I nod, grinning so hard my cheeks ache. “Majorly, totally.”
Knox raises our joined hands to his lips and kisses them. “Does this mean you’re ready to make it official?”
“Yes…and no.” His face falls, and I rush to explain. “I want the commitment and the labels and lazy Sunday mornings with you. I want it all.”
“But?”
“I think we should wait until the season is over to go public. The team is finally clicking, and I don’t want to screw things up.”
“Public or private, our relationship isn’t going to hurt the team.”
“Maybe.” I bite my lower lip, thinking it over. “But our relationship would be a distraction. On the ice and in the locker room. The guys might not care, but Adam will. That kind of anger and tension will fester, and it’ll impact the whole team.” I sigh. “Things between us are getting better, and some days I even think he recognizes that I’m a grown woman with agency, so who knows? Maybe given enough time, he’ll be okay with us dating. But if he truly can’t accept our relationship, at least it will come to a head during the offseason.”
When the fallout will be minimal.
Knox frowns. “What about your job?”
It’s a valid question. I’ve worked too darn hard to throw it all away, even for love, but maybe it doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game. So what if things don’t work out with the Gliders? Sure, it’s my dream job, but I earned my spot here and I can do it again, somewhere else.
“I love the work, but I hate the leadership. Banks is a misogynistic ass, and as much as I’d like a permanent position with the Gliders, I need to be realistic.” I shrug. “If the teamcontinues to win, I should be able to leverage my experience to find something less toxic, even if it’s not pro.”
“You shouldn’t have to walk away from a job that you love, for any reason.”
He’s right, but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make, because it’s less about our relationship and more about Banks, and that’s not a battle I’m equipped to fight. Not when I’m a contract employee with zero power and he’s BFFs with the GM.
I curl up to Knox’s side, resting my head on his chest. “I already have what I want most: you.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders, holding me tight. “Alright. If this is what you really want, we’ll keep it quiet for now. But you better believe that when we go public, I’m going to be loud and proud.”
“Thank you.” I stretch up and brush a soft kiss on his lips. “When the season is over, we’re going to figure this out…together.”
27
KNOX
It’s Sunday morning,and while I’d normally sleep in, my ribs are killing me, so I’m up early baking instead. Last night’s game against the Capitals was a barn burner. It was hard-hitting, heavy on penalties, and the fans were rocking the Treehouse.
The entire place was electric, and I loved every second of it, despite the fact that we damn near went into OT. Thanks to a nasty deke by Bash, I managed to snipe one in the back of the net with twenty seconds left on the clock.
Despite the bruises I collected, it was a hell of a game, the kind that leaves you hungry for more.
Having Ava and her friends in the stands cheering us on was just the cherry on top.
The tickets were a gift, my way of thanking Lexie and Kayla for Friday night. And maybe it was my imagination, but I swear I could hear Lexie cussing like a sailor over the din of the raucous crowd.
I chuckle at the memory. Some things never change.
Ava’s friends are leaving today, so I thought I’d make a batch of cinnamon rolls before they head out to the airport. Hartsfield is a nightmare on a good day, and on a Sunday, it’s going to bebusy as hell. They’re likely to spend a few hours in the security line, so they’re going to need the sugar.
“What is that delicious smell?” Ava asks, padding into the kitchen. Her hair is tied up in a messy bun, and her shapely legs are on full display beneath her Gliders jersey. My cock stirs at the sight of her, and I sweep her into my arms for a quick kiss.
“I made cinnamon rolls. I just need to frost them and then we can eat.”
She groans. “If you keep this up, I’m going to have to double my time at the gym.”
I swat her ass playfully. “Stop it, you’re gorgeous. But I mean, if you’re looking to burn a few extra calories, I volunteer as tribute.”
She snorts, amusement shining in her dark eyes. “I’ll bet you do.”