Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
When he was finally done, I pulled back, gasping for air. I was dizzy and my throat was sore, but I was as happy as I could be.
He stroked my hair as I lay against his hip. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I whispered
“That was so good.”
“Mmm” was all I could manage. Once I caught my breath, I sat up, licked my lips and looked down at him. “Are we really engaged?”
“You said yes. You can’t take it back now.”
“I’m not. I’m just having trouble believing it.”
“Me too. Just like I’m having trouble believing how you woke me up. I could handle that every single morning.”
“I’m not saying it won’t happen again, but don’t count on every morning.”
“Come here. I’m not done with you.”
“You’re going to have to be. I can’t be late to our morning workout.”
“Fuck.” He ran his hand over his face. “How long does the season last?”
“A long fucking time.”
“I’m going to be there for every game. I’m going to watch you. I’m going to cheer you on and I’m going to celebrate with you afterwards. I’m going to make sure you have the best fucking season ever.”
We were in the last five minute of the third period. I’d scored twice, and I was really hoping I could score a third goal and get a hat trick. Everything felt perfect. Our team was working together so well, and even though we were up 7-3, no one was slacking off.
Vince blocked their shot attempt, and Johnson took possession of the puck. I skated so fast I felt like I was flying, and when he passed to me, I knew the time was right, I was going to score.
I grabbed the pass and slammed it right into the goal. The crowd went wild. My teammates and I hugged, and I raised my hands to the fans as hats began to rain down onto the ice. It was an amazing feeling.
“Damn, it really is your night,” Johnson said. I grinned as he gave me a double high five and skated around, avoiding all the hats on the ice as they were being collected. I felt like I was on top of a mountain, and when I looked up and I saw Vito in the stands, on his feet screaming as loudly as he could, I was sure his hat was down here with all the others. The warmth that spread through me seemed to light me on fire.
When gameplay begin again, our coordination was top-notch. Our opponents got one more shot on goal, and our goalie easily deflected it. We kept pushing, and I wondered if there was any chance we’d get a ninth goal of the night.
Johnson made an attempt just as the buzzer went off. The goalie fell to the ice, stopping the puck, but it didn’t matter, we’d won 8-3.
It was a night to celebrate the best game of my life.
Johnson scooped me up and spun me around. We were laughing and hollering and all I could think about was the moment I would get to put my arms around Vito.
No one could say I hadn’t done my absolute best. Hopefully, any doubts Coach Martin had about my reliability were gone now.
Chaos reigned for a while after the game ended. We greeted fans, talked to the press, recapped with the coaches, and finally, I was able to shower and change. I walked out of the locker room and Vito was there. He picked me up and spun me around, kissing me and not caring who was watching.
“I couldn’t be more proud of you. I knew you could play like that.”
“I knew it too. I just had to know I wasn’t being threatened. And being supported by you and your family, knowing that I can put my problems in the past and that if I screw up again you’ll be here to help me makes me feel so fucking good.”
“We’re going out with the team, right?
“I want to, but I also want….”
“You’ll get everything you want. Eventually. Let’s take this time. You should celebrate this win.”
Someone cleared their throat, and I turned to see Coach standing a little way behind us. “Are you going to introduce me to your fiancé?”
“Of course. Coach Martin, this is my fiancé, Vito Marchesi.”
Coach’s eyebrows rose. “Marchesi, huh?”
Vito grinned. “That’s right.”
He looked back at me. “You didn’t tell me that part.”
“I didn’t know I needed to.” His look told me he was well aware that I was lying.
“There’s not going to be any trouble,” Vito said. “My family’s business won’t interfere with Zeke’s career. Unless you have any trouble here, then you know who to come to.”
Coach narrowed his eyes. “That won’t be necessary.”
“Then don’t worry,” I said as Vito pulled me against him. “I’ve got this all under control.”
Coach huffed. “Don’t get cocky just because you got a hat trick tonight.”