Page 135 of Scarred

I nod my head and want to fully believe it.

“You really love him, don’t you?” My sister studies me from across the table, as I’m unable to hide what I’m feeling.

“I do,” I sigh. “He’s just…Cayden. I can’t explain it, but it feels so right, you know? Like it’s meant to be….like everything suddenly makes sense. He makes me feel…”

“Like you’re home,” Emma finishes softly.

“Exactly,” I smile. “He’s familiar to me like I’ve known him all my life. It’s like finally finding a piece of me deep inside that’s just been waiting for him. I feel…” My throat gets thick with emotions as a wave of love washes over me. “I feel like for the first time in my life, I have all of me. He was just the missing part,” I whisper, dropping my eyes to my untouched food on my plate as I twirl the fork in my hand.

The table goes quiet as I fidget in my seat.

“That probably sounds crazy,” I say, with a slight laugh.

“No,” Emma says quickly. “It doesn’t sound crazy at all.” She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand as I lift my eyes to hers. “I felt the same way when I met Noah.”

“Maverick’s always felt like home to me,” Bella says, her blue eyes brimming with love.

“Finding Travis,” Sophia smiles as she dabs the corner of her eyes with a napkin, “was exactly what you described.”

“Looks like two more souls have found their way back to each other,” Emma smiles. “I love it when that happens.” She excitedly claps her hands, and her joy has us doing a little happy dance in our seats.

“So when are you telling your brother?” Emma asks when we all dig into our food again.

“Don’t forget about Maverick,” Bella chuckles.

“And Travis,” Sophia giggles. “Your three guard dogs are going to find out sooner or later, especially if Trav sees you in his jersey tomorrow night.”

“I know,” I groan. “Just give me a few days to figure it out. I want to tell them in person. I’m hoping that since they like him, it will go smoothly.”

“Noah does like him,” Emma agrees.

“But, you also know how Maverick and Noah can be. They are going to give him the talk just like they gave Travis,” Sophia says, rolling her eyes. “I’ll talk to Travis about keeping quiet, but the sooner you tell everyone that you two are together, the better.”

“Agreed,” Bella says, taking a sip of her drink.

I know they’re right because tomorrow night, when I put on his jersey and walk into that arena, everyone is going to know the truth.

I’m not falling for Cayden Blade anymore.

I’ve already fallen.

FORTY

CAYDEN

Tuning out the noise from the locker room, I get in my zone as I adjust the last of my pads. It’s a big game tonight against the Vipers, who are leading the Pacific Division. Their goalie is damn good and is right behind me for the Vezina Trophy this year.

The playoffs are right around the corner, and even though we are leading the Atlantic Division in points and are practically guaranteed a spot, I want this win.

“How are you feeling, Blade?”

I look up and see Stone standing there. His face is game-ready without an ounce of emotion across his features. He’s locked in and focused just like I am.

“I’m ready,” I reply, throwing my #40 jersey over my head with a smirk. “The Vipers’ goalie isn’t going to make it easy for you guys tonight on scoring.”

“We’ll get past him,” he snorts. “Besides, they don’t have what we’ve got.”

“Which is?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.