Page 201 of Secret Obsession
“Yeah. Maybe it’ll help…” I clear my throat. “BJ is letting in too many goals. He needs a pep talk or something.”
She sighs. I lean into her, hooking my arm around her shoulders.
Violet climbs out of the driver’s seat. I blink, surprised that she’s here. That she drove them. But then again, I wouldn’t have wanted Willow behind the wheel in a mad dash to follow the ambulance. That would’ve been a recipe for disaster.
I hug her and thank her quietly, so her best friend can’t hear. Because I know Violet left the game more for her than me, and I appreciate it.
She accepts my gratitude and steps back. “So… we’re going back to the game?”
“Yes.”
Knox takes the front. I cinch Willow into my side in the backseat, trying to silently convince her that I’m not going to die. Or break into a million pieces. She keeps a straight face, but she’s not fooling me. She shudders when I press my lips to her temple, and she can’t look at me now that we’re on the road.
Back at the stadium, Violet and Willow follow Knox and me into the players’ entrance. Then into the locker room, which is empty. I change into my street clothes and unload my gear into my hockey bag, leaving it on the bench.
“Okay.” I take Willow’s hand.
Violet and Knox head out first, and I stop my girl.
“Hey. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“It was scary,” I comment. “We’re allowed to be scared.”
“I know.”
“Okay.”
“If something had happened to you—” She cuts herself off and turns away.
“If something happened to me, what?”
“I’ve never come so close to wanting to drown myself in alcohol,” she admits. “I wanted toleavethe hospital and go to the closest liquor store then just sit in the dark and make myself numb. That terrifies me. The hold that dropping into that space where I just don’t care—”
“But you didn’t.” I tug her closer, ignoring the rigid set of her shoulders. “You stayed.”
“Because of Knox,” she whispers. She swipes under her eye, catching a rolling tear. “Because I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I left while he stayed.”
I chuckle. “He’s good for something, then.”
Her expression is stricken. “I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize, baby.” I kiss her again, stealing the sweetness of her lips, before pulling back. “Now, let’s go whip some Hawks into shape.”
“And meet my parents,” she adds.
Oh, fuck. I forgot about that.
WILLOW
Meeting the parents—check.
Moving in together—check.
Falling in love—check.
Weird, right? The idea of me in love?
