But I’ll do anything for him, even if it means letting him go.
Chapter 25
Alex
Ismile up at them as the final buzzer sounds. Not only did we win the last game before the Christmas break, but I scored and Brie and Mac were here to see it. Life is good. I hurry through the shower and rush to get dressed. Devin watches me, perplexed.
“Why is your ass on fire?”
“I’m meeting Mac and Brie for dinner,” I explain. “They’re waiting.”
“Really?” Devin looks intrigued and a little amused. “You dating again? Or is it still? I don’t know what the hell is going on.”
“It’s complicated,” I reply and grab my coat.
I’ve been in therapy for a few weeks. Brie and I never said we were breaking up, but we’ve definitely put the brakes on our relationship. I’ve been seeing a therapist twice a week and I’ve made some progress, but I have a long way to go. But it’s amazing how the mental exercises and meditation the therapist has given me are working.
“Later, guys!” I call before anyone can make any more comments or ask any questions.
In the hallway the coach barks my name. I turn and see he’s almost smiling. “Great game,” he says gruffly. “I’m liking you’re play lately.”
I want to pump my fist and screamFuck yeah!but I just nod. “Thanks, Coach.”
I’m grinning as I leave the building. Brie and Mac are waiting across the street as planned. I burst into a grin at the sight of them. Mac runs to me jumping up and down. “You scored! How cool is that?”
“Pretty cool,” I laugh. Brie walks over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “It was a goal, not an assist. It deserves more than a kiss on the cheek.”
Brie grins and rocks up and kisses me gently on the lips.
“Gross,” Mac announces, but she laughs.
We go to an Italian place and share an extra-large pizza and then, despite being full, Mac asks for a double order of chocolate cake and three forks. By the time we get to Brie’s house she’s told us all about her school day, asked a thousand questions about hockey and listed all the songs she can now play on the guitar. She’s a turning into a normal teenager. It’s fucking fantastic.
She plays us one of the songs, then heads to bed. “I’m going to sleep with my headphones in tonight. Just so you know. And we have enough cereal for three bowls in the morning.”
“Oh my God,” Brie groans. Mac waves good-bye and disappears down the hall. I hear her bedroom door close and I laugh.
“What kind of cereal?’ I ask and slide across the couch so I’m right next to Brie. “Anything good like Cocoa Puffs or Sugar Smacks?”
“I am not sending that child to school full of sugar,” Brie tells me. “We have Chex or Cheerios.”
“Honey Nut?” I ask and raise an eyebrow. She laughs and I kiss her.
The sex with her is amazing the way it always is. God, I can’t believe this woman puts up with me. That hits me at least once a day. She’s sticking around, she’s loving me even when I don’t know why she is. She’s lying beside me breathing hard with pink cheeks, and I feel like my heart has suddenly grown so big it’s going to crack my ribs. I reach over and brush a lock of her hair off her forehead. “I love you.”
She stops breathing. Her brown eyes find mine. “I love you too.”
“I know.” I swallow and fight the flutter of fear that has started in my gut. “That’s why I wanted to ask you if you and Mac would come to the Barons family skate Saturday. As my guests.”
“Really?”
I nod. “I know we’re like taking it slow, but that stupid TV crew is finally doing their piece on me and they’re filming me at the skate. They want to see me being myself and I’m myself when I’m with you.”
She lifts herself up on her elbow, eyes still glued to mine. A smile starts to bloom on her lips. “I would love to.”
“They also insist on a segment away from the rink,” I explain and grit my teeth.
She reaches up and palms my jaw softly. “Don’t grind your teeth, they’re under enough stress with all the sticks and pucks they have to avoid.”
