Page 246 of Don't Fall for the Goalie
“I’m literally fightingfor survival.”
Daltyn laughs. Not one of his low huffs. Real laughter.
The sound hits me right in the chest.
It’s warm. Easy. Happy.
And I realize with startling clarity that I would do almost anything to hear it again.
“You gonna let go of me at some point?” he asks.
“No.”
“Pey.”
“I’m serious.”
He grins.Grins.
Jesus Christ.
Who even is this man anymore?
“I’ve got you,” he says softly.
The words settle somewhere deep inside me.
Because he does. He always does.
Unfortunately, my body chooses that exact moment to betray me.
My skate slips. A shriek flies out of me as I pitch sideways.
Daltyn catches me around the waist before I can faceplant into the ice.
At the exact same moment, I hear the sound that makes me wish I could melt into the ice.
“HOLY SHIT,” Connor yells across the rink. “THE GOALIE’S EXPERIENCING JOY!”
I close my eyes in horror.
Of course they’re here.
Jake skates closer, openly staring at Daltyn like he’s witnessing a scientific breakthrough. “Somebody document this before he becomes emotionally unavailable again.”
Ford looks deeply disturbed. “He’s smiling. I’m uncomfortable.”
Cole points at me, hanging onto Daltyn.
“Look at her gripping him for survival,” he says, laughing. “She’s one missed step away from climbing him like a tree.”
“Cole,” I hiss.
Connor gasps dramatically. “Oh my God. They’re in LOVE love.”
I try to escape, which is impossible because ice is apparently Satan’s flooring choice.
My skate slips again.
