Does she really believe that?
I push myself up into a sitting position. “Come here.” I gesture to my lap. Charlie sits up then swings one leg over me.
Our faces are inches apart now, which is exactly what I needed before I could attempt explaining this to her.
“Charlie. Your brother is your biggest fucking fan.” She starts shaking her head and I place my hands on the side of her face to still her.
“Yes. He is. He may have given you hell when you were little for tagging along all the time but when it was just him and me, he wouldn’t shut up about how good of a hockey player you are.”
“Really?” Charlie’s eyes fill with unshed tears.
I can’t stand the sight of her being sad, so I lean forward and kiss her hard. Trying to pour every ounce of affection I feel for her into the kiss.
Once I pull back, a tear spills from the corner of her eye and I swipe it away immediately with my thumb, still holding her face in my hands.
“Really, Charlie. He texts me after every single one ofyour games asking me if I saw your hit or your assist or goal. He’s so damn proud of you, baby. Just like I am. Probably even more.”
“Hey!” She attempts to swat me again but I grab her wrist.
“I’m serious. Connorisyour biggest fan. There’s no way he’d ever choose me over you. And I really don’t think he would feel the need to do so. I think he’ll be okay with this. I really do.”
Charlie sniffles and I bring her hand to my mouth, kissing her palm.
“You really think he’ll be okay with us?”
Not letting go of her hand, I give it a squeeze. “I do. And if he’s not, he’ll get there. We’ll help him get there. Because there’s no way I’m giving you up now that I have you.”
The corners of Charlie’s lips tip upward, the ghost of a smile threatening to break through her sadness.
“Now that you have me huh?” She bites her lower lip and my dick twitches underneath her.
“Yeah, baby. I got you.”
She leans down and gives me a slow, languid kiss. Our tongues move together, unhurried and in perfect harmony.
Once she pulls back, she rests her forehead against mine.
“Do you think tonight we could just…lay here together. I’m exhausted and we have our most important game yet tomorrow.”
I pull back the slightest bit and peer into her beautiful eyes.
“There’s nothing I’d rather do.”
It’s the day before our first curling match but it’s also game day for Charlie. And it’s not just any game.
USA vs Canada is arguably the greatestmatchup of all time when it comes to women’s hockey. There are college rivalries, but they don’t even come close to this one.
Charlie’s been with her team since breakfast preparing for this afternoon’s matchup. My teammates are meeting me here at the game, but I was too anxious to wait around for them at the hotel.
Which is why I’m one of the first people to take my seat in the near empty arena.
There’s a feeling you get when you walk into a stadium or arena before a game is set to begin. I feel it when I walk into an ice rink before a curling match as well.
It's quiet and serene. Peaceful in a special type of way.
But sitting here like this in the empty arena ahead of this rivalry game, I can’t help but think that this is the calm before the storm.
And I’m so fucking ready to cheer my girl on.
