Page 31 of Fear of Love (Falling #3)

LYDIA

“ J esus.” I flinched as one of our players slammed into the plexiglass in front of us. I had no idea how they could take a hit like that and just skate off like nothing happened.

“Come on, guys. Get the damn puck,” I heard Josie yell a few seats down from me, her voice hoarse from screaming the whole game. On my other side were Mila and Evelyn, the two of them chatting and watching the game.

“God, they’re playing rough.” Tasha beside me winced.

We sat in the stands as the guys played their final game before the playoffs.

The Knights were already guaranteed a spot, but of course, they wanted to be number one in their division.

They were ahead by one goal as the clock ticked down.

They needed to hold the other team off for another three minutes.

“Haven’t seen Trevor in the box this much before.” Tasha and I glanced over at the penalty area where Trevor was sitting for the third time this game. Even Bryton was in it tonight, which didn’t happen all that often.

“It’s like he’s in time-out.” Mateo poked his head between us. He and Landon were seated behind us since there wasn’t room for all of us on the same row. “Like a little kid being punished,” he joked.

“A little kid that could kick your ass,” Tasha replied back.

Mateo snorted. “He wishes.”

“Dare you to say that to his face later,” Landon said from directly behind me. I’d been trying to focus on the game, but it was next to impossible when I was hyperaware of every movement he made. His knees brushed against my upper shoulders, thanks to his long ass legs and the short seats.

I felt the brush of fingertips along my neck, making me shiver. Over the course of the game, Landon would reach out and touch me every so often. Just enough to make me tremble and want more. He was a fucking tease.

“I will. Not like he can catch me, anyway.” Beside me, Tasha snorted.

“Yeah, I’m not saving your ass when you do.” Landon said. I didn’t have to look at him to know he was shaking his head at his younger brother.

I looked over my shoulder at Mateo. “You do know he has more muscle mass than you, right?”

“Babe, have you seen me?” Mateo lifted his arm and flexed. Even under his thick jersey that had his brother’s number on it, I could see the muscle of his bicep. I swore every time I saw him, he got more muscular.

“Sorry, hun, but all I see is a stick arm.” I sent him a sad look.

He fake gasped like he was hurt. “L, that was cruel.”

“The truth hurts sometimes.” I reached back and patted his knee.

“Landon, she’s being mean to me,” Mateo whined like a little kid.

“Maybe you deserve it,” came Landon’s response.

“You’re my big brother. You’re supposed to defend me and my honor.” I snorted at the word honor.

“Yeah, not gonna happen.”

We both knew that was a lie. Landon would go to the ends of the earth to defend and protect his brothers. Case in point to what I learned a few days ago when he told me about their father reaching out to him. Landon gave up so much to be there for his family.

I understood why he hadn’t told his mom or Wyatt about it. What good would it do? But the look on Landon’s face when he told me was like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. All I could do was hug him and hope that telling me helped ease some of the weight.

A week later, a small part of me thought Landon looked a little less tense, but I was probably just kidding myself.

The crowd around us got louder, so I shook myself out of my thoughts and tuned back into the game. Wyatt was back on the ice with only one minute left.

Being in the arena surrounded by fans was incredible during a regular game, but this last game before playoffs was…

electrifying. The excitement was palpable to the point that I could almost feel it buzz through my fingertips.

I didn’t go to the Cup Championship game last year, so if this was how it felt now, I couldn’t imagine it then.

My eyes found Bryton as he barreled down the ice, expertly moving the puck between and around players. On my left, Mila cheered her boyfriend on. She was practically out of her seat as she screamed.

Bryton suddenly came to a stop, twisting his body to hit the puck around the opposing player to Trevor as ice shavings surrounded his skates.

Trevor, who wasted no time, skated hard down the ice toward the goalie.

God, he looked like a beast on the ice. He towered over everyone and looked ten times more intimidating with all the extra padding.

Tasha’s hand clamped around my arm, fingernails digging in as she watched her boyfriend. I didn’t think she was breathing as she kept a death drip on my arm.

I watched with rapt attention as Trevor weaved around players, shoulder checking them as he went. The hits he received didn’t slow him down. The buzzer was seconds away from going off as Trevor looked for a way to score.

