Page 228 of Don't Fall for the Goalie
Daltyn looks completely unbothered, which honestly might be the craziest part.
“She needs more hockey clothing.” He scratches the back of his neck. “Team spirit.”
Connor clutches his chest violently. “He’s lying to himself.” His eyes glance wildly around the room. “Somebody sedate him.”
Allie is openly laughing now.
Harper appears beside her, holding an iced coffee. “Did I miss the emotional devastation?”
“Daltyn voluntarily gave Peyton his jersey,” Allie says.
Harper gasps. “No.”
Connor points again. “This is openly domestic.”
My face burns hotter with every second.
But the worst part? I kind of love wearing it.
Which feels dangerous.
Standing here beside Daltyn with his hand on my back while his teammates lose their minds somehow feels… right.
The realization hits hard enough to momentarily steal my breath.
Daltyn glances down at me. “You okay?”
There’s immediate concern in his voice, like noticing my moods is instinct now.
My chest squeezes painfully.
“Yeah,” I say softly. “I am.”
His thumb brushes lightly against my back once before he guides me toward the autograph tables.
The entire event blurs into organized chaos after that.
Kids swarm Daltyn constantly.
And somehow? Watching him with them nearly destroys me emotionally.
Because now I understand him better.
I witness his patience.
His gentleness.
His protectiveness.
His hyper-awareness.
Every scared kid gravitates toward him.
And Daltyn notices all of them.
The shy ones.
The overwhelmed ones.
