“Go to bed, Phoebe.We’ll talk more tomorrow or the next day.Text or email if you want.Be careful.”
She laughs at that.“You’re the one that needs to be careful, dude.You’re seven feet tall, ramming into other big men wearing razor blades on their feet.”
“Yeah, but you’re the one that tripped over a turkey.”
There’s a beat of silence, and then we both laugh.
“I’m never going to live that down, am I?”she asks, her cheeks flushing a lovely pink.
“Probably not.”
“Something to tell the grandkids,” she says.The way her eyes widen, I’m sure it’s something that she said on reflex and didn’t really mean.But I wish she did.
“You’re right, I should probably get some sleep.Do you know what you’re doing for dinner?”
I shake my head.“No idea.I don’t know if there’s a team thing or if we’re on our own.”
“Well, whatever you do, have fun.But not too much fun.”
A chuckle slips out.“No worries, I’m here to play hockey, this isn’t a vacation.You’re not here.”
“Should I be buying a ticket?”she teases.
Um.Yes.Please.
“You’re welcome to come up here for this series or for any game we have.I’ll get you tickets—bus, plane, and game.Say the word.”Then I remember our promise.“But if we’re in Vegas, remember, we can’t get married without your sister.”
“Or your mother.She’d kill us.Have you heard from her yet?”
I need to call my mom, but I don’t know what to tell her.
“She texted yesterday, and I explained stuff.She left us alone last night because we most likely were celebrating our engagement.But she knows our schedule, so I’ll probably hear from her tomorrow.”
“What are you going to tell her?”The way Phoebe worries her bottom lip after asking makes me wish I was there to kiss it and soothe both her lip and her mind.
“The truth.”
“Oh,” she says sadly, looking down at her lap.
“That when I was on the show, I realized you were the only woman I wanted to be kissing, and fate smiled on me when I got traded to the Devil Birds.Being with you confirmed what I already knew—you’re the only woman I want to marry.I proposed, you said yes, and we’re waiting until after your show and my season to get married.”
I never knew brown eyes could be luminous, but Phoebe’s are in this moment.
“Really?”she asks breathlessly.“That’s what you’ll tell her?”
“Of course,” I say firmly.“It’s the truth.It’s my truth.”
“Oh, Ollie…”
If we keep talking, I’m going to start telling more truths, like how much I love her and how much I want her to love me in return.But I’m not going to tell Phoebe I love her for the first time when I’m three hours away and can’t do anything to show her the depth of my desire for her.
“Okay, you go to bed, Phoebe.I’m going to get dinner.Text me whenever you want.Sleep well.”
“Okay.Have a good night.”
“Goodnight.”
Our conversation disconnects.I finally have the freedom to say what I’ve been holding back the whole time.
