“And I’m not saying this because I feel like I have to. Alondra, you make me want to be a better person. I want to open up to you like I never have with anyone else, and I want to find out what it means to be in a relationship with you. You’re so strong and the most beautiful person.” I smile at her as she sniffles and wipes her nose on the back of her sleeve. “I love you. I’m in love with you. I feel every type of love I could possibly have for you, and I want to know what it’s like to be called yours.”
“You love me?” she asks, her hazel eyes welling up with unshed tears. “Please don’t say this if you don’t mean it.”
“How could I not mean it? Fuck, I’ve been trying to work up the courage to tell you how I’ve felt fo—” I’m cut off when Al presses her lips against mine.
She rests her forehead against mine, her thumb stroking back and forth where it rests on the back of my neck. “I love you too.”
“Thank fucking god. I’m sorry I didn’t pull my head out of my ass sooner.”
Her smile is a ray of pure sunshine, bright enough to light up the darkest night, and I lean forward, unable to resist kissing her again.
“What do you say? Can I be yours?”
“Took you long enough, pretty boy.”
CHAPTER 42
Alondra
I’m flyingacross the ice, all my worries far behind me.
Jack is practicing his wrist shot from all different angles around the goal, and I’m working on getting more speed and rotation in my layback spin. Jack is smiling at me the next time I glance in his direction.
“What are you looking at?” I call out, grinning at my boyfriend. God, it still feels insane to call him that.
Jack sweeps another quick shot into the back corner of the net. “My talented girlfriend.”
Yeah, I could get used to hearing Jack call me his girlfriend.
I laugh, pushing my feet forward, stopping within reach of Jack. “Keep up the compliments, and I bet you’ll make her really happy.”
“Isn’t it my goal to keep her happy? I’m pretty new at this whole relationship thing, but I’m positive that’s how it works,” he teases, winking at me after dropping his stick on the ice next to the pucks.
“Good thing you’re a fast learner,” I say as Jack slides his hands around my waist, pulling me close.
Things with Jack have been really great since he confessed his love last week. We were snowed in for a day with Ellie andMacy, but it gave us the perfect opportunity to clear all the space between us.
I came clean with Jack about Bradley’s threat, only to learn my dad had already told him.
Since my conversation with my dad about Bradley, and how he’s made me feel like I’ve had to earn his love, he’s been making an effort with our relationship. It’s slow going, but anything is better than the years we’ve spent holding each other at arm’s length.
What Dad didn’t tell his captain was how he went with me to the police station to tell the police the restraining order had been violated, and additional threats had been made against Jack.
Both my parents, Jack, and all of our friends have made sure I know that if Bradley comes near me, I’m supposed to call the police regardless of whatever threats he makes.
“She’s worth it,” Jack says, leaning to kiss me, and I feel light.
“I love you,” I say after he pulls away, the words rolling off my tongue with ease.
“I love you too.” He smiles, tugging on my ponytail, causing a laugh to rise from my chest. I can’t help thinking how every moment leading to us being here was worth it. “Your spins are looking good,” he compliments, and I’m overcome with happiness.
“They feel good. I’ve been toying with the idea of skating one of my old short programs just to see if I could even make it through half without falling flat on my ass,” I say, but it sounds silly to admit out loud. “It’s probably not even possible. I’m nowhere near where I was before quitting.”
“Do it,” Jack blurts out, and the spark in his eyes is the only reason I even consider it.
“Now? But I haven’t?—”
“No one is here but us. So what if you mess up in front of me? Falling on your ass will only leave a bruise I promise to kissbetter later,” Jack says, and if I didn’t know better, I would guess part of him might be hoping I’ll fall. “Please? I want to see it.”
