by Grey, S. R.
She gets even more excited at my hesitation. “Oh, wow, it must be someone good. Is it anyone I know?”
“Sort of,” I hedge.
“Okay.” She crosses her arms and starts tapping her foot impatiently. “Is it someone Jaxon knows?”
I look away and murmur sheepishly, “Uh, yes.”
“Oh…my…God!” Cara grabs my arm and makes me look at her. “You are fucking one of the Wolves’ players, aren’t you? Holy shit, Noelle!”
“Er, uh,” I blabber.
Cara squeals. “Holy hell, you are. Which one is it? I have to know.”
I glance around, suddenly paranoid. “Shh, keep your voice down.”
Luckily, the few people nearby aren’t paying any attention to us.
Phew!
In a hushed voice, I say, “It’s Blake.”
“Wait, what?” Cara’s brows shoot up. “Blake Cavaletti? Do you mean the new guy who was traded from the Rangers?”
“That would be the one.”
“Hmm, interesting…” She nods approvingly. “Very nice, Noelle. He is super hot.”
Since Cara wants to know how it all started, I fill her in.
“And here we are,” I say once I wrap up.
“Yes, here you are—keeping it all a secret. Does that make any freaking sense? You should be shouting this from the rooftops.”
“Funny, I thought the same thing just recently.” I blow out a breath. “But I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“It’s because of Noel. You know how he feels about me dating hockey players, particularly his damn teammates.”
She sighs. “You do have a point. Noel is like that, so he probably won’t be too happy. But still, I think you’re making it worse by keeping it a secret. What’s the point now anyway? It sounds like you and Blake are getting serious.”
I run my fingers through my hair. “I know. I know. And you’re right, we are getting serious. It’s just…” I put my hands over my face. “I want to tell Noel, Cara. I really do. But Blake wants to wait a little longer. He originally said only till the season starts, but I have a feeling he’ll want to get in a few more games before we say anything.”
When I look up, she’s making a face.
“What?” I ask. “Tell me your thoughts.”
“I’m just wondering why exactly Blake wants to keep waiting.”
I release a breath. “I guess mainly because he’s afraid if Noel gets mad about us, it could mess with the team’s good mojo.”
I nod down to the ice, where the second period is just beginning.
“I mean, it is a fair point. You see how well they’re playing together. There really is something special going on out there on the ice.”
As if to underscore what I just said, Brent Oliver scores a beautiful goal.
Cara sighs. “I hate to say it, but I kind of see Blake’s side of things. Still, it’s like a no-win situation no matter which way you go. You know this is either going to blow up with the Wolves…or blow up with you and Blake.”
“Gee, thanks,” I sarcastically retort. “Those are two great options. Not!”
I Love This Woman
This is such a stellar first game of the season. What a way to start things off. Everyone is in perfect sync, and the vibe has never been better.
First, I rack up an assist, along with Noel, on a Jaxon Holland goal during the first period.
And then Brent Oliver scores mere minutes into the second.
We are on fire!
I love that Noelle is up in the seats watching us. We are putting on a fabulous show for her and her friend, Cara.
And for the entire arena that’s full of fans.
At one point during the game, I have the chance I’ve been hoping for since the day I was traded—Coach mixes things up and I find myself on the first line with Brent Oliver and Benny Perry.
Hell, yes!
Skating up the ice, I give Benny a nod. He gets a step out in front of me, and I pass him the puck.
Our play outwits the Kings’ defense, and though Benny is being pursued and pressured, he nets a beautiful goal.
Score!
The arena is rocking once more.
Me, I’m just excited to rack up another assist for my new team.
The rest of the game is just as good, and we end up winning.
Everyone is happy in the locker room, especially Coach Townsend. He’s so pleased, in fact, that he gives us the next morning off.
“No practice till the day after,” he announces to a barrage of cheers.
The guys start making plans to go out clubbing, grab dinner, or get drinks.
That all sounds okay, but there’s really only one person I want to spend my free time with—Noelle.
Smiling, I send her a quick text before I hit the showers.
She messages me back immediately, letting me know she just dropped Cara off in the players’ parking lot so that she could meet up with Jaxon.
That means I’m totally free, Noelle writes.
I text back, Awesome. Do you want to meet at my house?
Noelle: Yes. I’ll head that way now.
Me: Okay, I still have to shower, so you may get there before me. If so, there’s a key under the big cactus in the pot out front. You can use that to let yourself in.
I pause for a sec and then add, Actually, just keep that key. I’ve been meaning to give it to you anyway.
She sends back three kissy-face emojis.
Shit, I love this woman.
Wait, what was that?
You said you love her, you damn fool.
Yes, I sure did.
Is it true?
Do I love Noelle?
You know what?
That’s an easy one.
I totally do.
The only thing better than telling someone you love them is showing them that you do.
That’s why I race from the arena to my house, making it home in record time.
Good thing I drove the Lamborghini today.
When I step inside, I head straight to the living room, where I find Noelle curled up on the sofa, watching TV.
She looks cute as hell in her Wolves jersey and tight jeans as she watches highlights of the game.
