Page 119 of Fear of Love
My fingers grazed the skin at the nape of his neck. I gazed up at him, memorizing every inch of his face. I traced the light scar on the bridge of his nose that he got in a fight on the ice while in uni. I wanted to continue staring at his face for as long as he’d let me.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” I found myself asking. I know we cleared it up a few hours ago before the wedding, but I needed to hear the words. “You. Me. Us?”
“Lydia.” Landon’s hands on my lower back pulled me a tiny bit closer. “I’ve wantedthisfor awhile now. I just wasn’t sure where your head was at about it. We have a lot to talk about. Things we need to work through, but if you’ll let me, I’ll be right here every single day.”
We did have a lot to work through and talk about as we went forward, but there was no one else I’d rather do that with.
“I know I can be a bit… difficult at times,” I admitted. “I have some things I need to work through on my own, but I want to doit all with you.” I took a deep breath as I looked into his eyes. “I love you.”
That was the first time in well over six years I said those three little words. I wasn’t even sure I was capable of feeling that way for someone else after Jared. Yet here I was, in the arms of a man I’ve fallen completely head over heels for.
Landon’s hands left my lower back and cupped my face. He stared down at me with the softest smile.
“I wanted to be the one to say it first, but I guess I’ll go second.” He tilted my head up just a tad. “I love you Lydia Ellis.”
The feeling that washed over me was indescribable. There were no words for how I felt hearing him say those three words. Landon was the last person I thought would love me, but he was also the right person to love me.
Not trusting my voice, I did the only thing I could at that moment. I pressed my lips to his, gripping the back of his head as I poured my love into him.
In the middle of the dance floor at our best friend’s wedding, we kissed like the whole world vanished. For the first time, I felt loved, seen, and cared for. It was because of Landon Boone that I no longer feared love.
34
LYDIA
Three Weeks Later….
“Thankyou all for coming to Hockey for Kids,” Landon greeted the crowd from his spot on a makeshift platform so he could see everyone. “This is our first year doing this, but the turnout has already been incredible.”
I stood off to the side, watching my boyfriend talk with a proud smile. The days leading up to this event made him nervous. Not that he would say that, but he wanted the event to go off without a hitch.
There’d been so much planning involved with getting food trucks to come, matching the schedule with the Knights during the playoffs, and making sure there were enough pucks and sticks for all the kids that were attending.
For the last three weeks, Landon worked overtime to make sure everything was perfect. As I stood here, seeing just how many people showed up, I could safely say today was going to be a success.
“Feel free to get some skates before heading onto the ice. In about ten minutes, the first mini tournament will start, led byBryton Young.” A wave of cheers from the kids echoed through the rink at Bryton’s name.
He stood by the rink, along with Trevor and Wyatt, waiting to get started. Other Knights players were scattered around to help out as well.
“Snacks and drinks are over there.” Landon pointed to the other side of the rink where vending machines and tables filled with food were laid out. “There are also food trucks out front if you want to try them. I highly recommend Rick’sif you want a good burger and fries.” I already made a vow to get something later.
“If you need anything, let me, or any of these people off to the side, know.” Landon gestured to me and the others beside me. I flashed a small smile as Josie, Tasha, Mila, Evelyn, and Emily raised their hands so everyone knew who to come to. “Hope you all have a great time.”
Landon stepped down as the crowd in front of us dispersed to grab skates, talking in loud voices. All the kids were practically bouncing on their toes to get on the ice.
“Five…four…three…two…one,” Tasha whispered next to me as we watched a huge group of kids head straight for Wyatt, Trevor, and Bryton. While the rest of the team came to help with the event, most of the kids were drawn to those three. It was hard not to be.
“Kids just worship them,” Josie remarked, smiling at her husband who squatted down to talk to a few boys.
“We won’t be seeing them until the event is over.” Mila wasn’t wrong. Hockey for Kids was supposed to go from ten o’clock to four, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it went past that. When word got out, thanks to the magazine and word of mouth, that the top hockey team in the league was going to be at an event for kids, people started flocking.
Tickets sold out within hours. If Landon decided to do this again, it would be twice as big as this one. From the charity event last year and this one, Landon’s rink was already tripling in revenue as kids came to skate. He told me the other night he was going to have to hire more people, which was incredible.
“Guess I better get to work.” Josie held up her camera. She was here to take pictures for our next issue. With a smile, she headed for the boards to start.
“Speaking of work, has anyone seen Mateo?” I asked, looking around for a familiar mop of sandy hair.
“He messaged me saying he would be here any minute. Something about school work he had to finish first,” Evelyn supplied with a shrug.
