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"I know you’re in there!" I yell. "I see your car in the parking lot."
The silence stretches on, and true fear of losing her is starting to set in.
"Please, Jayden," I say, my voice softer now. "Open the door."
The doorknob jiggles, and the door slowly opens. There she is. Her bright green eyes narrow with concern.
"Why aren't you at the ball?" She tilts her head, one hand on the jamb.
"Didn't have a date," I grumble, shoving my hands into the pockets of my slacks. "She left." My voice sounds hollow, even to my own ears, but there's no point in sugarcoating it. "But the ball doesn't matter."
Her lips part slightly. I can see the wheels turning in her head. It's not just about the ball, and we both know it.
"Can I come in?" I ask, leaning forward. There's more at stake here than pride or ego.
Jayden hesitates, the door still ajar, her gaze searching mine. Then she takes a step back to let me in.
I step into her apartment as the door clicks shut behind me. She retreats to the couch.
"Ryder, what are you doing here?" She says and tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You could lose everything."
"Maybe," I admit as my eyes scan her face. "None of that means a damn thing without you."
Her breath catches. "You're serious?"
"Damn right, I am." I move forward until I'm close enough to see the flecks of gold in her green eyes. "I've got more money thanI know what to do with, but not a single penny brings me the peace you do, Jayden."
She rises from the couch, closing the gap between us. "Risking even your relationship with your family... for me?" Her hand reaches up, hesitating just shy of my cheek before making contact.
"Nothing's worth having if it means losing you," I say, voice barely above a whisper.
"Ryder..." She pauses, her gaze locking onto mine. "I love you. I didn't want to admit it, scared you'd run. But damn it, I do."
Hearing those words from her lips, it breaks something loose within me—a dam holding back years of fear and self-preservation. It's a rush of emotion that leaves no room for doubt or regret.
"I love you too, Jayden," I confess. "More than I thought possible."
Chapter 17
Jayden
I tug Ryder's hand and drag him into my apartment. The door clicks shut, and he pauses our movement to twist the lock into place.
"Come on," I urge, not letting go of his calloused fingers as I lead him through the living room.
The path to my bedroom is short but charged. As we walk in, I catch Ryder stealing a glance at the book on my nightstand—a copy of "Hat Trick" with its glossy cover of a chiseled hockey player.
"Whatcha got here?" he asks, thumbing the corner of the book as his gaze lifts to meet mine.
"Ah, that's just my guilty pleasure," I confess, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. "It's about this strong-willed girl falling for a brooding hockey player."
"Sounds... familiar," he says, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.
"Does it now?" I tease, stepping closer. "Hockey romance has its charms, you know."
"Charm is not exactly the word I'd use for getting checked into the boards," he quips, cracking his knuckles absently.
"Maybe so," I concede, "but it's the moments off the ice that really count."
