Page 90 of Break Out

“Can we do this?” I meet her gaze. “Can we really do this? Not just the distance, but the time changes too, and all the travel.” I heave out a breath. “You know what it’s like trying to see or talk to each other during the season when we’re in the same state, now we’ll be thousands of miles apart.”

“Brody, I love you. I know it won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it.”

“I love you too, Aubrey.” It’s so freeing to finally be able to say those words out loud to her. It feels so right to finally be able to say them.

It’ll be tough, but I’ll do anything for a year if it means she’s my reward at the end. But, fuck, it’s only been a couple of days, and I’m aching to touch her, feel her around me. Kiss her. Taste her.

As if she can hear my thoughts, Aubrey whispers, “Kiss me, Brod. Please. Touch me. I need you.”

“Say it again,” I demand, my lips hovering inches from hers, my fingers ghosting along the hem of shorts.

“I love you,” she whispers.

I crash my lips to hers and yank down her shorts, needing to make love to her.

Chapter thirty-seven

Brody

November

Grunting, I lean down and lace up first my left skate and then my right skate, ready for morning skate. As the season has progressed, it’s clear that the years are catching up to me even though this is proving to be my best season yet. We’re not even halfway through, and I’ve already racked up forty-five points and twenty goals. Which easily puts me on track for over a hundred points this season. I’m currently sitting as the league leader in points and goals. No big deal, right?

Unfortunately, the aches and pains are more consistent. I swear I bruise easier now. I spend more time in the ice bath after games and practices than I used to. Some days I feel like my body is giving up on me. I don’t care what Aubrey or anyone else says. This is my last season regardless of whether we win the Cup or not.

“You okay?” Hunter asks, pulling on his practice jersey.

“Yeah. Just tired.”

He studies me silently for a few seconds before getting to his feet, and we make our way onto the Los Angeles Knights’s practice ice. Tonight’s game is our second of a five-game, eleven-day road trip. We got here around three a.m. east coast time from Colorado. Luckily, tomorrow is an off day, so we won’t fly out until the morning. I should be used to these late nights, and usually I am, but right now, I’m exhausted and ready for a break.

“What are we doing for your birthday?” Caleb asks as he skates over to where Hunter and I are stretching on the ice.

“Your birthday is soon?” Hunter asks, whipping his head up to look at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I don’t like celebrating,” I mumble, focusing on stretching my hamstrings. It’s the truth. Aubrey was the one who I usually celebrated with, and since she’s in Hawaii, I won’t do anything. Although, with the sly grin Caleb is giving me, I have a feeling he’s got something up his sleeve. “What?” I ask.

“Oh, nothing.” Caleb smirks.

I roll my eyes at him. Whatever he’s planning, the answer is going to be no. He means well, they all do, and for the most part, I’ve stopped pretending I don’t want to be friends with them. I’ve gone to dinner most nights with them and out for drinks a couple of times. I’ve even done some of the touristy stuff Caleb organized for the team. Normally, I’d hole up in my hotel room and either sleep or watch game tapes.

This season, I’m making an effort. Might as well take advantage of getting to visit all these places one last time. I’d never admit it, but it’s been fun doing something that isn’t hockey all the time. Plus, it distracts me from thinking about Aubrey and missing her. Speaking of which, hopefully, I’ll be able to talk to her this afternoon before the game. She’s been so busy lately that we haven’t talked as much as I wish we could.

Coach blows his whistle, and morning skate starts. The next two hours fly by, and before I know it, we’re heading back to the locker room.

“A little birdie told me your birthday is coming,” Wes says, coming up to where Hunter and I are changing.

“For fuck’s sake,” I mumble, shooting a glare in Caleb’s direction. Unfortunately, his back is to me, so he doesn’t see it.

Wes chuckles before going back to his locker. Fucker only came over here to fuck with me. With a shake of my head, I go back to changing so I can catch the bus to the hotel and call Aubrey.

With a sigh, I sit down on the bench and take off my dress shoes.

“You okay?” Hunter asks, yanking his tie off. “You’ve been sighing a lot since we got on the bus.”

“Yeah.” I pause, glancing at my friend. “No, actually, I’m not. I tried to call Aubrey earlier, and she didn’t answer. She texted me to say something came up,” I admit.

“Sorry, man,” Hunter says. “I know how hard it is not to see Madison when we’re on the road. I can’t imagine what it must be like for you.”