“I don’t have any siblings, so I don’t totally get it, but I do have an older cousin who is literally a rocket scientist. It doesn’t matter that I’m one of the best wingers in the league. When we have family reunions, she’s still the scientist, and I’m the guy who plays with sticks for a living.” My cousin Erica is cool as hell, but I get how it may suck to feel you’re constantly living in the shadow of a family member.
Her little giggle is bright, and I need her closer. Dropping her hand, I wrap my arm around her shoulder, and when she reaches up and links her fingers with mine, my heart feels like it’s a ball of light. “You do more than play with sticks for a living, babe. But yeah. I guess sometimes it seems like he has all these expectations for me, and I’ve worked so hard to make something of myself, but he’s this famous hockey player, and I just make websites.”
“You’re incredibly talented. It’s more than just making websites, and you know it. You take photos and information and create something that pulls people in and lets them feel likethey’re a part of something. Don’t sell yourself short.” As we pause in front of the bookstore, I make sure my wife meets my gaze so she can see how serious I am.
“Your brother is proud as hell of you, sunshine. I get that you feel like you have something to prove, but he just wants you to be happy.”
Mira hums, and I can tell she’s not convinced.
“He’d probably be your biggest fan if it wasn’t for me.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, babe. I wish you could believe in yourself the way I believe in you. But that’s okay, you’ll get there. I’ll make sure of it.” And I will. As we stand there on the sidewalk, people flowing around us like living water, resolve fills me. “You’re fucking amazing, Mir. So talented and driven. And you aren’t in your brother’s shadow, because you’re pure light and sunshine.”
Mira’s cheeks are pink, and not just from the chilly late-February wind stinging her face. Her voice is a quiet caress as she stares up at me. “You have to say that because you’re my husband.”
Leaning down so our noses touch, I hold her gaze. “I have to say that because I’m not a liar and it’s the truth. Now, Mrs. Wright, let’s go into this bookstore and pick out some smutty books to keep you all hot and bothered while I’m away in New York. I want you primed and ready for me when I get home.”
“Still not changing my last name,” she says, chuckling as I open the door to It’s a Love Story and lead her in.
We stop in front of a wall full of sports romance books and I shrug. “Still willing to change mine.”
“You’re ridiculous.” She rests her head on my chest, her eyes scanning the colorful spines in front of us.
She still thinks I’m kidding. “Just wait, wifey. Now, how many books do you think you can carry back to the car?”
Her eyes widen, sparkling like emeralds. She sucks in a breath. “Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack. I’ll buy you as many books as you can hold.” I drop her hand and give her ass a little smack. “Now get to shopping, sunshine. I’m going to find us two copies of that book I was talking about.”
My wife squeals and does a happy little wiggle, and before I’m even three feet away, she has four books in her arms and holds a fifth, reading the blurb on the back. Every trace of her previous insecurity has been wiped off her face and replaced with the kind of joy I’m determined to inspire again and again.
I’ll spend my entire salary on books if it makes her happy.
thirty-two
MIRA
“Hell yeah, Handsome!”Lexi shouts at her boyfriend through the TV.
I giggle, because you’d never know just by looking at the blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman that she’s absolutely bloodthirsty when she cheers for her boyfriend on the ice. Ryder is a defenseman, so he spends a lot of time checking the opposing team’s players into the boards when they get too close to Sebastian and the Rogues’ goal. I’m pretty sure it turns Lexi on when he does.
“I wish we could have traveled with them,” Isla says wistfully from her spot next to me on the couch. “I hate being away from Maddox.”
“You and my brother are disgustingly cute.” I gently nudge her shoulder, smirking. “Pretty sure I just vomited in my mouth a little.”
My soon-to-be sister-in-law smacks my arm. “Oh shut it, missy.”
Lexi laughs, agreeing with her. “One day you’re going to find a man that you can’t live without, and then you’ll understand.And god forbid he plays hockey, because watching your man get slammed into the boards by some asshole with blades on his feet is so freaking scary sometimes.”
As if to illustrate her point, one of the New York Warriors checks Griffin into the glass. Hard. I can’t stifle my little gasp, and Lexi nods.
“See? It’s bad even watching your roommate get checked. Imagine if he was your boyfriend.”
I don’t have to imagine. I know intimately. But Griffin isn’t just my boyfriend; he’s my husband. Not that I can say that to Lexi. So all I can do is offer her a little grimace. “Yeah. I can imagine.”
Isla watches me, her blue eyes slightly narrowed. I doubt she has any idea that Griffin and I aremarried, but I’m worried she’s putting the pieces together. To be honest, I thought Lexi would be the one figuring this out after I showed up in a car with Griffin’s number on it, but she’s a little wrapped up in her own relationship. It’s been a whirlwind since her dad was fired and her relationship with Ryder became something of a viral sensation.
