The smile that Jasper gives me does funny things to my insides. Swirls and mushes them all up and rearranges them in a way that he completely owns. Maybe this is why I was so hesitant to meet Jasper in the first place. Because I knew once I met him, I would fall hard. Hell, texting with him over the phone, I knew I was falling. And now…now I'm so far gone for this man. I don’t know which way is up and which way is down.
It’s why the next confession slips out.
“You know what I always wanted as a little girl? Even more so than being a singer?”
“What?”
Jasper traces his fingers along the lines in my palm. Wrapped up with him like this, I feel safe. Like I can tell him anything and he’ll never judge me.
“A red farmhouse on a big piece of land away from everyone. I wanted to raise chickens and have some horses. I wanted to run barefoot through the grass. Have a tire swing and let the wind blow through my hair.”
“You want to be free.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry, Quinn. I wish I could whisk you away from all of this.”
“You being here helps more than you know.”
“I only wish I could be here for you more.”
I smile at him, stroking his cheek. Memorizing his handsome face. Every little detail that I never want to forget. “Life of an NHL player and all.”
“You know, it’s been pretty hard these last few years. Getting older and trying to keep my place in the league. I guess we’re more alike than we thought.”
“Both fighting for our place in our respective careers.”
The corner of Jasper’s mouth quirks up into a half-smile. “Well, if I had to fight for things with anyone, I’m glad it’s you.”
“Me too.”
Happier than I could ever admit, I don’t think I could even put it into words. Because having Jasper on my side through this whole ordeal will get me through it.
Come hell or high water.
Chapter Fifteen
JASPER
“Iappreciate all of you coming to Chloe’s store opening tonight,” Dax says, holding his drink up in a toast.
Sitting around a back table at the Sin Bin, it feels like it’s been ages since all of us have been here. With the guys all partnering off, we tend to go to their places now.
“Did Chloe not want you there to help?” Bode asks, sipping on his own cocktail.
Dax smacks his lips. “No. She wanted the girls there to put the finishing touches on everything. Said she wanted to surprise me.”
“Hey, it’s going to be great,” I say. “After all you two have been through, you deserve this.”
It’s been a long few weeks. With lengthy road trips and Quinn prepping for trial, our time together has been limited. If we were out in public together, there is no place I’d rather be than having her by my side tonight.
But we can’t.
Instead, I’m here with the guys wishing she were going to meet me later. Hell, it’s not like I can even buy her anythingbecause it’d look suspicious since I haven’t told any of them about her.
Well, except Noah. Who surprisingly has kept his mouth shut so far.
“Like I said,” Dax continues, “I’m glad you could all come tonight. I know it’s not easy taking time away from your families.”
