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“I just thought…It’s been so long since I’ve spent any real time with any of them. With everything that happened…”
I reach for his hand again, not giving a damn who sees when I squeeze it with mine. We’re supposed to be seen, after all, right?
“Anyone who knows you,” I tell him firmly, “knows who you are. No one who really knows you could ever think you’re capable of the things people have said about you.”
He nods, swallowing thickly. “I wish I had as much faith in me as you do.”
“It’s fine,” I answer. “I have enough for the both of us.”
His gaze lingers on my face, his jaw working. “You told Logan that we’re a thing.”
“Aren’t we?”
“I hoped we were,” he says quietly.
My lips quirk. “Then what’s the problem?”
“He could say something to Jack,” Ian points out. “You okay with that?”
“He’s going to have to find out soon, anyway.” I step closer, sliding my arm around Ian’s waist. “I don’t really think I can keep the way I feel about you a secret for much longer.”
His breath hitches, and his eyes flick to my mouth, like he’s considering taking it. “And how is that?”
“Hm.” I throw caution to the wind, pushing up on my toes and brushing my lips gently against his in something that can barely be called a kiss but lights me up inside all the same. “Go win your game, and we’ll talk all about it.”
“Okay,” he sighs against my lips.
I step back, beaming at him before I land a hard slap on his ass. “Get out there, Cupcake. I’ll be watching.”
The heat in his eyes as he leaves me could melt the entire rink.
The game has been a rush of excitement for both of the teams the various players have split into; Ian ended up on the same team as Jankowski and Rankin, joined by Logan, Oscar, and Lyle. I’ve watched them all laugh and smile between plays, each interaction bringing Ian more and more out of his shell and looking more at ease.
“Wait, so why did they blow the whistle?”
“Offside,” I tell Ava.
“Is that why they’re going back to the little circles?”
“Mhm. The player can’t pass that blue line before the puck.”
“This game seemed way more fun when the players could still beat the shit out of one another.”
I frown, imagining Ian being mauled by another player. “Yeah, let’s not hope for that.”
“Your guy could handle himself,” Ava says, snorting. “He’s practically Wreck-It Ralph with red hair.” She cocks her head, watching Ian as he blocks Connors on the other team from shooting a goal past Lyle. “Now I’m imagining him in overalls.”
“Stop imagining Ian in things,” I hiss, elbowing her in the side.
“I’m single,” she huffs. “Let me live vicariously through the good dick you’re getting.”
“Shh.” I slap her knee. “There are kids around.” I scowl when I glance back at the ice, jumping to my feet with dozens of other people around me as we all shout at the referee at once. “Dude, move! You’re blocking the play!”
Ava eyes me with a cocked brow as I sink back down onto the bench, grumbling. “What just happened?”
“Ref got in the way of the play,” I tell her. “Logan couldn’t score because he was blocking the goal.”
“You know this is a friendly game, right?”
