Page 251 of Don't Fall for the Goalie
I laugh. “Noted.”
Then suddenly it’s just us again.
The arena shakes with noise overhead.
Daltyn turns toward me fully. And the look in his eyes nearly steals the air from my lungs.
Gone is the guarded emptiness he used to wear like armor.
Now there’s only love.
Raw, terrifying, honest love.
His hand slides gently along my jaw. “You’ll stay where security can see you?”
Emotion catches painfully in my chest because even now, even while happy, he worries about protecting me.
“I’ll be with Allie and Harper.”
At the look he gives me, I add, “I promise.”
He studies my face for another second before leaning down and pressing his forehead softly against mine, making sure the mask on top of his head doesn’t bump me.
The world around us fades.
“You know what’s weird?” he murmurs quietly.
“What?”
“I used to hate opening nights.”
I blink in surprise. “You hated them?”
“Too loud. Too many people. Too much pressure.” His thumb brushes lightly beneath my jaw. “Felt like drowning half the time.”
My chest aches.
It makes sense.
I picture a younger Daltyn, carrying unbearable weight alone, pretending he wasn’t terrified. Believing survival and isolation were the same thing.
But tonight? He looks peaceful. Grounded. Present.
“Now?” I whisper softly.
A slow smile spreads across his face.
And God. I think happy Daltyn might be my favorite version of him.
“Now I get to look for you in the crowd.”
Emotion hits so hard my knees nearly buckle.
Before I can recover enough to respond, he kisses me softly.
Slow. Certain. Reverent.
Then he pulls back just enough to murmur, “Wish me luck, baby.”
