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“It’s amazing.” I turn to face Aiden. “You’re amazing.” I mouth, only for him to see.
“It’s the least I could do,” Aiden says, shrugging. “These kids will do great things one day.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Coach Joseph tells him, before turning to me. “We have multiple age groups here practicing, running drills, but it’s more than that. We give these kids everything they need for the best chance to succeed. Skates. Equipment. Lessons.”
“You give them the best shot at a happy life,” I say, understanding wholeheartedly what happens here.
The coach nods. “It was great meeting you, Cassidy. I gotta get back to it.”
“Nice to meet you, Coach.” I smile and listen to his goodbye to Slate before he pats him on the back proudly and skates off to help the kids.
I chuckle, unable to keep the happiness from bubbling over. “You’re really amazing.”
“Just trying to pay back my investment.” He winks, and I melt—that single action is so sexy.
My stomach flips in the best way possible, and the need to get him out of this place and back in bed is too intense.
“You did that and so much more,” I say.
“It’s the least I could do.” He looks around, and I can see how proud he is.
“Coach Joseph is right. Don’t sell yourself short, Aiden. This,” I say, motioning around. “All of this. It must cost a fortune. Not many would do that.”
“There’s only so much money I need to live off; the rest, it goes to give these kids a chance.”
I throw my arms around him at that, kissing his lips. I hear the giggles as I do, but I don’t care.
I love this man.
43
AIDEN
Tonight, I’m back in Tampa for game five against the Bulldogs. If we win this round, we advance to round three of the playoffs.
That puts only two teams standing between us and the Cup.
The atmosphere in the locker room is always intense, but today, even more so. Everyone focuses on getting ready for the game. Getting their head into the right headspace to dominate.
It’s what I’ve been doing since I arrived at the rink.
I have a different method from the rest of them. Always have and they’ve always respected it.
My teammates are all in a huddle, laughing and joking around as they get ready.
I’m in my private space, just out of sight, slowly working through my pre-game rituals of taping my hand, righting my socks, and mentally preparing myself.
Knowing Cass sits in the stands ready to watch me makes today feel different.
Sure, I’ve played in front of her before, but this feels different. Probably because it’s really official that we’re actually a couple.
We’re dating.
We might not have said as much, but that’s what this is. I want to be with her, and she wants to be with me. And this will be the first time she’s watched me since.
I take a deep breath and try to steady my nerves, finishing the last of my stuff before joining my team.
Coach steps forward, coughing once to get our attention. We all know better than to have him do it a second time.