Though it was definitely a great one and I’d like to see the replays at some point, my heart and body want only one thing in this moment, and that’s to love up on Noelle.
When I sit down next to her, I pull her into my arms, where I shower her with soft kisses.
“Wow,” she says, giggling and pretending to try to squirm away. “Someone sure is happy they won tonight.”
“Mmmm…” I nuzzle her neck. “The victory was nice, yes, but that’s not what I’m so amped about.”
“No?” She sucks in a quick breath as I trail my hand up under her jersey and cup her warm, soft breast. “So what is it that has you so happy?”
Leaning her back on the sofa and positioning my body above hers, I reply, “You. You make me happy, Noelle.”
“Yeah?” She raises a brow, peering up at me with her gorgeous blues. “And why do you think that is?”
I blow out a breath.
Here we go…
“I think you know,” I whisper.
“So tell me,” she says.
“Let me start by saying it’s something I fully realized tonight.”
“Okay…”
We hold each other’s gazes, both of us knowing this is important.
“It’s simple, really,” I go on. “I’ve actually felt this way for a while now. I just ignored it, thinking it was too fast.”
“Blake,” Noelle murmurs.
She has to know where this is going.
Shit, I hope she feels the same way.
I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly, and then I lay it on the line, my heart, my soul.
“I love you, babe,” I say. “I just fucking do.”
It’s out there now.
There’s no going back.
I wouldn’t have it any other way, though.
I don’t pass up on chances, remember?
But thankfully, it’s all good.
Noelle’s eyes fill with tears as she pulls me down to her, our lips meeting.
In between kisses and laughter, she says the words I long to hear from her: “I love you too, Blake.”
A New Addition
I don’t know why, but even after our declarations of love, Blake and I continue to hold off on telling Noel about us.
Though Blake hasn’t yet asked me to continue to wait, I think he wants me to. It’s more than that, though. I can’t put it all on him. I’m just as culpable. I think it’s easier to just not rock the boat. And I fear it’s become a habit to just not do anything.
It’s simply easier this way.
Not to mention, we’re all awfully damn busy. I haven’t even talked to Noel all that much lately. We haven’t had a chance. He’s preoccupied with Maisie and hockey, and my life is filled with school and Blake.
Still, he does need to know.
Yeah, we’ll get to it, I tell myself. Just not quite yet.
My graduate classes pick up in intensity, and Blake has a string of games on the road.
Maybe once he’s back in town, we’ll come clean to Noel.
I don’t know, maybe.
For now, I’m just busy staying focused on doing everything I can to keep myself preoccupied while Blake’s away.
School mostly takes care of that, but I also come up with a brilliant idea that I can’t stop thinking about.
There’s something I’d like to get for Blake. Something that is sure to be a complete surprise to him. I think he’ll love it, though. I know I already do.
Still, I decide to run it by Cara. She’s good at assessing things objectively. If my idea’s a go with her, it’ll definitely be on.
Since Blake and I decided I should stay at his house while he’s away—there’s just so much more room—I ask Cara to come over one evening.
“Wow,” she breathes out when she steps inside for the first time. “I didn’t realize Cavaletti had such a nice house.”
“It is pretty sweet,” I agree, nodding and glancing around with her. “Do you want to see the rest?”
“Sure,” she replies. “I’d like that.”
I give her a grand tour, which takes a lot more time than it did to show Blake my place, then we return to the entry hall.
“Well, that’s it,” I say.
“Hmm, very nice,” she murmurs.
I can tell her mind’s already somewhere else.
Sure enough, Cara crosses her arms over her thin frame and narrows her eyes at me.
“What?” I ask.
“Enough stalling, Noelle. I can’t wait a minute longer. What is this big idea of yours that you’re plotting for Blake? That’s the reason I’m here, right?”
“No, not just that.” I shake my head. “And no way am I telling you already what my brilliant plan is. We should have wine first and build up to it.”
Really, this is just an excuse to have a drink with my bestie.
Good thing she’s into it.
“Hell, yeah!” she exclaims. “That works for me.”
While Cara heads to the living room, I go to the kitchen to grab a bottled of chilled Chablis—yes, I can finally drink it again without gagging—from the refrigerator.
After opening the wine with a corkscrew, and grabbing two glasses, I return to the living room. I pour us each a small amount of Chablis, and then join Cara on the sofa.
She takes a small sip, and then says, “So how are things going with you and Blake?”
“Great,” I reply. “I spend a lot of time here, and our connection is better than ever. In fact, we even said ‘the words.’”
I make little air quotes, and Cara asks, “What? Do you mean the ‘I love you’ words?”
“I do indeed.”
“Wow. So this is really real, huh?”
“It is,” I confirm, beaming.
My feelings are tempered, though, when Cara sets her wineglass down on the coffee table and says, “Okay, Noelle, now that the words are out there, I have to ask. Are you ever going to tell your brother about you and Blake? Or is this relationship going to remain a secret forever?”
“It’s not,” I reply, defensive. “We’re still planning on telling Noel. I told you I wanted to weeks ago, but, as you know, Blake convinced me to wait a little longer.”
