Page 214 of Cross Check

“I’m going to apologize in advance for often I’m going to say it this year, but you’re a head fucking coach, baby.” I strip out of my clothes and climb in behind her, groaning at the warmth that greets my muscles. “I’m so proud of you.”

“It’s going to be hard to stay positive if we find ourselves in the middle of a losing streak.” She adjusts her position and leans back, her shoulders pressing in to my chest. She rests her head in the crook of my neck and parts her lips with a slow breath. “But I’m going to remind myself I’m the first woman to hold a position like this, and the backlash is a blessing.”

“You’re doing the damn thing.” I wrap my arms around her and pull her closer. “Just think of Simon Buttecker’s face when you’re struggling to find motivation. Win for him.”

“I’d also like to kick him in the nose.” Lia traces over the ridge of my knuckles with her pointer finger and a sigh. “We’re going to have to be extra careful this season. More people have access to me, and that means more chances of someone finding out about us.”

“We’ll be more discreet, which means not acknowledging each other when we’re on the ice. If we’re in the same space for an event, we’ll keep distance between us so we don’t give anyone a reason to suspect us. What’s the phrase? Absence makes the heart grow fonder? I’m going to be really fucking fond of you behind closed doors, Lia.”

“I’m sorry if it’s asking too much. I guess I’m naïve in thinking I can have both of these things: You and my coaching career. Men do it. Why can’t I?”

“Put that on a goddamn shirt and sell it to the masses. You’d make a killing,” I murmur, resting my hand on her stomach. “And you’re not naïve. When I found out about Coach and Hannah’s relationship, the guys made a good point. They said he’s not going to be my coach forever, so is it really fair to be angry about something that will hold different weight fifteen years down the road? Same could be said for us. I’m not going to play forever. You’re not going to coach forever. We’re going to be two regular senior citizens in fifty years, and the outrage won’t mean anything then.”

“Good point.” She turns her cheek and kisses my bicep, her lips lingering on my damp skin. “Fifty years, huh? Planning on sticking around that long, Everett?”

“I’d sell my soul to the devil if it meant getting just another day with you, baby. I’d do unspeakable things for fifty more years of your attention.”

Amelia spins in the tub. Water sloshes over the edge, but she doesn’t seem to care.

“I dreamed about how this day would go for a long time,” she says. “Even in my wildest fantasies, it didn’t look as perfect as this.”

I pull her in my lap and kiss her. Each press of my mouth is another whisper of praise, another exultation I hope she never gets tired of. When our fingers turn pruny and I wrap a towel around her, I carry her to her room. I set her on the bed, and this time, each kiss is a silent admission. The words I can’t say but desperately want to.

I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you.

SIXTY-SIX

AMELIA

NOVEMBER, ONE SEASON AGO

Me

Remind me when you land?

GE

We have an hour left in the flight, thank fuck.

I’m going to sprint off the plane and head right for you!

Me

Two weeks is too long to go without seeing each other, and FaceTime isn’t the same.

GE

I know. Feels like I’m dying when you’re not around.

Not sure how the hell I survived all those years you were in Denver.

Me

Same. At least we’re both off the next two days so we can do nothing but stay in bed.

I missed you so much.

GE