Lying in the bed,naked and satisfied, we face each other. I kiss her hand, and she twists a strand of my hair around her finger. The champagne bottle is empty, and we’re relaxed, sated, and… at least for me, so fucking happy.
Her thumb slides along my brow. “Are you still having concussion symptoms?”
I smile, tracing her own hair behind her ear. “To be honest, I forgot all about it two nights ago.”
Her nose wrinkles. “Have you heard from your coach?”
“Not since we left.” I think about how much has changed since Leek joined the staff. “He told me to take my time, heal, and get back when I could.”
“That seems very understanding for hockey.” Her brow furrows. “I’ve always heard it was such a demanding sport.”
“I don’t think he likes me very much,” I confess. “Or he doesn’t like the fact of me. That the other guys depend on me so much.”
The furrow in her brow turns to full-scowl. “I don’t like him so much. You’re the most welcoming member of that team. You look out for the other guys, you find them places to live…”
“Hey…” I laugh softly, putting my palm against her jaw. “How do you know all that?”
“Gina told me. It’s how she met Owen, isn’t it? She said you’re the teambeautician.”
That makes me laugh out loud. I roll onto my back, and Dove dives into my chest, putting her arms around me and pressing her forehead against my skin.
“Don’t laugh at me!” she cries. “I don’t know anything about hockey.”
I wrap my arms around her, loving the feel of her small naked body against mine. “I’m laughing at Gina talking like a hockey player. Owen must’ve told her that.”
Her body relaxes, and she lifts her head. “So that’s a real thing?”
“Yeah… Unofficially.”
“I don’t understand why your coach wouldn’t value that. It seems like teams need that kind of leader.”
“Donovan is team captain.” I shrug thinking about the situation, thinking about how Leek talked to me before the last game, all the things he said. “Perhaps he’s just bad at communicating.”
“We’re heading back tomorrow.” She rolls onto her side under my arm, and I reach down to hold her close. “Will you go back to practice?”
“Yeah. I’m ready to get back on the ice.” I look down ather pretty face, noticing the tension creeping in again. “Are you missing school?”
“Yeah, but I feel guilty going back.” She exhales softly. “I need to finish what I’ve started.”
An unexpected pain hits my chest, and I press my thumb against the line between her brows. “I’m glad you’re coming back to finish.”
She rises onto her elbow, giving me a sad face. “I’ve had a lot of fun with you here. But I guess when we go back, we’ll need to go… all the way back.”
I blink at her, understanding settling over me like a hot, itchy blanket I don’t need and don’t want. “All the way…?”
“Back to just friends.” Her chin drops, and her lips press into a frown. “We have to, Mav. It’s impossible.”
“Is it?”
“You know it is. I’ll always come back here. You’ll always stay there.”
“But what about this weekend? What about Gina?” It sounds like I’m begging. Maybe I am.
“We can tell her it was all hormones. You were thinking with your dick…” Her eyebrow arches up at me, and I frown.
“Itwasn’tjust hormones.”
“No, you’re right. That’s not fair. You’ve been wonderful.” She shakes her head, shifting around so she’s lying on her back beside me. “I was thinking with my vagina.”
