Page 217 of Risking the Pucking Defense

Here, I can pretend that he’s still here, even if it’s only briefly.

The second I dropped into the driver’s seat, the tears came.

But they weren’t sad tears. They were tears of relief, of closure, of hope, of…so many other things.

I didn’t know how much time had passed as I sat there lost in thought of times gone by and dreams for the future, but the second Hayden appeared and I saw the harassed look in his eyes, I knew I’d messed up. But more than that, I knew I’d done the right thing.

“Shall we go up, or did you want to sit here a little longer?” Hayden asks after a few minutes of silence.

“We can go up,” I say, reaching for the door handle.

“He’d be so proud of you, you know?” Hayden’s words have tears burning my eyes once more.

“I hope so,” I say before climbing from the car.

When Hayden meets me at the trunk, I notice he’s got my purse over his shoulder.

“Suits you,” I tease.

“You think? I wasn’t sure if tan was my color.”

Laughter peals out of me, and when he holds his arms out, I fall into them, wrapping mine around his waist and holding tight.

“Thank you for finding me.”

“Baby, I was losing my mind running around town looking for you.”

My breath catches. “Shit. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean⁠—”

He presses two fingers to my lips.

“It’s okay. You might need to apologize to Bea as well, though. I alerted the troops in case a search party was required.”

“I…shit.”

“You didn’t even open my message, Hails. I panicked.”

“I…I’m sorry.”

“Come on,” he says, taking my hand and pulling me toward the elevator. “I've got a surprise for you.”

“Oh?”

“Well, assuming I haven’t ruined them.”

The second we’re inside the elevator, Hayden backs me into the corner, his green eyes dark and twinkling with a mixture of emotions and desire.

“Hey,” he breathes, his lips quirking into a smile. “I missed you last night.”

“I missed you too. Good game, though.”

“Yeah, do you know why?”

I bite down on my bottom lip and shake my head despite predicting what he’s going to say.

“My girl was wearing my jersey. Hottest thing ever.”

“I thought I might wear it again for you tonight. What do you think?”