“You’re giving me pointers aboutmydad?” she asks.
Addison chomps down on some more popcorn. “She has a point.”
I roll my eyes at her.
“I mean, put yourself in Coach Hart’s shoes. He watched his star player, who he absolutely needs, with his precious baby girl, who does no wrong in his eyes,” Addison says.
Kendall glares at her.
“Think about if it were your daughter,” she says.
I try to imagine that. It’s not hard for me to understand why he’s upset. He wants the best for Kendall, but doesn’t see me as that.
“Oh, he’s very pissed. I think that’s why he said he would ruin my reputation so I’ll never play again.” I shrug. “Let him try.”
Kendall wraps her arms around me and buries her face in my shoulder, apologizing. I hold her and let her get it all out while Addison squeezes my shoulder once, then slips out of the room to give us space.
When Kendall takes in a deep breath, I press my lips to her hair.
“There’s no crying in hockey,” I tell her.
“You’re not worried?” She pulls away, studying me with stars in her eyes.
I grin and shake my head. “No. Not even a little bit. Let’s go home.”
Her brows rise at the word.
“I mean, unless you changed your mind about moving in with me. But know that I selfishly want you in my bed every morning and night, starting now. Your dad knows, so there’s no reason to sneak around or hide us anymore. I want to take you out. I want to wake up next to you. I want to come home to you. I want to stop pretending in public that you belong to Jamie.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m ready to scream it from the rooftops right now.”
“Really?”
I stand up and walk to my sister’s window, glancing back at Kendall before I slide it open.
“New York City!” I yell out into the street. “I love Kendall Hart! She’s the love of my life.”
It echoes off the building across the way.
“No one cares!” someone screams back.
“Fuck you,” I mutter, shutting the window with a snap.
When I turn back, my girl is smiling widely. It’s the first real one I’ve seen since her father walked in on us.
“There you are,” I say, crossing back to her. “We’ll get through this. Together.”
“Thank you,” she whispers.
“For what?”
“For choosing me,” she says.
“No, no, no. Thank you. The pleasure is literally mine. I’ve already experienced what feels like a lifetime without you. And it really sucks. I will choose you, us, and this every day of the week.”
“Aw,” Addison calls from her bedroom.
Kendall laughs again, the sound stronger this time.
“Sorry, I’m really trying to pretend I can’t hear you. Please continue your romantic moment. It’s sweet. Kinda gross. And I’m a little jealous.”
