Page 21

We’ll both be here when you’re ready.

Adrian

“ W e look good together. Don’t we, Daddy?” I ask as I stare at the photo for a moment longer. I didn’t miss the tender look that crossed his face when I showed it to him. Nor did I miss the way he seems to melt every time I called him Daddy.

I’m about to get off his lap when he hugs me tighter. “Where do you think you’re going?”

I laugh. “I guess I’m staying put.” Even though I’m bulkier than Theo, I decide that if he doesn’t want me to leave, I’ll just take advantage of it and cuddle up against him. Why are things between us so easy?

After a few more minutes of laughing and awkward cuddling, I squirm in his lap. “Daddy, I have to get ready for practice.”

He checks the time on his phone. “Let me give you a tour of the house real quick. Then I can give you your surprise.”

“A surprise?” I ask, voice embarrassingly cheerful.

He chuckles. “Since you’re in a hurry, let me skip my bedroom. Wanna see the backyard, or will that cut into your time?”

“I want to see it. Let’s go there first.” I bounce on my toes. “It might seem ridiculous, but the backyard is my favorite part about living in a house. Mom, Felix, and I had so many memories in our backyard and in our pool.”

He slips into his sexy leather jacket and guides me outside.

I’m already wearing my thick V-neck sweater with the Ice Dragon colors on it, so I’m not cold when we step outside.

“I don’t have a pool, but I’ve always wanted one.”

“Honestly, I’m surprised you don’t have a bigger house, being an ex-NHL star and all.

” He mentioned losing a lot of money after his breakup and constant traveling, but that he had plenty of endorsements and paychecks to bounce back with.

Theo Walsh is still a wealthy man, even if he pretends not to be.

“Once I got my head out of my ass and began saving money, I decided to get a small place. I figured my boy and I could find our forever home together.” He gives me a meaningful look that causes my heart to flip and my toes to curl. I want to be that boy.

No, fuck that. I am that boy.

His boy.

I just have to prove to him that I will never hurt him the way Grant did.

Smirking, I let my bratty side come out. “Maybe we can find a place with a pool.”

A wide grin and a blush spread across his face. “Maybe we can.” Then, with a quick swat to my ass, he guides me back inside. “Come on, brat. I want to show you your surprise.”

Theo directs me to his guest bedroom. It’s cute, with a matching white dresser and nightstand.

Against the far wall is a large window with a lovely view of his backyard.

In the middle of the room is a queen-sized bed with a teal comforter.

But the thing that has me frozen in place is the adorable stuffie in the middle of the bed.

It’s a light blue dragon. But not just any dragon.

It’s a very expensive plushie of our Brynn U Ice Dragon mascot.

It’s a limited edition that was exclusively made for the children’s line, making the material extra soft and cuddly.

I always claim that I’m not a little since I don’t really regress to a certain age, but there’s something comforting about stuffies.

Even when Felix is in his little side, I always like playing with him and his stuffies.

I love to cuddle with them at night. And since moving into Delfy House, I’ve had to resort to hiding my need to sleep with a stuffed animal by cuddling with a pillow.

Some of the guys still make fun of the way I clutch my pillow, or ball up my comforter on away games, but only Felix and Theo know about the two stuffies I keep hidden under my blanket at Delfy House.

Picking up the cute dragon, I rearrange his wings and cuddle him to me. “How did you know?” I whisper.

He tilts his head. “What do you mean, sweet boy? Know what?”

“I’ve always wanted this specific dragon. I see them at the on-campus shops, and they’re selling out quickly. I actually thought I missed my chance.”

Theo shakes his head. “I didn’t know. I just saw the little guy and felt like I needed to give him to you. I figured you could bring him with you, or you could leave him here until you make up your mind on whether you want to move in.”

Images of the guys finding the little dragon in my room come to mind. I could imagine them tossing the stuffie around and roughhousing with him. Not in a mean-spirited way, yet Icy might still fall victim to their antics.

I must have said all of that out loud, because Theo pulls me to his side and wraps an arm around me. “Icy, huh? Is that his name, sweet boy?”

I nod, laying my cheek on his shoulder. “He looks like an Icy, doesn’t he?”

Theo chuckles. “I think he does. I can keep Icy here and protect him. And don’t worry, we’ll both be here when you’re ready.”

I feel those words settle deep in my chest as I translate their true meaning. What he’s really saying is he’ll protect my heart, and he’ll be here when I’m ready. And I believe him.