Page 209 of Wrong Pucking Player

“Whatcha standing here for? We gotta go.”

I can’t help but reach out and pull her against me, and the action of giving her a hug in the middle of the hall like this makes her whole body grow rigid.

“Uh… Armani?” she sounds stunned before she’s quietly whispering, “Oscar? Hey. What’s wrong?”

God. This woman. I can’t lose her. Not to anyone who dares wish harm to her.

“Just a minute,” I whisper and inhale her sweet aroma that reminds me of a field of blossoming daisies. “One solid minute.”

She relaxes before she hugs me back.

“The news bothers you?”

I don’t mind being honest about that.

“They deserve better,” I quietly confess. “I’m tired of being around those who want nothing but to see us suffer.”

To see my girl suffer all because she’s falling in love with me.

“Then let’s fight to change it.”

I pull back just enough to peer down at her.

“Things may look like they’re set in stone, but maybe we can change it. I don’t know how, but we can try,” she suggests with hopefulness. “If Maddox can get some of these contracts that were signed and sealed altered, so can we.”

“Aren’t you a determined tiger,” I mumble.

“Kitten,” she corrects. “I’m still small and cute. Just don’t piss me off, or you’ll be sorry.”

“Thanks for the warning,” I reply, and can’t help but admire her. Despite what happened, she’s still keeping her hopes up. “I don’t think we’re meeting tonight.”

“I figured,” she admits. “Wanna chill at my place?”

“I need to water the plants,” I admit.

My way of saying yes…

“It’s a plan then,” she hums and pulls from my grasp but takes my right hand in her grasp. “Netflix and watering plants, with Muffin serenading us with her best rendition of Meow Tales.”

“Mittens.”

“We’re going to fight against this name for all eternity, so just give up.”

“I’m stubborn,” I mutter, which makes her laugh.

“I know.” She glances back at me. “Me, too.”

We share a look before I tug her just lightly enough, so she’s forced to take a step back.

“Arman—”

Leaning down, I seal her lips with mine with a single kiss. The touch is everything to me, calming the tidal wave of emotions running through me.

Soon enough, there’s nothing but silence as I shove them out of sight within my mind. It’s time to get back to securing my passion for playing hockey, and that means focusing on the tasks at hand.

“Thanks, Kenzie,” I whisper the moment our lips part. “For coming to find me.”

Her whole face is red as she looks completely bewildered. Then she’s standing on her tiptoes to check my temperature.

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