"You know that basing your reason on a what-if that might never happen is crazy, right?"
"Ry, it's happened twice already. I made those guys who jumped you angry, remember? I was the one who told them to fuck off when they started stuff at the parade. They should've come after me, but instead, they hurt you. It's the same thing with Kelsey. She's hurt because of me."
"No. She's hurt because she's a badass who got involved when some assholes went looking to deliberately cause harm. Just like those homophobic bastards who hurt me. Whether you'd said anything or not wouldn't have stopped them. Just look at all of the members of the LGBTQ community who've been attacked simply because of who they are."
Leo stared at his brother for a long moment while the words sank in. "I know you're right. But I can't help feeling guilty."
"You've been feeling guilty about me?"
"Ever since it happened."
"Well, stop." Ryan softened his words with a smile. "You were sticking up for me, and I love you for it. You're the most loyal, protective person I know. If I had to have anyone in my corner, I'd want you."
"Thanks."
Ryan gave him a wise nod over his beer. "You know I'm right about Kelsey too."
"I don't do scared. I've never scared except for three times in my life. The first was when Mom was diagnosed and I realized that she could be taken from us. The second time was when I found you in the park and I was afraid you were hurt so badly you'd never wake up. The third time was that night at the bar, when Kelsey jumped in to help me and there were too many attackers for me to protect her. I'm in love with her, Ry. The thought of her being hurt terrifies me."
"You need to talk to her."
Leo cradled his head in his hands as every word of their last conversations, and the way she could barely look at him during the awards interview replayed through his mind. In his attempt to keep her from being hurt, he'd ended up hurting her worse than anyone else might have because he didn't believe enough their strength together. Twin blades of regret and remorse sliced through his heart and tore up his gut. He'd ruined the best thing to ever come into his life. "I think I messed it up pretty bad. I don't know if it's fixable."
"I think everything is fixable if you try hard enough. You're a fighter. She makes you happy. Fight for her."
He raised his head. Ryan was right. He was a fighter. He would fight for her, for their love, with everything he had. "I will. I promise." He rounded the table and hugged Ryan hard. "I love you, bud. You're a smart kid."
"I know. I should start charging for this advice."
On Sunday night, Leo stood outside Kelsey's door. He rolled his shoulders, blew out a breath, and shook out his hands. He'd been pumped full of confidence by his dad and brothers before they'd seen him off at the airport. This had to work.
His heart beating in his throat, he knocked on the door. Faint barking made him smile. After a long pause where he'd considered knocking again, the door opened halfway, enough to glimpse Kelsey's face and a column of her body.
She didn't smile. "What are you doing here?"
Icing darted through Kelsey's legs and into the hallway. With excited barks, she jumped repeatedly on his jeans.
Kelsey stepped into the hallway. "Come here. Icing."
"She's fine." Leo bent to pet the soft fur, happy that at least one of the apartment's residents was happy to see him.
"She's not fine. She knows she's not supposed to run into the hall." Kelsey lifted her dog into her arms. "What can I do for you, Leo?"
Her eyes widened the barest bit when she met his gaze.
He cleared his throat. Then felt the weight of his travel bag—the same bag he'd had the first time they'd met, and the one he'd taken on that trip with her to Philly. He jerked his head at the bag. "I was supposed to be in Philly for a long weekend."
"Rod mentioned that."
"But I found something when I was there so I had to come back."
A tiny crease formed on her forehead. "What did you find?"
"That I don't want to live without you."
Her chin quivered and she pressed her lips together. Tears gathered in her eyes. Swallowing hard, she cuddled the dog tighter.
He shifted a step closer, fighting the sting behind his eyes. "Please, can I come in so we can talk?"
"All right." She nudged the door open wider with her foot. Relief washed over him when he stepped inside the space but he still had a long road ahead.
Kelsey deposited Icing in her bedroom and closed the door, then gestured to the couch. "Have a seat."
He sat then immediately stood again. Too much adrenaline moved through him, he couldn't keep still. "I guess I should start with some of the things I said the last time I was here. I couldn't handle the thought of being responsible for you being hurt, especially if it's somehow connected to something I started. I left because I thought you'd be safer if I wasn't a part of your life."
She shook her head. "That's—"
"Ridiculous? I realize that now. Ryan told me that my reasoning was also lame. And he's right."
A mixture of confusion and hurt crossed her face. "But I basically told you the same thing. So, why did you believe your brother but not me?"
"I think it was still too raw for me that morning. The attack had just happened. I couldn't think past anything except the overwhelming need to keep you safe." He moved a step closer to her. "The thought of you getting hurt still terrifies me. It cuts me deeper than actually being hurt myself."
