Page 66 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

“I’m glad you have someone like her.” He hesitates and I get the sense that there’s more he wants to say.

“What is it?” I prompt.

“Have you heard from your parents at all?”

“No.” I don’t sound nearly as sad over that answer as I expected to with that answer. “I think they’re in Japan right now.”

Luke doesn’t bother hiding the disgust on his face. “They don’t deserve you. I hope you know that.”

I grab a glass from the cabinet and fill it with ice and water. The kitchen is small enough that I bump into Luke when I stumble slightly in my socked feet. He grasps my hip, steadying me. I look up at him, finding the air caught in my lungs.

Both of us stand like that, frozen. He moves first, taking the glass from my fingers and putting it on the counter.

“Bertie.” He rests both hands on my hips, his thumbs circling the bare skin of my bump where my tank has ridden up.

“Y-Yes?” I stutter.

His tongue slides out just slightly. “I know this might not make any sense right now, but I really want to kiss you.” He brings one hand to my cheek, gently grazing the backs of his fingers against my sensitive skin.

I bite my lip, willing a strength into my voice I don’t actually feel. “Then why don’t you?”

“Because I’m not sure that’s what you want.” His eyes search mine. “I don’t want to pressure you into anything you don’t want.” He gently raises my chin when I duck my head. “I want you, Bertie. Ever since the moment I first laid eyes on you years ago, I fell for you. I know it sounds insane, but it’s true. I’m willing to wait however long it takes if you think you might want me too.”

My bottom lip wobbles. “I’m scared.”

He traces that quivering lip with a steady finger. “We can be scared together.”

My breath leaves me in a shaky exhale. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he echoes, lowering his head. His forehead brushes mine and I shiver.

“I think I’d be okay if you kissed me.”

He smiles. “Are you sure?”

I don’t answer him with words, standing on my tiptoes I press my mouth to his and practically melt into him. His arms wrap around me like he wants to pull me as close as possible, but it’s difficult with my belly in the way.

My heart races as he kisses me.

It’s a good kiss.

A damn good kiss.

I don’t know how long we stand there in the kitchenette kissing, but eventually he pulls away and traces his thumb over my mouth. His lips are slightly swollen.

“It’s all going to be okay.”

I choose to believe him.

CHAPTER 23

LUKE

I’ve visited the hockey arena in Nashville before, but this time feels different as I follow Tanner into the building. I hadn’t planned on coming to the arena, but when he asked if I wanted to come it felt wrong to say no.

My nerves feel at an all-time high and it’s not like I’m even here for a practice or game. Hopefully this feeling goes away before the preseason gets underway. The last thing I want is to be the rookie who chokes.

“You’ve been here before, right?” Tanner glances over his shoulder at me where I trail behind him. I might be a few inches taller than him, but I’m lagging because I keep gawking at everything.