Page 28 of The Holiday Wildcard

“Well, my brothers believe the money from this tournament will save the farm. And maybe it does for a while.” I stare beyond her at the dead lights. “I’ve wanted this since I was a kid. But every time I get close to a real contract, somebody better always comes along. I've always had to go home and tell them I've failed. I can't keep doing it.”

Audrey’s eyes soften. “And if you fail here?”

“I disappoint my brothers again, probably lose the farm my parents have worked so hard for, and prove every team that let me go was right.”

“That’s dramatic.”

A surprised laugh punches out of me. “Thanks.”

“I’m serious. You’re talented, but I don’t think even your thighs possess the power to destroy an entire family business.”

I look down at her. “You noticed my thighs?”

She laughs and looks down to where I'm still holding her by the hips. "And your hands. You have really nice hands, Miles."

I smile and can't help but lean in, because I'm not fucking stopping myself this time. I need to kiss her.

And she just said the words I needed to hear.

She doesn't regret leaving him. That fucker doesn't deserve her anyway.

I wet my lips and lean forward, watching her eyes carefully for any sign that she doesn't want this.

I find none.

Then, just as my nose almost touches hers, every bulb and light blazes to life above us. The crowd erupts from behind the branches and Christmas Carollers start singing from somewhere around the rink.

“STRATTON!” Nate shouts. “You fixing the tree or trying to plug something else in?”

Audrey drops her forehead against my chest, laughing.

“I’m going to kill him,” I say.

Then, she reaches out, grabs my hand and leads us out from beneath the tree.

We emerge beneath a storm of applause. Audrey’s cheeks are pink, but she’s laughing, and I can still feel the shape of her body beneath my hands.

Big Mike intercepts us wearing a grin that immediately makes me suspicious.