Page 157 of Face Off

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“You,” I say. “I was telling your dad how much I care about you. How important you are to me.”

“Oh.” Her smile matches the one she gives me late at night. When she’s half asleep and curled around me, refusing to let go. “I care about you, too, pretty boy.”

I huff out a laugh and stand up. “We’ve got to head out, sir, but we’ll see you after the game,” I tell Alan.

“You two play hard out there. And take your time with finding the words, Maverick. She’s worth the wait,” he says with a wink.

“Why do I feel like you two have a secret?” Emmy asks, and I drape my arm around her shoulder.

“Maybe we do, Red, and one day I’ll tell you all about it.”

I love you, I think, when we head to the locker room.

I love you, I think, when we celebrate her goal in the first period.

I love you,I think, when we win the game and she jumps in my arms.

I love you,I think, when she rests her head on my shoulder in the hotel elevator after we get back from dropping Alan off in Lansing.

I love you, I love you, I love you, I want to scream.

When she kisses my chest before we fall asleep, I think she loves me too.

FORTY-FIVE

EMMY

Pretty Boy

I miss you.

Me

I’m out with Hudson right now.

Pretty Boy

The fuck?

Me

Our dads are best friends, so now we’re best friends.

He needs a new personal chef, so I’m wingwomaning for him at a cooking class.

Pretty Boy

… Are you fucking with me?

Me

Open your door and find out.

Maverick dragsme into his apartment before I have a chance to knock. He pins me against the wall and puts his hands on either side of my head.

“Hi, Emmy girl,” he murmurs.

“Hi, pretty boy.” I touch his cheek, and he melts against me. “How was your afternoon off?”

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