Her lips pressed together and then she let out a shaky breath. "Then how do I know that you won't skate off and leave me again the next time something difficult happens?"
Desperate to wipe that brokenhearted expression from her face and to soothe her worries, he closed the space between them. "Because these days away from you have been hell. Because I know now that being apart from you is something I never want to experience again. Because I know that together, you and I are strong enough to face anything. I love how strong you are and that you'll protect and help anyone who needs it."
"Even you?"
"Even me."
She folded her arms across her chest. "You said some things that day that I'd like to discuss too. First, you said that you can't shake the shadow of what happened, and that every time you look at me, you think of my being injured in that fight. How do we change that?"
"I don't know. I still get the picture in my head of Ryan when he was injured too. I'm going to have to work on that." He yanked his hands through his hair.
Kelsey captured his hands and linked their fingers together. "I think you're strong enough to face it, and I think that over time, those things will fade, especially if we're replacing them with lots of good memories."
The touch and the words moved through him, healing the darkened places. "If I have you with me, I know I'll be strong enough."
"I promise, okay? I know we have other things that still need to be worked out, but I'll be there."
He brought her hand to his lips then pressed her palm against his cheek. "I talked to the GM this morning and told him I'm interested in playing here next year. He said he'd like to keep me. Obviously, we'll need to get through the playoffs first, but we're going to work on a contract after the season is over. I'll do whatever I have to do, take less money, name it, to stay here. I just need to be with you."
"What about Philly and being near your family?"
"I think we can divide our time between both places. Even if it's summers in Philly and a few weekend trips during the year, we'll figure it out. Buffalo is a lot better than when I was flying in to Philly from L.A. I definitely need to be there for my brothers, whether it's going to Xavier's games when I can, or marching with Ryan in the Pride parade. But I want you there with me."
Her smile grew wider. "I love your family and I love Philly."
He tucked her hair behind her ear. Letting his hand linger, he traced a path across her lips. "I'm glad. My family loves you too."
Kelsey laid
her hand over his heart. "You also said the last time that you were here that things with us were too good to be true, and that you didn't deserve me. Neither of those is true, okay? What we have is good. It's real. It's true. And we definitely deserve each other, in the best possible way. You were made for me and I was made for you."
Warmth and light flowed through him, washing away his heartache. "I love you."
A full smile beamed across her face, lighting her up from the inside. She wound her arms around his neck. "I love you too."
She. Loved. Him.
How the hell had he lucked out?
He lowered his head, savoring the feel of her in his arms and the happiness welling within him. Her soft lips met his and lingered. His blood sang, wanting more. He deepened the kiss and she strained closer, wrapping them together from their lips down to their toes.
Instinct, connection, or love at first sight, whatever people termed it, he knew with Kelsey he had found it forever.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE BUFFALO BEDLAM arena was the friendliest rink in the league. The ice wasn't giving or forgiving. The fans were loyal and loudly voiced taunts for the opposing team. And, the Bedlam members were some of his best friends. As Leo had learned through the hard-fought first round of the playoffs, he could rely on them for anything.
Including planning his engagement.
The last of the fans had cleared out of the stands and even the clean-up crews were absent. Showers, media interviews, and celebrations for securing the win and advancing to the second round, were wrapped up. Being able to get that win in front of their fans had made the victory even sweeter.
Leo checked his pocket one more time to make sure the ring was secure. He paced outside section 302, more nervous about popping the question than anything he'd faced in a long while.
"Leo?" Wearing a Bedlam blue sweater and dark jeans, Kelsey was stunning. "Roddy said you wanted to meet me up here. What's going on?"
He joined their hands. "There's something I want to show you. But I'm feeling sentimental and we first met on March second, so—"
"So, that's why we're meeting at section 302. That's very sweet." Her lips curved in a smile he was lucky to see nearly every day. She slid her hand to his neck and urged his head to meet her lips. The steady warmth in his chest grew and dashed some of the nerves prickling his skin. "What did you want to show me?"
He unfolded one of the papers she'd included in the welcome packet she'd given him on the first day they'd met. "I know the team is a little busy right now with trying to win a Cup, and I know you're not in player services anymore and are rocking your media and TV jobs, but once the off season arrives, I'm hoping you'll help me with finding an apartment or house here, and help me figure out how to move my stuff from L.A."
Her eyebrows knitted together. "You know I'll help you."
"Good. Because I'm thinking of making a permanent move." He tucked the paper into his pocket and drew her further down the concourse.
"Did you really bring me up here to ask about that?"
"No, but it was on my mind." He stopped at the entrance for sections 305 and 306. "Here we are."
