Bree stands at the end of the tunnel with a huge smile. Her blue eyes appear glassy with unshed tears. And she’s still wearing my jersey. It’s not like she hasn’t before. She wore one whenever she came to a game when I was in the junior league.
But it’s different this time. Maybe because of the kiss I’ve replayed in my head more times than I can count. Or that she looked so confident and sure of herself out there. Like my old Bree.
Something primal crouches low in my gut, wanting the jersey she’s wearing to be the truth, so everyone knows that Aubrey Sutton belongs to me.
When I’m about three feet away, she rushes forward and wraps her arms around me. “Wade, I’m so proud of you.”
Without a care for who’s watching, I drop my stick and pull her as tight as possible against my padding. “Did you guys plan that?”
She lifts her chin and stares up at me. “No, Zach just ran with it. The All Goalies Game was his idea—a last-minute addition. Isn’t it great?”
I’m lost in the depths of her blue eyes and can barely remember my name, let alone give her an answer.
“Yeah, it is,” I mumble.
She’s so close—close enough to kiss. And I want to more than anything. Like a horse without water for too long and seeing the trough for the first time, I’d love nothing more than to dip my lips to hers and claim what I crave most.
But she’s not mine.
Yet.
Something shifts inside me. A resolve to do whatever it takes to win her heart and make her happy. “You’re wearing my jersey.”
She pats my chest. “Rebecca sprung it on me at the last minute. I didn’t even know I would be out there tonight, but she insisted.”
I grin. “How could she not? You’re amazing.”
An adorable blush pinks her cheeks. Unless that was there before, from the coldness at this level. Either way, she’s gorgeous.
She pulls away. “I have work to do, and so do you.”
“Can we hang out after the game?” I know I’m pushing, but I need time with her.
She tugs the side of her lip in between her teeth, which only makes me want to pull her back and feel her mouth against mineagain and kiss that freckle on her bottom lip that teases me all the time.
“Hang out ortalk?”
“What’s the difference?”
She snark-eyes me.
“Whatever you want, Bree. I miss you.” I hadn’t intended to say that, but I’m not sorry I did either. If I want her to know how I feel, I need to start telling her.
Her lips part as if she’s surprised. Her chest rises and falls rapidly. Is it possible she misses me, too?
She nods. “Sure. We can hang out. I’ll be waiting for you after the game.”
And then she walks off without looking back while her words hum through my head like a promise.
I’ll be waiting for you…
Chapter Twenty-Five
WADE
The fellas keep eyeing me as I rush through shedding my gear, showering, and putting my game-day suit back on. When they changed this requirement in the NHL, I’d hoped they would for the ECHL as well, but not yet. However, I’m kind of glad for it tonight. I want to look my best for Bree.
The sight of her in my Sun Kings jersey is seared into my memory. Seeing my name stretched across her back did something to me. Like every save I’d ever made, every hit I’d taken, was worth it just to see her wear something that said she was mine, even if she didn’t mean it that way.
