Page 12 of Your Love (Merrimack Mavericks Hockey #3)

Chapter 12

“Kiss Me”

Kerri - Age 18, 1988

A fter my conversation with Landry the other day, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. He not only listened to me but also managed to ease my anxieties about talking with the girls about my feelings. Sash had already left for school, but we had a long conversation over the phone. She probed me for every little detail about Beau, but I held back, fearing that she might fly to Texas and castrate an ex-football star.

In contrast, Ivy was quiet as I poured out my heart to her. She sat on her bed, her golden locks cascading over her face as she listened. Although she faced different challenges in her own life, she knew what it felt like to be isolated and scared more than anyone.

Ivy assured me that she would always be there for me, offering comfort through her soft words and warm embraces. When I moved here, I never could have imagined that I would meet such extraordinary people who would change my world.

Today, as I pack the last of my belongings for tomorrow’s move, a whirlwind of emotions swirls inside me. Part of me is eager to leave high school behind and chase my dream of becoming a large animal veterinarian. But at the same time, I can’t ignore the deep sadness that comes with leaving this town and, most importantly, leaving Landry behind. My heart aches in a way it never has before.

We’ve made a promise to remain friends, but I can’t help but wonder if we’ll be able to maintain our connection as we embark on different paths. I’ll only be back during holiday breaks and the summer, leaving plenty of time for things to change in our lives.

Trying not to dwell on these thoughts, I focus on the practical task of packing my belongings into the back of my brand-new car—a shiny Toyota Tercel. My parents and grandparents decided I’d had enough of the Greyhound bus life and bought it for me. It’s a great car, bright red and polished, and it’s easier to drive than the old pickup truck. Even though it’s also a manual transmission, the clutch doesn’t stick, and parking is much easier.

I stop packing as the rumbling sound of a truck approaching catches my attention. I step out onto the front porch with a smile on face when I confirm it’s Landry, and excitement washes over me. When he hops out of the truck, every detail about him is etched in my mind—from the way his jeans fit perfectly around his strong thighs to the crisp white tee hugging his muscular chest and even the black Mavericks baseball cap that sits backward atop his head, taming his unruly brown curls. And when he affectionately calls me “Wildflower,” my heart flutters like nothing else.

My best friend is everything.

A small, reassuring smile tugs at his lips as he looks at me. This isn’t easy for him either, but he’s staying positive and strong for my sake. It’s just the kind of person he is.

“Howdy!” I greet him with a warm smile, causing his dimple to pop into view.

“What can I do to help?” he asks.

I shake my head, my gaze returning to the stuffed car before us. “Nothing. It’s almost finished.”

“Excellent. Let’s go treat ourselves to some ice cream,” he suggests cheerfully. “We’ll be back in time for dinner with your grandparents in a couple of hours.”

“Ice cream, you say? That sounds great.”

As soon as we step through the doors of The Scoop Shop, the sweet and creamy aroma of ice cream hits me. The shop is bustling with customers, but luckily, there’s a small opening at a table for two. I scan the menu, taking in the variety of flavors and toppings before settling on a hot fudge sundae. Landry opts for a classic banana split.

We take our first bites, savoring the rich and indulgent flavors. “This is amazing,” Landry exclaims, his spoon clinking against the glass dish. “But I should probably cut back if I want to keep up with the Mavericks.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You’ve been hitting the gym pretty hard.”

“Yeah, I’ve been going regularly and adding in some runs. Taz swears by it for clearing his mind, so, I’ve been doing it for that reason, too.”

Landry has never mentioned running before. My curiosity tugs at me, and I ask, “Since when do you run?”

Landry’s lips press together in a thin line, his expression guarded, and he doesn’t answer.

“Since when?” I repeat.

He hesitates, then confesses, “Since you told me about what happened.”

My heart twists with guilt, knowing that my pain has caused this.

“Normally, I can drive around to clear my head,” he continues, “but that wasn’t helping. So, I started running, and I’ve gone every day since.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, my voice heavy with regret for being the reason he’s been struggling.

“Don’t be,” he reassures me with a small smile. “It’s good for me.” But then his tone shifts, becoming more serious. “Kerri, if that guy ever comes here, I will kill him. You know that, right?”

“He won’t show up here. He doesn’t know where I am. And even if he did, he’s a coward. He can’t control me anymore, so I’m not worth his time.”

Suddenly our ice cream isn’t as appetizing. “Are you ready to go?” he asks.

I nod and follow him out to the truck.

We have some of our most important conversations while driving down the long, dark dirt road to my grandparent’s farm. So, after ice cream, it seems like the right time to talk to Landry about something that’s been on my mind.

I turn to study him. His large hand is wrapped around the steering wheel, and his jaw is set in determination as he focuses on the path ahead.

“What?” he asks, his eyes still fixed on the road.

“You and your damn peripheral vision,” I tease.

He shrugs nonchalantly. “It’s a goalie thing.” With a smooth motion, he shifts the truck into park, and I turn my body towards him, tucking my legs under me.

