Page 29 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie (Second Chance Hockey Players #2)

My heart skips. You . But instead, I say, “It’s a secret.”

He huffs a quiet laugh. “That so?”

I nod. “What about you?”

“Also, a secret.”

I roll my eyes.

He chuckles, then leans back against the swing. “I can say what I’m thankful for, though.”

I glance at him. “Oh?”

“I’m thankful for how this year went. For my family. For yours. For Keith, even if I’ll never tell him that to his face.”

I snort.

Blake grins. “And most of all,” he continues, turning to face me, “I’m thankful for you, Whitney.”

Something tightens in my chest. “Me?”

He nods. “For always being there. For being a light, even when you don’t realize it.” He lets out a small, almost self-conscious laugh. “Just…, for being you.”

I can’t move. Can’t breathe . I just stare at him, wide-eyed, my heart beat a chaotic mess.

He checks his watch, then stands, holding out a hand. “Thirty seconds left.”

I let him pull me up. He leans in slightly; his eyes locked on mine. “You ready to go into the New Year with me, shortcake?”

I nod, my voice lost somewhere between my heart and throat.

“Count with me,” he whispers, straightening.

We look up at the sky.

“10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…”

Fireworks explode, the sky bursting into color.

“Happy New Year.” His arms tug me forward, and before I can react, his lips press against mine.

Brain freeze.

Blake is kissing me.

Blake. Is. Kissing. Me.

His lips are warm despite the cold, firm yet soft, and my entire body goes still, unable to process what’s happening. My mind barely catches up before he pulls back, still close enough that I can feel his breath.

“Breathe, Whit,” he murmurs, amusement in his voice.

I inhale sharply, staring at him. “Happy New Year, Blake…, but what - how - why - what was that?”

He smirks. “That was me kissing you. You know, first kiss of the year.”

“I know that, but why?”

His expression turns serious. “Because I’ve wanted to for a long time.” His voice lowers. “Been holding back for a while.”

My heart stutters. “Holding back?”

His hand brushes my cheek briefly before dropping.

“I’ve had feelings for you, Whit. Since before I should have.

” His voice is quiet, almost like a confession to himself.

“I tried to ignore it. Told myself it was just a protective instinct, or that I was imagining things. I couldn’t act on it partly because you’re Keith’s little sister and you are off limits.

On the other hand, it’s because…, anyway… ”

He exhales, rubbing the back of his neck.

“But then you’d smile at me like that - like you did that night at the lake last summer, when you dared me to jump in after you - and I’d feel like the biggest idiot for pretending.

” He lets out a soft chuckle, shaking his head.

“I’ve been holding back for so long, I don’t even know when it started. All I know is that I can’t anymore.”

My heart pounds.

“So, help me God shortcake, I want you… I want to be with you and experience all the joys and smiles you have to give, selfishly, for me alone.”

The world tilts.

He keeps going and going, but I am not listening anymore. I turned deaf after the ‘I want you’ part. He keeps talking, but I don’t let him finish.

I grab his collar, pull him in, and kiss him.

He makes a surprised sound before chuckling against my lips, then deepens the kiss, his hands gripping my waist, pulling me closer.

When we finally break apart, our breaths are ragged. He leans his forehead against mine, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“As much as I’d love to keep going, we need to head inside before the search party comes out and sees an atrocity.”

I giggle. “Atrocity?”

He smirks. “Wrong word?”

“Absolutely.”

He chuckles, pecks my lips one last time, and winks. “We’ll talk later.” Then he walks inside, leaving me staring after him, my hands trembling with excitement.

I press my fingers against my lips, my heart still racing.

Blake kissed me.

Blake wants me.

Blake has feelings for me.

The thought sends a thrill down my spine, but more than that—

This changes everything.

A squeal bubbles up in my throat, and I clap a hand over my mouth before bursting into another fit of giggles.

Best. New Year. Ever.

With one last giddy squeal, I sprint inside, ready to join the celebration.

*** (Me – 20; Blake – 23) ***

It’s been two years.

Two years of stolen moments, hidden smiles, and whispered “I love you” behind closed doors.

Two years of being Blake’s secret girlfriend.

Two years of hiding what we are from his best friend - my brother, and everyone.

It’s been amazing - more than amazing. Being with him is like breathing, effortless and necessary. He makes me laugh, holds me when I’m sad, and knows exactly how to get under my skin in the most frustratingly perfect way.

He’s my person.

It just sucks that we can’t go out in public like other couples. No casual handholding, no random forehead kisses in the middle of the street during the day (we are careful night lovers), no going on dates, and the likes.