"What's here? What did you find?"
"It's more fun if you see it first."
"Hmm. Mysterious." Smiling, she bumped her hip into his. "Is this a solo mission or are you coming too?"
"I'm there. I'll even hold your hand." His palms began to sweat and his heart began to pound. He rubbed his hands on his jeans and then clasped their hands together. Slowly, they walked through the darkened entrance. When her gaze landed on the ice, her eyes grew wider and wider. The catch of her breath matched the moment her hand tightened in his.
They reached the safety rail. From their bird's eye view of the rink, hundreds of pucks dotted the ice, spelling out Will you marry me?
Kelsey's grip tightened even more. "Is this real? Is this happening?"
She spun toward him.
"So real. Definitely happening." He leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "I know this is fast, and I don't want to rush you but I know you're it for me, and no amount of time or any other bit of fan interference is going to change that. Will you marry me?"
"Yes." She wrapped her other arm around his neck and kissed him. "I'm so happy."
"Me too." He slanted his mouth and deepened the kiss, stupid with happiness over the amazing woman in his arms. When he pulled back to take a breath, he dug the ring from his pocket. The round-cut diamond and the amethyst stones on either side of it sparkled. "I know you like purple."
"I do. It's beautiful." She held out her hand and he slid the platinum band on her finger.
He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her fingers, just below her ring. "I have one more surprise for you."
Her brows rose, her eyes widened, and she sputtered a surprised laugh. "More? I can't wait."
"We have to head down a level."
"I hate to leave this view." Her hand swept over the expanse of ice.
"Where we're going, we'll still be able to see it."
"In that case, lead the way."
They rode the elevator down one level and he walked her to a stop in front of a party suite. "We're here."
He pulled open the door. Their families and friends erupted in a cheer.
Raising their joined hands high, Leo pointed to the sparkling diamond on her hand. "She said yes."
Amid more cheers and shouts of congratulations, Kelsey threw her arms around his neck. "This is amazing. All of our favorite people together."
He kissed her again. "It's the best way to start this next part of our lives."
Kelsey's parents sat with his dad at a table overlooking the ice. His dad and brothers had come up for the game and would be staying for the next few days.
Rod and Arielle and Dylan and Blair waved at them from another table. Dylan's health had improved so much that he could be coming off the injured list and returning to the lineup within the next few days. Leo couldn't wait to have his captain back.
His teammates Vince, Celek, Kreider, and Slater were there too. Those guys had proven they were also solid friends.
Leo slid his arm around Kelsey as everyone in the room lifted their glasses in a champagne toast.
Champagne, cake, family and friends, and the love of his life by his side.
Buffalo had turned out to be pretty amazing.
He couldn't wait to stay.
Thank you for reading!
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If you started the Buffalo Bedlam series with Fighting For More, you can read Rod and Arielle’s story in Making His Move, and Dylan and Blair's story in Taking His Shot.
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Acknowledgments
THANK YOU TO MY BETA reader/brainstorming team: Jackie, Beth, Chantel, and Tina. You all truly go above and beyond for me, and I love you.
Thank you to my husband Scott for being my strength and support.
About the Author
SUSAN SCOTT SHELLEY is a USA Today bestselling author. She lives in Philadelphia with her very own Superhero and spends her days writing stories filled with heat and heart, where love always wins.
In addition to writing romances, she is also a professional voice over artist and enjoys lending her voice to a wide range of projects.
An unapologetic optimist, she believes life should be lived with laughter and a sense of wonder. Her favorite things include running, sports, hard rock and old Hollywood movies.
Learn more by visiting http://www.susanscottshelley.com.
Stay up-to-date with Susan via her newsletter: http://www.susanscottshelley.com/newsletter
Susan’s Books
MAKING HIS MOVE (Buffalo Bedlam series)
Fighting For More (Buffalo Bedlam series)
Taking His Shot (Buffalo Bedlam series)
Kiss Me Again (Holiday Hearts series)
More Than Words (Holiday Hearts series)
All I Want (Holiday Hearts series)
Marry Me (Holiday Hearts series)
Holiday Hearts (Holiday Hearts series anthology containing: Kiss Me Again, More Than Words, All I Want, and Marry Me)
Love Notes (Rocked by Love series)
Love Song (Rocked by Love series)
Rekindled (Game of Love series)
Captivated (Game of Love series)
Enamored (Game of Love series)
Flirting on Ice (Atlantic City Hustlers series)
Simmering Ice (Atlantic City Hustlers series)
Iced (Atlantic City Hustlers box set containing Flirting on Ice and Simmering Ice)
Tackled by the Girl Next Door
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Fighting For More Page 11