Page 119 of Full Tilt
“Us.”
I pull back at her single-worded response. “What?”
“Us,” she repeats with a bright smile. “He won’t botherusagain.” She wraps her arms around my waist as I tower over her. “I’d already decided this in the shower, but now I’m a thousand percent sure of it. I want to take the next step with you. And I want us to tell my brother together. It’s time to build some bridges, Tommy.”
CHAPTER FORTY
TOMMY
“You have to be the only person I know who would want to come to the beach at the height of winter,” I whisper into Jenna’s ear as she looks out over the horizon.
The moon reflects off the water, glowing against her cheeks.
She scrunches up her nose. “I don’t care much for the sun. I’m a fall and winter girl myself.”
I look around us. We’re the only crazy people for miles, buried under thick winter coats and sitting on a single plaid blanket, eating sandwiches.
It’s been a few days since Jenna and I made it official, and tomorrow, her brother arrives for the holidays. When I asked Jenna where she wanted me to take her for our second date, expecting her to suggest the movies or a cutesy restaurant downtown, I probably shouldn’t have been shocked when she told me Coney Island.
I’ve never been here, but I have to admit, she was right about the spectacular light displays.
“You’re like a magpie or something,” I tell her, reaching across the blanket and interlacing our fingers as we both sit, staring out at the ocean.
“What?!” She bursts out laughing. “Why do I remind you of some random bird?”
I don’t immediately answer, taking the time to appreciate the way she giggles in my presence. Seeing the relaxed side of Jenna is relatively new to me. And while I love every part of her personality, even moments when she scorns at me, seeing my girlfriend light up like this is something special.
“Magpies like bright and shiny things,” I reply. “They’re attracted to sparkles.”
“You know that’s a myth, right?” she volleys back.
“Myth or not,” I cast my hand out across the shining ocean and then around me at the twinkling lights. “The sentiment is still the same, and I’m willing to bet that Christmas is one of your favorite times of the year.”
Beneath the dark sky, I see the way she blushes as she says, “Maybe.”
I release a sigh, kicking some sand out with my boot.
“Oh, don’t be such a Scrooge!” she announces, pressing her palm into the center of my chest.
I collapse onto my back, and she hovers over me.
Her hair falls around us both, shielding us from some of the biting wind that has turned the tip of her nose pink.
“How was practice today?” she asks. “Are you feeling ready for the big game against the Scorpions?”
We’re nowhere near the end of the season, but Saturday’s home game against one of our oldest rivals is paramount.
“All the guys are feeling the pressure. Especially Archer. If he can keep their forward, Jessie Callaghan, at bay, then we have a shot at coming away with the W.”
She nods her head in understanding. I fucking love that Jenna is into hockey and sports.
Reaching up, I slowly pull at the zipper on her coat, memories of the way I teased her with her sports bra roaring back to life.
She blushes and places her hand over mine. “When we get back to my place. It’s way too fucking cold out here for sex.”
Looping my arms around her back, I roll us over until I’m on top. “I love you. So fucking much. These past few weeks, even the past few days … they’ve been some of my best, and I just want you to know that.”
“I know, and I’m having the best time.” She kisses the tip of my nose, and I can’t help but whimper, already desperate to leave and get her in bed. “Have you spoken to your mom?”
