I’ve never been so thankful that my mom owns this magazine. She wouldn’t publish anything that could hurt either of us.
Once Addie has disappeared through the doorway to the kitchen, I turn to Beckett. “I thought you didn’t want me with your daughter.”
He eyes me, his mouth turned down. “Were you really willing to give it all up?”
Of course I was. But it’s not a hardship the way he thinks it is.
I give him a rueful smile. “A wise man once told me that he’d give his life for the ones he loves. I’m not giving it all up, sir. I’m gaining everything.”
Beckett nods. “That’s why you’re the right person for my daughter.” He holds out a hand.
I step closer, sliding my palm against his.
Rather than shake my hand, he pulls me in for a hug, slapping my back hard. “Welcome to the family, son.”
FIFTY
ADDIE
“One more ofyou two standing back to back,” Josie begs.
I groan, but JJ only chuckles. I’m glad one of us is enjoying this.
“Stop being so difficult,” Josie yells as the photographer points and clicks. “The people are eating this up. Especially JJ’s point of view.”
“Who would have known so many women would love hearing a man’s opinion?” I grouse.
Tugging on the back of my jersey, JJ skates backward, pulling me around the ice like an idiot. “They only want to hear about the great Adeline and how she came to be such an amazing player.” He stops and holds out a gloved hand. We probably look absurd decked out in our uniforms, minus our masks, as he guides me like we’re damn figure skaters.
“We have a game to get ready for,” I remind him.
His eyes dance. “You have a game. I’m on the bench tonight, baby.”
I shrug, though I doubt he can see it beneath all my gear. “Not my fault I’m better than you.”
He chuckles. “Ryan likes you better.”
Scoffing, I roll my eyes. “Are you saying our coach is giving me special treatment?”
Hovering closer, he kisses me. It isn’t easy with all the padding, but he tugs me by both sides of my jersey until we’re as close as we can getand presses his mouth to mine. When he pulls back, we’re both breathless. “Nah, he just knows who’s the better goalie. And that’s you, Adeline Langfield.”
“You are such a suck up,” I tease. “And yes, because you said that, you’ll be getting all the sex after tonight’s game.”
“Ah, perfect,” Josie squeals.“The readers are going to eat up these pictures!”
With a groan, I drop my head back. Shit. I’d already forgotten about her and the photographer.
I can’t be too annoyed, I suppose. Not after all she and Savannah have done for us. For a week after Tabitha’s ridiculous press conference, we walked around holding our breath. Freaking bodyguards showed up to escort me to and from the arena to keep the press at bay. When I called my father to give him a piece of my mind, I discovered it wasn’t his doing, but JJ’s. The two of them are more alike than I’d care to admit.
By week two, the first article had run. Savannah agreed with my dad’s suggestion to start at the beginning, so the first article covered our time at hockey camp when we were fourteen. The summer before we played together for the Boston Eagles. It was interesting reading JJ’s perspective of that time. While I assumed he embellished a bit for the story, he swore it was an accurate representation of how he felt all along. He was enamored by me. A little intimidated, but mostly just happier when I was around. It was eye-opening to see how his thoughts and feelings shifted that first night after he came to stay with us.
I also finally found out what he said to me on prom night. Iknewthe words he spoke in French sounded like a love confession.
For the last six weeks, the magazine has published article after article detailing memories from each of our points of view. Everyone loves a love story. And reliving it is a blast. Even the messy bits. Because it got us here. With Avery. Together.
“You two done modeling? We’ve got a game tonight, ya know,” Gavin grumps from the bench. His arms are folded and he looks properly annoyed.
“Sorry, Coach.” I push back from JJ and dig my skates into the ice,heading for the locker room. As fun as going down memory lane has been, I’m ready to focus on my other greatest love: hockey.