The other team had at least three players on him, trying their hardest to get the puck back. The tension around us grew as Trevor wrestled with another player, hockey sticks hitting one another.

I sucked in a breath as he managed to get free, arm notched back before he snapped the puck forward.

The puck soared across the ice in slow motion, directly to Wyatt.

Wyatt’s hockey stick was already in motion as he hit it, sending it right into the top of the net, the goalie unable to lunge to the side in time.

The arena was so quiet you could almost hear a pin drop as everyone watched. It was almost like being in a tunnel as the cheering around me grew until it pierced my ears.

Tasha all but yanked me out of my seat as she shot up, her hand still holding onto my arm.

She released me and turned to Josie, the two mirroring squeals.

As Josie and Tasha hugged, an arm wrapped around my shoulder and over the front of my chest. I instantly knew who it was as Landon’s beard tickled the skin of my neck.

I felt his lips against my neck for only a second before he pulled away. It was so fast, but it was enough to make my skin tingle and my cheeks turn pink.

The smile that graced my face had nothing to do with the Knights winning.

As the elevator slowly made its way to the top floor, I fiddled with my dress.

The team planned a dinner at one of the high-rise hotels in Toronto to celebrate making it to the playoffs.

It was only for friends, family, and management, so it was pretty exclusive.

I was a little surprised I made the cut for an invite.

When the elevator door opened, I took a deep breath.

I made my way down the hallway, following the sound of voices.

My heels clicked on the floor as I came to a spacious conference room that had been transformed into an elegant dinner party, complete with string lights and softly playing music. I scanned the room for familiar faces.

“Lydia!” At the sound of my name, I turned just in time to see Josie heading my way. “You look stunning.” She pulled me into a tight hug.

“You do, too.” I pulled back to take in her outfit. The black dress was simple with a high neckline that wrapped around her neck before it fell to the floor in wisps of fabric.

“It’s like we matched on purpose.” She smiled.

I ran a hand down my own black dress. I bought it on a whim a few weeks ago and thought tonight would be the perfect time to wear it.

The silk fabric clung to my skin in a way that was sexy but also respectable for a party such as this one.

It had a good size slit over the right leg that showed skin as I walked.

“Thanks.” I looked around the room. “Where’s your fiancé?”

“Talking to Coach.” She waved her hand behind her. “Drink?”

“Yes, please.” Looping her arm with mine, the two of us headed for the bar off to the side of the room. As we walked, a few players stopped us to say hello.

“Bet today’s been a whirlwind,” I said, leaning against the bar counter, eyes scanning the crowd.

“Seriously. We finalized all the stuff for the wedding this morning, and then the game, and now this party.”

“You really need this drink then.” I slid a glass of wine in her direction. Grabbing my own, I shot the bartender a grateful smile. “Does that mean everything is all set for the wedding?”

“Yep.” Josie beamed. “All that’s left is making sure the guys don’t forget their tuxes and picking up my dress.”

“Don’t you worry. Tasha will be on their asses.”

“She’s already threatened them, so if they so much as step a toe out of line.” She snorted.

“Sounds like Tasha.” I smiled against my glass. “Are you guys going to release pictures to the press afterward?” Wyatt being who he was made their wedding the talk of the town. When the two got engaged and released their engagement photos, everyone went crazy.

The pictures ended up on almost every magazine and news outlet in Toronto.

Social media went wild with the news that Wyatt Boone, a star hockey player, was engaged.

Every other day, I swore Josie and Wyatt—and their wedding—were trending.

Thankfully, no one in the press knew the actual date of the wedding.

Somehow, the two managed to keep it under wraps.

“Yeah, we’ll release some of our pictures a few days after.” Josie turned to look at me. “The offer to write about our wedding still stands. You can be the only magazine with an exclusive look.”

This wasn’t the first time Josie told me this. When she and Wyatt realized they’d have to share pictures of their wedding to people, Josie came to me and asked if I’d do it. I was touched that she wanted me to, but it didn’t feel right making a profit on my best friend’s big day.

“Jo—”

She pouted. “I know you said it doesn’t feel right but you know me. You know Wyatt. You’d make sure everything was done right.”