I shrug because I find myself asking the same thing. With my throat thick with emotion, I smile. “A lot of people ask themselves that.”
But she doesn’t laugh or even smile. “Well, no other girl will ever ask that, ’cause you’re mine.”
“And you’re mine, even the broken pieces.”
Closing her eyes, she whispers, “You can ignore them.”
But I shake my head, which causes her to open her eyes, confusion deep in her gaze. “No, I’ll never ignore any part of you, especially the broken parts. Those are the parts that need the most attention, the parts I’m gonna help put back together.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes, still flooding with tears. “I would give you a billion dots right now if we were texting.”
Grinning, I dig my fingers into her back. “I’ll take a kiss instead.”
“Done,” she says before crashing her mouth to mine.
As we kiss, I feel whole.
So much more than before.
And as much as I want to tell her I love her, this isn’t the time. I want her to see that I’m here for her, that I’m in it to win it, before I drop the love bomb on her.
But when I do, when I say it, she’ll never ever feel anything but my love.
For the rest of her life.
My heart is in my throat.
My body is vibrating with nerves.
But I’m ready.
Fucking ready.
As I stand in the hall, listening to each of my boys’ numbers and their names, I rock back and forth, excitement rushing through my veins. I have been waiting for this moment, the moment when I’m on the ice, shining brightly, not in anyone’s shadow, and murdering my opponent while my family watches.
And Avery.
I can’t wait for her to see how awesome I am. To know I’m going to look up and see her sitting next to my mom… Man, I’m pretty sure that’s the main reason I’m so excited. Because things have been good. I mean, I know it’s only been a day since she opened up to me, but things feel right. Like they’re supposed to. And when she looks at me, I know she’s almost there. I feel like we are really in a relationship now, and I couldn’t be happier. Well, winning all our games then the championship, before going first in the draft and doing it all with Avery by my side would make me really happy. But all that will happen.
All in due time.
I swallow hard, and Markus looks back at me, grinning. “Ready?”
“Born ready, brother,” I say as we tap gloves and his name is announced. Heading out of the tunnel like a rocket, he skates onto the ice, his hands up in the air as the cheers get louder. It’s almost my turn, and as the butterflies go nuts in my belly, I feel like I’m on top of the world, especially when my name is called.
“And now, your captain, number thirty-two, Jace Sinclair!”
The roar of the crowd is overwhelming as I take off out of the tunnel and onto the ice with ease, going the short distance to the blue line with my boys. Lifting my head, I look up, searching the crowd for my family. I see my mom first, jumping up and down, a sign in her hands that says, “That’s my baby!” It’s her signature sign. I’m pretty sure it’s the same one from when Jude and Jayden played, not that I mind. I love it. Next, I see Angie, then Lucy, along with Jude and Jayden, Claire and Baylor standing below them, all of them screaming and clapping loudly. Sucking in a deep breath, my face breaks into a grin as I look toward where the rink doors are open and Avery takes the ice.
When Avery told me she was singing tonight, I couldn’t wait. And as she holds the mic to her mouth, I can see the nervousness in her eyes. Closing her eyes, she starts, and I swear she sounds like an angel. Looks like one too, with my hoodie on and a pair of jeans. She sings with all the gusto she can manage. It’s amazing, and when she hits the climax of the song, her hand coming up as she holds the note, I’m blown away, along with the rest of the crowd. I tap my stick to the ice, my boys following as she finishes. Looking right at me, she blows me a kiss, and all I can do is grin. I’m so proud of her, and I’m ready to make her proud of me.
As I skate around, keeping my legs warm while the rest of the team takes the bench and we get ready to start the game, I look around for my dad. When I find him, Ellen is sitting next to him and that bothers me. It’s bad enough he’s here, but he had to bring her? Damn it. But no, I can’t let that bother me. I have to focus.
One-track mind.
Winning.
Lining up, Markus and Gordon on either side of me, I feel my heart pounding in anticipation. I look to Markus and he nods, and then I turn to Gordon, and he does the same. We are ready. Sucking my mouthguard back into my mouth, I meet the gaze of my opponent and grin.