She blinks. “Well, I don’t typically have trouble making friends, but I have to take my cues from you in this instance.”
“Let me think about the best way to bring you in,” I say finally. “I might ask Jude’s opinion too. Now let’s shower so I can ravage you again.”
“I don’t even have a toothbrush.”
“Don’t worry, Chloe keeps a fully stocked guest room. Once we’re done in here, we can go get you whatever you need. And going forward, let’s go to a drug store and you can get a duplicate set of whatever you use most, like your makeup remover or whatever, so you can have it here.”
She looks startled but then nods. “All right.”
She gets into the shower and rests against me. “I’m scared, Jordan.”
“Don’t be scared.”
“I don’t want to repeat history.”
“Why would we?”
“I don’t know. My dad is still going to be a pain in the ass, and while I’m older now, they’re still my parents. I don’t want to just cut them off.”
“This time around, he doesn’t scare me. I can take care of myself. I’ll sit down with him, man to man, and show him that I’m not some dumb kid just looking to get laid. What you and I have is more than that. A lot more. And he knows damn well I can support you.”
She flushes. “Jordan, I don’t care about your money!”
“I know that, but it exists. I make a lot of money, and I don’t have much in the way of expenses right now. That was done by design, to make up for the two years in the minors and to help me get back on my feet. When it’s time to buy a house, we’re going to pay cash. Stuff like that. I have a plan, baby. And once I explain that to your dad, it’s going to be okay.”
She doesn’t look convinced. “You’ve forgotten how rigid he is.”
“I haven’t. But he doesn’t understand who I am now either. You just have to be prepared to stand up for yourself.”
She swallows, looking a little uncomfortable, but then nods. “I know. I will. Just give me a little time to come up with a plan of my own.”
“There’s no timetable, baby. Whatever you want to do. If it’s easier, we can wait until the off-season, when I’m not thinking about hockey twenty-four-seven and you’ve graduated. Then we can start making plans. By the time next season starts, we’ll basically have our shit together and everything will be fine.”
Her eyes fill with tears. “Jordan.”
“What, baby? I told you, this isn’t a game. If we’re in this, we’re in it for good.” I kiss her forehead. “Trust me, Victoria.”
“I do.” Her voice is barely a whisper but I hear it.
And I love it.
Now that’s she’s mine, I’m never letting her go again.
Chapter 19
Victoria
Merrill comes into the store while I’m ringing up a customer. Her eyes glitter with excitement and anticipation.
“Every. Detail.” She drums her fingers on the counter.
“I’m working,” I protest, but I’m laughing.
“We’re officially back together. Exclusive. Making plans.”
Her eyes widen with disbelief. “One roll in the hay and he’s going to wife you up?”
“I don’t know, but we’re certainly working toward being together.”
