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Not even a heartbeat goes by before he responds.

GoalieGod: Absolutely.

I make the decision then to head back to Wittmore sooner than later. I know he has a game tomorrow night. What I have to say can’t wait.

After the stressof telling my parents I was leaving early and then navigating the crowded airports at the holiday, I arrive at the Teal House, worn out and exhausted. It was a long day, after an even longer Thanksgiving, but I’m ecstatic to be back at our tiny, cozy house hundreds of miles away from Florida.

Shotgun and the Teal house are quiet. When I get inside, I see Twyler’s open suitcase on the bed. She’s on the road with the basketball team and won’t be back until tomorrow afternoon. The men’s hockey team just finished playing Amsterdam U over at the arena. I checked the score in the Uber, and we were up by two.

I dump my bag in my room and head to the kitchen, filling up a pot with water and turning on the stove to make some ramen. I’m not upset everyone is busy. I think I need a minute to get myself together, especially with Twyler. She has a way of seeing right through me, and right now I feel fucking transparent.

When I told my parents I’d changed my flight they hadn’t been happy. I told them I had a project due–which isn’t completely false. Eric and I need to get our presentation finalized. Mom’s spidey-senses could tell something was wrong, but Jason must have smoothed it over. I owe him one. Him and Kendall, both.

I drop the brick of noodles into the pot and add in the packet of spices. Once it’s cooked, I fill my bowl and head back to myroom. I’ve just set the bowl on the bedside table when I hear a tap at the window.

Axel.

Just seeing him creates a reaction in my body. I rush over and unlock the window.

“Hi.” His eyes sweep over me.

“How did you know I was home early?”

“Reese may have mentioned you were getting back while Twyler is gone.”

I frown. “If you know she’s gone then why are you coming to the window?”

He shrugs and gives me a lopsided grin. “This just kind of seems like our thing, but if you want me to go around–or leave–I will.”

“No,” I say, stepping back to give him room. “Stay.”

He steps through the window and shuts it behind him. Standing in the middle of the room, I take him in. He’s dressed in his post game suit, which means he didn’t even stop off at the Manor to change. The tie is already loosened, and he looks sexy as hell–smells it too–all clean and soapy after his shower. His damp, blond hair a shade darker than usual.

“I need to–”

“I’m sorry,” he says, cutting me off. “That shit I said last time? That was me just dumping my baggage on you and it wasn’t fair.”

“It’s okay, I know a lot about baggage.”

He shifts and I realize he’s nervous. I get it, I’m nervous too.

“I was way out of bounds. You’d just done something amazing for me–so sweet and kind–and instead of thanking you like I wanted to I got stupid paranoid and shit all over it like an absolute dumbass. I won’t even bother with excuses, because there are none.” He swallows. “I just hope you can forgive me.”

“I forgive you,” I say, with zero hesitation. “I shouldn’t have accused you of using me. We made an agreement and you were just doing what I asked.”

“So are we good?” His eyebrow arches. “You’re important to me, Nadia, and I’m not willing to leave until we get this straight, not until you’re willing to talk about where this can go.”

“We’re good,” I tell him, my pulse beating stronger, “and I want that too, but…”

“But what?”

“Something happened on Thanksgiving. Something I want to share with you and may change the way you think about me.” I know I’ve changed in the last twenty-four hours. Knowing I need to get comfortable for this, I climb onto the bed and I pat the spot next to me. He may need to get comfortable too. “If you have the time to listen.”

“I’ve got all the time you need, darlin’.”

He kicks off his shoes and takes off his coat. My ramen sits uneaten on the bedside table–my appetite lost in a jumble of nerves.

“What’s this about?” he asks, taking my hand. I trace the ‘Y’ on his knuckle.