But still, he’s the best secret boyfriend ever.

Right now, I’m perched on his kitchen counter, swinging my legs as he stands at the stove, stirring something that smells amazing.

“So,” I say, “how do we tell Keith? And well, everyone else?”

He snorts. “Easy. Hi everyone, here’s my girlfriend, Whitney. For Keith, hey bro, I’m dating your sister . Then I close my eyes and wait for the punch because it’ll come.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “That’s your plan?”

“Pretty solid, don’t you think?” He smirks, tossing me a wink over his shoulder.

“Oh, absolutely. A true work of genius.”

“I know, right? It always happens in movies.”

I snort. “Should I get you a helmet?”

He smirks, setting the spoon down before walking over and placing his hands on either side of me. “You think he’ll hit me that hard?”

“He might kill you because you broke the ‘bro code’.”

Blake hums like he’s considering it. “Yeah. But at least I’ll die happy.”

I roll my eyes, pushing lightly at his chest. “You’re ridiculous. When do we tell him and them?”

He chuckles, stepping back to grab a plate. “We tell everyone next week when Keith gets back.”

Keith has been away for six months at a professional course and he’ll be back next week.

“Where, though?”

“His welcome back party I guess. I know it’s selfish to do that then, but then…, it’s the perfect - public place, plenty of witnesses. Less chance of immediate murder. From the guys in your family, although I think your dad is gonna be cool with it, but still, and then…, especially from Keith.”

I purse my lips. “I don’t know…, Keith’s unpredictable. He could wait until later to kill you.”

“Then I’ll just have to make sure you never leave my side,” he says, moving closer again, wrapping his arms around my waist.

I grin. “So now I’m your human shield?”

“My hot human shield,” he corrects, kissing my temple.

I swat at him. “You’re impossible.”

He grins and leans in, murmuring, “Admit it, -you love it, shortcake.”

I roll my eyes but don’t deny it. "Seriously though, after all these years, can you please stop calling me Shortcake? Can’t you think of something else?"

Blake grins, stepping even closer. "Nope. It suits you. Short. Sweet. Absolutely irresistible"

"Blake, that was sooo cheesy and corny at the same time."

“I know, that left a bittersweet taste in my mouth after it came out,” he chuckles.

“Hate you.”

“Love you too, shortcake.”

I purse my lips. “Keith’s going to lose his mind. In fact, everyone is gonna lose their minds.”

“He’ll, they’ll get over it. Because at the end of the day, they just want you to be happy. And I make you happy, right?”

“I hope so, and ew, don’t fish for compliments.” I wrap my arms around his neck.

“Not fishing,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. “Just stating facts.”

Pressing his lips to mine, I melt instantly, my arms looping around his neck. His hands tighten on my waist, pulling me flush against him, kissing me slowly and unhurried. I sigh into the kiss, wrapping my arms around his shoulders, and pulling him closer.

Blake pulls back just slightly, pressing his forehead against mine. “We’ll figure it out,” he murmurs.

I nod, still breathless. “Yeah. We will.”

*** (Announcement day) ***

The party is in full swing - laughter, music, and chatter filling the space. Keith is all smiles, soaking up the attention. That boy low-key loves being the center of it all. He’s been shaking hands, clapping people on the back, and grinning like he just won the lottery.

Blake is around somewhere. I haven’t seen him much tonight, but something’s been off with him all week.

He’s been distracted, unsettled. At first, I chalked it up to nerves - after all, we’re finally telling everyone about us, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious too.

But now, I don’t know…, a woman’s instinct?

A tightness coils in my chest.

I push off the wall and slip outside. The night air is cooler than inside, crisp against my skin. I take a breath, steadying myself—until voices cut through the quiet.

Arguing.

Blake’s voice. And a woman’s.

I move closer, my pulse hammering.

Then I see her.

Olivia?

What is she doing here?

She’s standing too close to him, her expression sharp, her body language tense. I watch as she reaches out, her fingers hovering inches from his arm.

My heart slams against my ribs. Oh, hell no, you don’t touch my man.

I clear my throat.

Blake looks startled. Guilty.

Olivia glares at me. Like I’m the intruder here.

"Sorry to interrupt," I say, keeping my voice even, "but we’re needed inside."

A flicker of something unreadable passes over Blake’s face. Olivia, however, doesn’t move right away. Instead, she shifts her gaze back to him, her lips curling slightly.

"You know what to do," she murmurs before walking past me, her perfume lingering in the air like a bad memory.

I stare after her, my chest tightening.

What did she say?

Why is she even here?

I turn to Blake. "What was that about?"