“I want to try something,” I say softly, meeting his intense gaze with determination in my own.

His eyebrows quirk up in curiosity, a small smile playing on his lips as he leans in closer. “What kind of something?”

My heart beats against my chest as I gather all the courage I have left in me and finally speak my request. The words come out in a rush, barely audible but enough to convey my desire. “No questions, just trust me.”

I can see the surprise flash in his eyes, quickly replaced by intrigue and something else that I can’t quite read. “Absolutely,” he responds without hesitation, his voice low and smooth like melted chocolate.

Taking a deep breath, my pulse races in my ears as I prepare for what is about to happen. My palms are slick with nerves and anticipation. “Will you kiss me?”

For a moment, his expression betrays shock before softening into something entirely different. He doesn’t need to ask any questions. His gaze says it all as it drops to my lips before he moves towards me with purpose and intensity.

His warm hand glides over my cheek like a gentle caress, tilting my head towards his. All rational thoughts vanish as his lips meet mine in a soft yet urgent kiss. It’s like being struck by lightning and engulfed in flames at the same time, a feeling so intense that I can’t help but surrender to it.

The pressure of his kiss is light at first, a warm and tantalizing pleasure that tests and teases me. His lips dance against mine, leaving a trail of tingling sensations in their wake. My heart races as he parts his lips, and his tongue gently licks my lower lip, silently asking for entrance. Without hesitation, I grant it, and our tongues tangle together in a fiery embrace.

Every touch of his tongue sets my skin ablaze with desire. With one hand on the small of my back, he pulls me closer, his other hand tangling in my hair. The tension in his grip speaks volumes about the desire burning between us.

A soft moan escapes my throat as I press myself closer to him, needing to feel every inch of his body against mine. My hands slide up the front of his shirt, fingers splaying across the firm planes of his chest. The fabric clings to my palms, serving as a reminder that this is real and not just an intoxicating dream.

Landry’s body is solid and warm against mine; the electric connection between us impossible to deny as our bodies mold together in perfect rhythm.

I brush my fingertips over the rough stubble on his jaw, relishing in the sensation that sends electric shocks through my entire body. Beads of sweat begin to form on my temples as his strong hands grip my hips with a firmness that both excites and soothes me.

Every touch and caress feels divinely wicked, and we both struggle to contain our overwhelming desire. My fingers trail down his back, tracing the defined muscles that ripple beneath my touch while his hands roam freely down my sides.

The scent of his cologne fills my senses, mixing with the salty tang of sweat and adding a mind-blowing layer to this already dizzying moment. We are teetering on the edge of complete abandon, close to losing all control.

But just as I think I can’t hold back any longer, Landry pulls back, and he rests his forehead against mine. The rush of adrenaline still courses through my veins, making my chest rise and fall rapidly. My lips tingle from the intensity of our kiss as we both take a moment to catch our breath.

I’m overwhelmed by a flood of thoughts and emotions. This is everything I’ve ever wanted, everything that was taken from me. But now it’s here, in front of me, and I’m torn between wanting to stay in this perfect moment forever and facing the unknown future that awaits us.

As Landry slowly releases me, our eyes lock, and I hold my breath, bracing myself for his response. My heart pounds in my chest, unsure of how he’ll react to my request. But as I study the soft curve of his lips, a sense of relief washes over me.

“I have a question for you now,” he says, his voice gentle yet filled with anticipation.

I nod, unable to speak as emotions swirl inside me.

“Will you give us a real chance when you’re ready?” he asks, his tone tender and full of hope. Despite my efforts to hold back tears, they threaten to spill from my eyes.

“I want that more than anything,” I manage to whisper. “But starting something now might not be the wisest choice.”

He reaches out and brushes away a stray tear from my cheek. “I can wait for you,” he says with unwavering determination. “You know where to find me when you’re ready.”

“I don’t want to hold you back,” I confess, my voice trembling with fear. “I can’t make any promises about our future.”

Landry takes my hand in his large, calloused one and places it against his chest, where I can feel the steady beat of his heart. “All I know is that being with you feels right,” he says earnestly. “I am willing to wait as long as it takes for us to figure things out.”

My heart aches as I look at this man who has become my everything. “But what if it doesn’t work out?” I whisper, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

He pulls me into a tight embrace, wrapping his strong arms around me. “Then we’ll figure it out together,” he says confidently, kissing the top of my head. “We don’t need to make any grand declarations or commitments right now.”

“We don’t?” I ask, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I relax in his embrace.

“No. You’re leaving for school, and I’m here. Let’s just take things one step at a time.”

“So, we’re still friends?”

A small smile appears on his lips as he replies, “Of course. I will always be your friend.”

Feeling relieved, I reach out to him. “Pinky Promise?”

Landry doesn’t hesitate as he wraps his finger around mine. “Pinky promise,” he says, and our bond is sealed at that moment.