“Yes, but that time is up, Noelle. The season is well underway.”
“I know, but…”
Cara, in typical no-nonsense-form, deadpans, “So what’s going on now that you’re waiting? Is Blake manipulating you with sex to keep you quiet?”
She thinks she’s so funny.
Rolling my eyes, I throw a small decorative pillow at her, which she promptly props up to lean on.
“For your information,” I state firmly, “Blake does not ‘manipulate’ me, with sex or anything else.”
“So what’s the holdup, then?” she asks, throwing up her hands.
Shrugging, I admit, “I really don’t know. It’s just become a habit now to not tell Noel. Or maybe it’s easier this way. I think for Blake, he’s still a little worried about screwing up their hockey mojo. And, really, to be honest, so am I.”
Cara, who loves hockey as much as the guys and I do, so much so that she runs a popular hockey blog, nods understandingly.
“Yes, there is that,” she says, sighing. “The Wolves have been playing exceptionally well lately. It would really suck if it all fell apart over something like telling Noel the truth and him not handling it well.”
“It sure would,” I concur, shuddering at the thought. “Still, it’s true that this secret was only supposed to last through the beginning of the season. We’re a month into things now, and Noel still doesn’t know.” I groan and shake my head. “Truthfully, Cara, Blake and I are both at fault. It’s like neither of us wants to rock the boat with the team…or with us.”
“Maybe that’s more what this is about,” she says quietly. “Maybe you’re afraid if you tell Noel, things will change with you and Blake.”
“I don’t know.” I sigh. “You may be right. Sometimes it’s easier just to not do anything, to keep on going as you have been, for fear of messing up something good.”
“Right, but you have to get this over with, Noelle. Your brother can’t stay in the dark forever. He’s bound to find out anyway.”
“I know, I know,” I lament.
“It may not be so bad. Your brother might not even be mad, he may be super happy for you.”
I think it over and reply, “That is a possibility.”
“It is, Noelle. So freaking tell him already, okay?”
I down a big gulp of wine, and then say, “Can we just talk about something else? Please.”
“Sure. So how about you finally telling me what it is you’re planning for Blake?” She waggles her brows. “Is it something hot and kinky? After this heavy conversation, I sure hope so.”
I roll my eyes. “No, it’s not hot and kinky at all, you perv. It actually has to do with when Blake and I were down in Key West. I got the idea there, and I’ve been mulling it over ever since.”
She holds up her hand. “Ooh, let me guess. You’re planning another vacation for you two?”
“No. You’re not even close.”
“Ugh.” Cara makes a face. “Just tell me already. Enough with the guessing.”
Laughing, I relent. “Okay, okay. So here’s my plan—I want to go to an animal shelter and adopt a cat for Blake.”
Brow knitting, Cara says, “Wait. Does he even like cats?”
“Yes, yes!” I get real excited. “He loves them. You should’ve seen him down at the Hemingway House in Key West. There are a ton of cats there, and I swear Blake made a point to make a fuss over every single one.”
That melts Cara’s heart, like it did mine.
“Aww,” she coos, “that is so
sweet. You know, Jaxon loves animals too. He and I saved a little iguana from a trap down at your brother’s beach house this past summer.”
I nod, having heard the story. “Yeah, I know. Noel filled me in on what happened. Did you know he actually fired the groundskeeper who set that stupid trap?”
“Damn straight. I did know that. He told us.”
Since we’re all such big animal lovers, it’s no surprise then that Cara tells me she thinks it’s a great idea for me to adopt a cat for Blake.
“It’d be kind of like your cat too,” she notes, glancing around. “Seeing as you’re here all the time.”
“Yes, I am. And I was thinking the same thing. I think it’d work out great. I can take care of the little guy, or gal, when Blake’s out of town for his road games.”
Cara’s excited and insists on going to the shelter with me.
I tell her that’s great, I’d love the company.
So the next day, I pick her up bright and early, pumped to find the perfect pet for Blake, and glad she’s with me to aid in the decision.
Once we’re at the shelter, we visit each and every feline prospect.
I do indeed find the ideal cat for Blake—a two-year-old neutered male ginger tabby named Sal.
He’s a sweetie, and his name really fits him.
“Yeah, we won’t be changing that,” I tell the little guy.
I start filling out the paperwork, but in the interest of responsibility, and to be fair to Sal, I put down that if for any reason Blake doesn’t like Sal, or he doesn’t want him—which is highly unlikely—I’ll make a home for him at my place.
After everything is official, we leave the shelter.
I drop Cara off and take Sal to Blake’s to get him settled in and acclimated.
He’s a little nervous at first, but eventually relaxes.
I think he senses that he now has a forever home.
I hope he knows that.
Later that night, as I’m seated on a comfy chair by the sofa, waiting for Blake to return from his string of road games, Sal jumps up and curls himself into a ball of fur on my lap.
“You’re so cute,” I murmur.
He really is a sweet fellow, and I adore him already.
Just as Sal starts purring up a storm, I hear Blake coming in.