for you.”
A loud laugh escapes me. “Even when I’m old and out of shape?”
“Especially then.” He grins and leans in, brushing his lips over mine.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him closer for a deeper kiss.
He grunts, sliding his tongue through my parted lips. His fingers dig into my hair and pull hard at the strands, adding a touch of pain to the hot, molten pleasure washing over me.
I close my eyes, letting the warmth of Logan's touch soak into my skin. The taste of bitter coffee and sour candies floods my tongue, making me crave the familiarity of his kiss.
