Page 120 of If You Claim Me

Beautiful goal.

Connor

Thanks. How was your day?

My Darling Wife

It was fine. You going out to celebrate the win?

Connor

Heading up to Flip’s room for a bit. But I can stop in mine first if you want a call.

That’s what I should have done in the first place.

My Darling Wife

Don’t do that. Go hang out with the boys. We can talk tomorrow.

Something feels off, and I want to dig around in that message and read into it, but I’m afraid to.

Connor

Everything okay?

My Darling Wife

Just a busy day at work and I’m fading. I’m going to snuggle with your pillow. Have a good night.

Connor

’Night, darling.

The following afternoon, after we’ve landed in Boston and settled into our rooms, we hit the ice for practice, and I decide to pump my coach for information. Aside from Flip—which I still don’t love thinking about—Lexi is Mildred’s best friend. If there’s something going on, she might know about it before I do.

I’d like that to change. I’d like to be the person Mildred comes to first with every worry, secret, and piece of good news, but that will take time. And I’m not above digging to ease my own worries.

“Callie has a game tonight, right?” I ask conversationally as Coach Forrest-Hammer and I pass the puck back and forth.

Coach nods. “She does. I’m so grateful that Roman and Hollis can trade off during away games, especially with Fee in university this year. And Dred is a great backup when we need it,” she adds.

“Mildred loves going to her games,” I confirm. “We both do.”

“She does,” Coach Forrest-Hammer agrees. “But it’s a lot to ask, and her circumstances have changed significantly recently.”

“Have you talked to her today?” I ask.

“I talk to her every day.” She arches a brow. “Have you?”

“She’s my wife.” As if that’s an answer. I roll the puck down my stick and pass it to her. “She seem okay to you?”

Coach Forrest-Hammer shrugs. “A little distracted and tired.She mentioned having a bunch of proposals to work on. The wedding stuff has kept her busy, so it might just be catch-up.”

“Right. The last few weeks have been intense.” We’ve been sprinting since she agreed to marry me. Maybe I’m right and now that we’re back to real life, she has regrets—about marrying me, about letting me into her body, about sharing her secrets.

“You could send her something to let her know you’re thinking about her,” Coach suggests.

“That’s a good idea.” And one I should have thought of.