Page 16 of If You Love Me

“That’s what you’re worried about, right? Me ruining your career?”

“I didn’t think you’d remember me,” I whisper.

He scoffs and pulls up in front of my building. “You knew who I was the entire time.”

“Not at first. Not right away.” He’d looked so familiar. I couldn’t figure out why—until he said his name was Roman. Then I’d realized who I was sitting beside, watching a baseball game with. I’d wanted to play it cool.

“But you knew by the time I asked you out to dinner.” One hand stays on the wheel, gripping tightly. “And when I invited you up to my suite.” His gaze shifts my way. “When you got on your knees for me. You knew.”

This is why he’s angry? Or at least part of the reason. I knew who he was and didn’t tell him. And then I left without saying goodbye. “I’m sorry I didn’t?—”

He cuts me off before I can get the rest of the sentence out. “Have a good night, Coach Forrester. I’ll see you on the ice tomorrow.”

I want to tell him I didn’t say anything because we’d already agreed not to talk about our jobs. I wanted to be me, and I wanted him to be a man I’d connected with. Genuinely. Authentically. But what will I accomplish by being honest?

“Thank you for the ride. See you tomorrow, Goalie.” I grabthe takeout and exit his car. It isn’t until I’m inside the building and on the way up to my place that I realize I’m still wearing his jacket.

CHAPTER 7

ROMAN

Ishould not have offered to drive Lexi home. Or opened the fucking can of worms by talking about the past.

I’m always stable. Steady. I don’t lose control. I’ve spent the past twenty years focused on my career and making sure my daughter was raised in a loving home. There was no room for anyone who might upset the careful balance.

Except Lexi.

Every time I’m around her, my control slips a little more.

It was like that even when we spent the weekend together. I couldn’t get enough of her—the way her skin felt under my hands, the sound of my name on her lips when I made her come, the way she fulfilled every depraved fantasy I’d ever had.

But it was so much more than that.

And now.

Now.

She’s part of my every day.

And seeing her on the ice, learning my teammates, sharing her passion for the sport that’s been my second love for two decades—is pushing me to the edge. I can’t even deal when one of the guys smiles at her. I’m losing my damn mind.

I’m struggling most with knowing sheknewwho I was.Probably even understood the potential risk she was taking when she agreed to dinner. Ending up in bed with a player when her goal was to coach hockey probably hadn’t been on her list of dicey choices. Maybe she didn’t even realize this was a path she’d even end up on. But she took the chance. And then she ran out without saying goodbye.And what the fuck does that mean? How do I deal with that revelation? Especially now, when I can’t have her.

Dallas

Let’s all play nice today.

Ash

No ice sprints please.

Flip

I said I was sorry.

Tristan

My legs are sorry.