Page 175 of Offside Rules

I’ve missed her.

Not just talking to her. This. Her forehead against my chest, her hand settling at my back. Knowing where she is without looking at a phone.

I hold her closer.

"I wasn’t sure you’d want me here," she says against my shirt.

"I’ve wanted you here since I got here."

Behind us, Dad clears his throat. "I’m going to check something in the back."

Baylor chuckles and I can see her cheeks warm slightly.

I wait until he’s gone before tipping her chin up with my good hand.

"I’m sorry I didn’t call."

"You scared me."

"I know."

"No, you don’t. I kept hearing that you were sleeping, and I was glad you were getting some rest, but then I started wondering whether you just didn’t want to talk to me."

"I wanted to. I didn’t know how to do it without asking you to come."

Her eyes fill, and I brush my thumb beneath one before the tear falls.

"You could’ve asked," she says. "I’m very good at booking flights. Apparently, so is my brother."

I pause. "Beau?"

"He bought my ticket."

"Your brother bought you a ticket to come see me?"

"I’m still a little surprised myself."

I let out a quiet laugh, looking past her at the rental car.

"He came to the shop this morning," she continues. "He’s sorry, Wolf. For what he did on the ice. For the way he spoke to me. He said it was wrong before he knew anything about the foundation."

I look back at her.

"He said that?"

She nods. "He wants me to be happy."

"And you told him you were coming here?"

"He’s the one who drove me to the airport."

I don’t know what to say to that. The last time I saw Beau, he was telling me to stay away from her. Now she’s standing in front of me because he helped her get here.

"He wants to talk to you," she adds. "When you’re ready."

"I can do that."

"Good. Because I’d really like to be able to leave you two in a room without somebody needing medical attention."