Jacob
“Miles called me after I saw you and Becca at The Bleacher Bean.” John says. My stomach rolls as I think about dinner the other night. I can only imagine what he said to his uncle. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were struggling your first few years on the Panthers?”
My stomach flips, and I wish hehadasked me about Becca instead. Pushing my hand through my hair, I huff out a breath. “Because I was embarrassed. And maybe a little bit ashamed. It felt like if anyone knew the truth, I’d be letting them down.”
“Jake.” John rests his hand on my shoulder. “You were just a kid who lost his mom, and basically his dad. Not to mention you were across the country with no one. Not a single person would’ve been surprised.”
When I raise my gaze, it’s to find him shaking his head and grinning at me. “Knowing that part of your story, I’m even more impressed by everything you’ve accomplished.”
“Thanks, John. That means a lot coming from you.”
He grasps my shoulder just as Miles and Wyatt step over to us.
“As far as Becca goes,” John’s eyes get a bit hard, and I look around to see four sets of narrowed eyes staring at me. “I know you love her, but if you hurt her, you’ll have to contend with all of us.”
I gulp, trying to steady myself. I turn to Becca and give her a shaky smile, only to have her give me a finger wave. I’m surrounded by her brother and three boys, who are either taller than me or the same height, and she gives me a finger wave. A finger wave?
After feeling a little disappointed at her lack of empathy, I snort. That’s my girl.
“I understand,” I say, not taking my eyes off Becca before smacking John on the arm. “But I’m not going anywhere, as long as she wants me. If she ever decides, at another point in time, that I’m not the man for her, I’ll let her be.”
Glancing over at all of their confused expressions. I turn and walk to the woman I’m lucky to have another opportunity with, but stop and look back at them all. “I hope she knows how fortunate she is to have you all in her corner.”
Becca covers her mouth and giggles as she looks past me at her brother and sons. “What are they doing?”
“They’re all staring at you,” she says, the corners of her eyes crinkling, and she steps close enough to place her hands on my arms.
“And?” Raising my arms to her waist, and resting my hands there, I pull her closer, kissing the tip of her nose.
She raises her hazel eyes and pins me with her gaze. “Their mouths are hanging open. No, don’t look.” She laughs as she tugs on my chin to keep me from turning around.
“Well, what would you have me do?” She slides her hands up my shoulders and then over my back before playing with some hair hanging over my collar.
“Maybe you should kiss me.” Her eyes drop to my lips, and my chest starts to pound.
“Are you sure?” My voice is husky, and my hand tightens on her waist at the same time she applies pressure to the back of my neck, drawing me closer.
When our lips are a hair’s breadth from touching, she whispers, “Yes. Just make sure to keep it PG.”
My head unexpectedly pulls back, and a snort of laughter sneaks out. Glancing down at her eyes, I catch them sparkling.Lifting my hand to her cheek, I rub my thumb softly against her jawline, brushing her lips. “I love you, Becs.”
She wraps my hair in her hand and pulls me close before whispering words I’ve been aching to hear from her since the moment I left her standing on the street, watching me drive away.
“I love you too, Jacob.”
Becca softly presses her lips against mine, and the feeling of being home wraps around me.
Coming back to Maple Ridge was the last thing I ever intended, and yet it’s exactly where home was waiting for me.
Epilogue
Jacob
One Year Later
WatchingBeccaacrosstheroom, I see her pulling her bottom lip. Tonight is the NHL draft, and the entire town has gathered at Moretti’s to support Steven.
Walking up behind her, I let my hands slide around her waist and rest my chin on her shoulder. Her pink cashmere sweater soft against my skin. “How you doing, Becs?”
