Page 75 of Jesse and the Ice Princess
Her breath shuddered on the way out. "I just skated a short program, a long program, and a full hockey game. I think the exhaustion is winning out over the pain."
"Come on." He slipped his glove off so he could take her hand. Both their helmets dangled from his free hand. He kicked open the locker room door. "Everyone better be decent." Not waiting for a response, he pulled Charlotte in.
The guys hadn't yet undressed to hit the showers. Machinehead blared from speakers on the wall as the team celebrated their win. They cheered as Jesse and Charlie entered.
Jesse pushed through the crowd to where Coach stood at the back. "Coach, Charlie probably needs looked at after that blocked shot."
His eyes widened. "You're right. Come on, let's find your mother. She'll help you."
They didn't have to look far. Mrs. Morrison waited outside the room, a giant smile on her face. "You were wonderful, Charlie!" She pulled her daughter into a hug, tears glistening in her eyes. It was so different from what he'd seen from the woman before, and he didn't know how to act.
Charlie's legs wobbled, and her knees gave out beneath her. Jesse jumped forward to catch her.
"I'm okay," Charlie wheezed.
"Take her to my office," Coach said.
Jesse hoisted her into his arms—not an easy thing with her gear. When he got to Coach's office, he lowered Charlie into a chair. The quiet was a shock after the loud arena and even louder hockey game.
Charlie sighed as she bent to remove her skates. "I think I could sleep for a week."
She shoved her skates under the chair and smoothed a hand over her sweaty ponytail. Tendrils of hair broke free, giving the usually proper girl a wild look.
"What are you smiling at?" she asked.
His grin widened. "Just... I like seeing you like this."
"Sweaty and gross?"
He laughed. "Unkempt and relaxed."
"Don't get used to it. I haven't changed that much."
He leaned toward her. "Then it's a good thing I like every version of you."
Her eyes shifted between his as if trying to determine the truth in his words.
"We did it," she whispered, her eyes sliding closed for a fraction of a second. "I don't think I'll ever forget this day."
He ran his fingertips from her cheek down her neck before tugging on the top of her jersey. "You look good in that."
"So, Jesse Carrigan." Her voice took on an announcer's tone, and she held out a fist like it was a microphone. "How weird is it to kiss one of your teammates?"
"I don't know." He leaned closer. "I think that's an answer that will need some time."
"And testing."
"Yes," he whispered against her lips. "Lots and lots of testing." He grinned as he kissed her again, wondering if he'd ever get used to feeling like this, like there was something drawing them together. He'd dated a lot of girls before, but only because it was expected. Because the girls were cute or nice.
But Charlie... he needed her like he'd never needed any girl.
Like he'd never let himself need anything.
From his experience, relying on people only led to disappointment. Yet, Charlie was different, and if she disappointed him one day, he'd at least have experienced something great in his life.
Falling for someone was a risk.
But a risk he'd take with Charlotte a thousand times over.
