Because Emaly was my salvation as a child. She brought me everything I needed when I needed it most.
But Winter…she’s the salvation I need now.
The person who makes the pain go away.
“I would have loved to meet them.”
Winter doesn’t reply. Not right away. But then she says, “My dad hated hockey. He said it was too violent.”
My lips twitch into a smile. “That’s a shame.” I press my mouth to the top of her head in a chaste kiss. “I would give it up.”
Her body tenses beside me.
“If it means you can be happy,” I tell her, taking a deep breath. “I’d give it up.”
She draws her knees up and rests her chin on them. “I would never ask that of you. The game means too much to you. So does Emaly. I get it, Thomas. This is—”
“You do too.” I stop her. “Don’t mistake this, Winter. You’re not the other woman. You’re not disposable. What did I tell you before?”
She doesn’t answer right away. Slowly, she turns to look at me curiously.
“You’re capable of love and being loved.”
I don’t say the words.
The three words I have no right to say to her yet. But one day…
One day, I’ll be able to tell her.
When I deserve her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Moskins
Iwatch Wintersleep peacefully on her couch, using my lap as her pillow. I shouldn’t have come in, especially when I saw the photographers camping out across the street. They know they can’t be kicked out for trespassing if they’re on public property, so they use their cameras to get what they need from there.
Since the story already broke, I walked into the apartment building with my middle finger up in their direction. They can plaster that on the tabloids next, for all I care. They’d been lucky I didn’t flash them my ass and tell them to kiss it while I was at it.
I brush my fingers through Winter’s hair as her chest rises and falls slowly. She hadn’t told me to go home. Hadn’t said goodbye. Hadn’t told me to fuck off like I deserved. So, here I am. Watching her sleep and being here with her for as long as I can.
It’s nothing like the last time we were on this couch together. The emotions aren’t as high or deadly. Not in the same way. She’s not whipping insults or demanding anything. She’s not using me or expecting anything.
She just…is.
Soaking up the moment.
Getting a moment’s peace, if only in her dreams. When she wakes up, we’ll have to face this mess together. Because whether she likes it or not, I’m going to be there for her.
My phone buzzes with an unsaved number, so I ignore it. Then it buzzes again with another unsaved number. I almostturn it off when it goes off for a third time, and I see Ashton’s name.
Winter stirs, and I try to hush her back to sleep when she murmurs, “You can answer it if you need to.”
“I didn’t mean to wake you.”
The phone keeps ringing.
Ashton. Again.
