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“Everyone makes mistakes, and I have definitely made my fair share. Perhaps my work with the culture board is my attempt to atone for some of them. To use my position and my privilege to make sure that other voices can be heard. To ensure that no one ever feels less than or other because of what they look like or how they express themselves or even…” He turned to me, his gaze on mine as he said, “Who they love.”

The intensity swirling in his gray eyes stole the breath from my lungs. Was he saying what I thought he was? Was he telling me he loved me?

Before I could dwell on it, Frank asked another question, and I forced myself to tear my gaze away from Carson’s.

He didn’t have to say the words because I knew. I knew Carson loved me just as I knew I loved him.

He was my partner and my equal in every sense of the word. He always uplifted and encouraged me. He would never want to hold me back. He would never expect me to put my career—my life—on hold for his.

Our relationship would likely face challenges, especially as we returned to the ice this fall. But I had faith in us and our relationship. Because Carson and I were a team, pursuing our goals together.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Logan slid from beneath my arm, taking her warmth with her. “Where are you off to?” I mumbled, still half asleep.

Early morning sunlight was spilling onto the floor, onto the bed, gold overtaking the gray of dawn. If I squinted, I could just barely make out Logan’s figure, but without my glasses, everything beyond her was a blur.

She leaned over, brushing my curls away from my forehead before placing a kiss on my temple. “It’s early. Go back to sleep. See you later?”

As if she even needed to ask.

“Lo.” I circled her wrist with my hand, waiting until her eyes met mine to say, “You don’t have to ask because the answer is always yes. I want to spend time with you. I want you to stay with me.”

She tilted her head. “I’ve stayed here almost every night.” But her things were still at Georgia’s. She still showered and got ready at Georgia’s.

“Exactly,” I said. “And if you kept your stuff here, you wouldn’t have to spend as much time running from one place to the other.” It wasn’t the first time I’d mentioned this, but it was definitely the first time she seemed to seriously consider it.

“True,” she hedged.

“I know how much you hate living out of a suitcase.” I hoped I could appeal to her logic if nothing else. “And we both know I have the superior mattress. You should stay here. Be here.”

She gnawed on her bottom lip. “What if someone sees me leaving your apartment?”

I barked out a laugh, though I knew it was a real concern of hers. She had yet to tell her brother about us. And until she did, we planned to continue to keep this a secret from our friends.

Even so, she was still coming and going from my place. There was no avoiding the risk of discovery, not in a building where many of my teammates lived. At least, not unless we stopped seeing each other. And that wasn’t an option.

“Lo, if anything, you’d be coming and going less than you are now.”

“What if we get sick of each other? What if you need space?”

I cupped her cheek, loving the way she leaned into my touch. There wasn’t a shred of doubt in my mind. “I won’t.” I leaned forward to kiss her.

“You don’t know that.”

“No, but I do know that you can always escape to Georgia’s if you need a break.” Though I hoped she wouldn’t. “Besides, it’s just for the off-season.” I hated saying the words, even as I knew they’d make her more likely to agree.

“Actually…” She gnawed on her bottom lip, and I wanted to tug it between my teeth. “I’m not supposed to say anything because it might not even happen, but there’s a small chance I’m moving to California.”

I stilled, certain I’d misheard. “You what?”

“My contract with the Wolves expired at the end of last season. They want to re-sign me, but so does Anaheim.”

Holy shit. I sat up in bed, grabbing my glasses and then leaning back against the headboard.

“Lo.” I took her hand in mine. “That’s amazing. Are the offers comparable?”

“Yes,” she sighed. “Which is why I’m having such a tough time making a decision.”