Page 84 of Slapshot Bride

I glance away. “I know it's a huge thing to ask, especially with your career and everything, but...”

He kisses me.

His lips slant over mine, and I moan into the kiss. Before I can deepen it, he pulls away.

“Done. I think the fans will be thrilled to see a woman on my arm, so you’ll be doing my drowning Playboy reputation a solid one.” He flashes his brows, and I chuckle.

I don’t laugh too long because he’s kissing me again, and Lord knows I can’t resist. Not when his fingers are buried in my hair, and his free hand is sliding down my lower back into the waistband of my shorts.

He pulls away and stares into my eyes with a smirk.

“Wanna seal the deal upstairs?”

“Your playboy reputation is really in the mud if this is your game.” I swat at his chest, but he catches both my hands before I can make contact. Laughing, I lean down and kiss him again, lingering against his lips. “In a few minutes?”

“Okay.”

I move from his chest and grab my phone from the couch.

“What are you up to?”

“I… I need to call my mom. I think it’s time I speak to her before Preston blows the story out of proportion. Enough time has passed.”

He nods.

“Do you want me to leave the room?”

I don’t have a response to that because I don’t know what to say. Do I want him there?

Yes. Thoughts of being on a call with my mom after these past two weeks have my heart racing. I have no idea what I’ll say, but it has to be done, if it’s not already too late.

Part of me wants Easton there because he's been nothing but supportive.

The other part wants to do this on my own. He's already done more than enough for me.

It’s time I face my fears head-on, the same way I ran out of that wedding without second thoughts.

This was what I wanted, wasn’t it?

Before I can fully decide, he’s up on his feet. He reaches for my free hand and squeezes softly. He leans in for a quick kiss.

“I’ll be in bed waiting for you. Take all the time you need.”

And he’s gone.

As soon as he’s out of earshot, I drag in a deep breath and sit back on the couch.

I stare at my phone for a minute, unsure if this is the right decision, but eventually, I unlock the screen. I scroll to her name and click on call before I can think about it.

She picks up on the second ring.

“Oh Riley, honey…”

Her voice. Hearing it brings tears to my eyes, and a small smile too.

I hear the worry in it, and I immediately realize the past few weeks must have been very difficult for her.

“Hi, Mom.”