Page 79 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

Marilyn: You mean helping Parker get Linc home?

I chuckle, thinking of all the times we’ve had to do that for each other.

As much as I hate not being on the ice, I also miss hanging out with the guys. Being away from home all the time is hard, but they make it worth it. Every single time.

Calvin: Enjoy that.

I let my cell fall to my stomach for a few minutes as I run ideas around in my head for what I can do with Sienna next. I know which one I want to do, but I don’t know if it’s too much too soon. Surely, it’ll be the final clue she needs to work out who I am. But…as much as I’m scared for her to discover the truth, I’m also desperate for her to know. I want her to understand just how much she means to me. How I’ve never forgotten her.

Tugging my nightstand drawer open, I pull the album out again. I swear, I haven’t flicked through it this much since the day I put it together. But I can’t stop.

The second I find our picture, I don’t just stare at it; instead, I slip my finger inside the wallet and pull it free. Absently, I throw the album into the drawer and prop the photo of the two of us against my bedside lamp.

The happiness in her eyes draws me in, as does her easy smile.

She’s so happy here. It fucking wrecks me to know that not long after this was taken, she found herself subjected to bullies who made her think less of herself. No one should have the power to do that to anyone.

She was perfect then, and she still is now. Somehow, I’m going to help her see that.

I open a new tab on my cell and start browsing ideas for our next date. I’m lost in my research when a new message comes in. A wide smile spreads across my mouth at the name at the top of my screen.

She’s still thinking about me.

Sienna: Thank you for a great night.

I can’t wipe the grin off my face as I begin replying.

Calvin: You’re more than welcome. Already looking forward to the next time…

Sienna: Did you mean what you said earlier?

My heart slams against my ribs. I understand her reasons for doubting me. I've never shown signs of wanting to date or settle down before, and from what I can tell, she’s been watching me pretty closely and is aware of the life I lead. But if she’s been watching, why hasn’t she figured it out? It’s not a secret where I’m from or what my life was like before hockey. Maybe her stalking skills need some improvement—or maybe she’s an even better actress than I give her credit for and she’s known all this time. No. That can’t be true. There would have been clues. I’d know if she knew.

Calvin: Every. Single. Word.

And I did. There’s only one woman I’ve ever wanted to date. That I could see a future with. I thought that maybe I was clinging onto a memory that I’d built up to something it never was in my head over the years. But now she’s here and standing right in front of me, I know that none of it was fake or just a part of my imagination. Sienna Wentworth is the one for me. The only one for me.

Sienna: Then I’m looking forward to our next date.

“Fuck,” I breathe, suddenly feeling the pressure.

It needs to be perfect. It needs to be something worthy of her.

Of us.

Calvin: Me too. More than you know.

I quickly close out of the chat before she can reply and open another.

Calvin: I have a question.

Darcy: Shoot.

Calvin: Can I ride a horse?

The message is read, but it takes long seconds before I get a reply. And when it comes through, it’s not the slightest bit helpful.

Darcy: I don’t know, Killer. Can you ride a horse?