The guys and I all cheer. We’re determined to take this team as far as we can go this season.
“Go hit the showers. You all stink.”
Laughter bounces off the boards as Coach flashes us a smile, then we all race off the ice. I’m anxious to get home, and I’m not the only one. We leave tomorrow morning for three consecutive away games, which means we’ll be on the road for almost a week. A week without falling asleep with Mira wrapped in my arms or waking up to her soft body pressed against mine. A week where I won’t get to see or talk to her much, if at all.
Will Mira want to talk to me while I’m gone? Can I convince her to FaceTime me, or will she be relieved to have me out of her hair for an entire week? I’m not delusional. Just because she went down on me doesn’t mean our marriage is real to her.
Shit.I’m in way over my head.
“Hey, Graves,” Ryder says after we’re all showered and getting dressed. “Sounds like your sister’s car broke down.”
My ears perk up, and I turn to face the rookie. “What do you mean, her car broke down?”
Ryder stares at his phone as it buzzes with an incoming text. “She and Lexi got lunch and Lex had to pick her up. Said she couldn’t get the car to start.”
Maddox rubs the back of his neck. “She’s been driving that hunk of junk since she was in high school. I’ve tried to get her to let me buy her a car so many times, but she’s stubborn.” Though my best friend rolls his eyes, there’s no real irritation behind it. He’s proud that Mira is stubborn and independent. I know, because he’s told me on more than one occasion. “I’ll call a tow.”
Nope. Like hell am I letting Maddox swoop in and save the day. That’s what husbands are for. “Don’t worry about it, Madds. I’ll take care of it.”
Maddox’s eyebrows rise. “Why would you take care of it?”
“Because she’s my roommate and my friend, and it’ll be easier for me to meet them in the parking garage than you.”
He doesn’t look convinced, so I aim my next argument toward his soft spot. “Besides, I know you want to spend as much time as possible with Isla before we leave.”
My best friend winces at that, studying me for a beat before sighing. “You sure?”
“Yep. I’ve got this. Go spend time with your future wife. I’ll take care of Mira.”
I can feel Sebastian’s eyes on me, but I ignore him. It’s like when toddlers play hide-and-seek. If I pretend I can’t see him, maybe he’ll go away. I seriously need Bash to be a hell of a lot less perceptive, because if anyone is going to figure out what’s going on between me and Mira, it’ll be that insightful bastard.
Maddox sighs. “All right. Thanks, man. I owe you.”
“No, you really don’t. Now get the hell out of here. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I turn to Ryder. “Thanks for the heads-up, Handsome. Does Hot Cross Buns need me to pick Mira up?”
Ryder chuckles, shaking his head at the codename we gave his girlfriend so our ex-coach wouldn’t know we were talking about his daughter earlier this year before he got sacked for being an unwashed asshole. “No, she said they’re watching a movie, then she’ll bring her home.”
Good. That will give me time to get Mira’s car towed to my mechanic, have him look it over, and let me pre-pay for any repairs. It’ll also give me time to fill my car up with gas. I can’t leave my wife without transportation for a week, and what’s mine is hers. She’ll just have to drive my G-Wagon while I’m gone.
“Cool. Thanks, man. Shoot me a text if you need me to pick her up.”
Ryder agrees, and we all say our goodbyes, but I’m distracted, too busy plotting how I can get my wife into a safer car without too much of a fight. Although I want to buy her something pretty and new, I have no doubt she’d give me hell for that. I guess I could have her car completely rebuilt, but the thing is a hunk of rusted junk. It seems silly to spend so much to rebuild a car that’s probably worth five hundred bucks.
I’ll have to do some brainstorming. Once I convince my wife to stay married to me, I’ll buy her a brand-new car. For now, I’ll have to settle for fixing her Toyota.
By the time I pull into my building’s parking garage, I’ve called a tow and spoken to my mechanic, who assures me he’ll give Mira’s car a thorough inspection, then fix every last issue with the damn thing, down to replacing the windshield wipers. The tow truck arrives less than half an hour later, and by the time Mira walks through our door, I’m packed and ready to leave in the morning. I don’t want to waste a single minute I could be spending with my wife.
“Hi,” she says, a pretty blush staining her cheeks.
“Hi.” I cross the space between us and pull Mira into a tight hug. She’s stiff for half a second, and then she melts into my embrace, her arms wrapping around my middle. “God, I missed you.”
She giggles, the sound muffled against my chest. “You saw me this morning before you left for practice.”
“I know. It’s been too long.” The thing is, I’m not even making a joke. With every passing day, I fall harder for this woman, and being apart from her makes me feel anxious and empty. She’s quickly becoming the most important person in my life.
Mira laughs again, and it’s followed by a sigh. “I kinda missed you too.”
“You did?” I can’t hide my surprise. Although she’s softening to me, she’s also still fighting this thing between us. Pulling away from her just enough to see her face, I search for the lie but don’t spot any evidence of one.
