Snowflakes and Ice Skates: A Holiday Romance Anthology (Utah Fury Hockey)
Page 16
Lance
The same thoughts ran through my mind from the time I fell asleep to when I made it to the arena for training.
Did she have fun? Did she enjoy being with me? What was next for us?
That was what I was most curious about. The party was over, so we didn’t have anything to link us. Would things change now? Would our near-constant communication via texts fade? Was she glad it was over?
This was so unlike me. I wasn’t the type to get self-conscious or overthink every single little thing. I wanted to head to her office and talk it out, but that would have to wait until later. Even though today was just weight training, I couldn’t skip without a good excuse. I doubted Coach Rust would accept me needing to check in on the woman I have a crush on as valid.
“Hey, man,” Jake greeted me as I entered the weight room.
“Hi,” I dropped my duffle bag along the wall and moved to spot him on the bench.
“Did you guys have fun last night?” he asked after finishing the first rep.
I watched the bar, making sure it was secure on the rungs before answering, “Yeah. At least I think so. She seemed happy when I dropped her off, but you never know with women.”
Olli chuckled next to us. “Truer words have never been spoken.”
Brandon shook his head, standing behind Olli. “It shouldn’t be that hard. Was she smiling?”
I nodded.
“Was she quiet?” he continued.
I thought about our conversation about our favorite stands on the drive to her apartment. “Not at all.”
“And when you left, did she do anything? Hug or kiss you?”
All three of them were staring, waiting for my response.
“We hugged, and I kissed her cheek.”
Olli winced, and Jake swung around to get into position for another press.
Was that wrong? Should I have tried to actually kiss her?
Brandon pursed his lips.
“What? What did I do?”
Olli chuckled, “It’s what you didn’t do.”
Brandon nodded. “I’m afraid he’s right.”
“Hey, spotter!” Jake got my attention as he adjusted his grip and lifted the bar. I watched him and prepared to catch weight as his arms wobbled just a bit. He completed the rep then sat back up.
“So you guys think I should have done more?” I asked.
Olli nodded, and Jake rubbed his jaw.
“At least a proper kiss,” Brandon offered.
“Did you ask if she wanted to hang out after? Watch a movie or have a drink?” Jake asked.
A slow, simmering panic stirred in my gut. “No. Was I supposed to?”
I wasn’t an expert when it came to dating. I wasn’t practiced in proper protocol and expectations of women. The women I used to hang out with never had any. They were happy with whatever time or attention I gave them and didn’t care if we ever saw each other again. I was out of my depths with this.
Jess didn’t seem offended or put off that I didn’t ask her if I could come in, but then again, she was pretty good at controlling her emotions. If she didn’t want me to know, then I never would. Was I too late?
“Stop overthinking.” Jake broke me away from my downward spiral. “Just go talk to her when we’re done.”
He was right. There wasn’t anything I could do at this moment, so I pushed away the anxious thoughts and focused on the task at hand.
I only checked my watch a dozen or so times. The waiting gave me time to plan, and when we were done for the day, I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to Dani asking for a favor. Luckily, we were on the same page, and she said I was good to go.
On the way over, I picked up a few items. I wanted to tip the scales in my favor as much as possible, and I wasn’t above buying my way to get my foot in the door.
The sound of my knock echoed through the empty hallway. The moment I saw her, I felt some of my panic wane. She was grinning at me like I was the best thing that could have been on the other side.
“Hi, I didn’t know you were coming.” She stepped back and waved me inside.
“I wanted to surprise you.” I walked to her kitchen and unloaded my arms on the counter. “I texted Dani to see if you could have the afternoon off, but she was already on it.”
She laughed. “Yeah, she texted me this morning that we both deserved the day off, so I’ve been lounging.” She gestured to her hot pink sweatpants and oversized t-shirt. Her thick hair was tied up in a bun on the top of her head, but it was the mismatched socks that caught my eye.
She covered one foot with the other. “Don’t make fun of me. I’m terrible at putting pairs together after I do laundry, so I just grab two that are the same length. No one ever sees. Well, usually.”
I chuckled and turned to the bags. “Your secret is safe with me.” I took out the lunch of soup and sandwiches I picked up from Sprout as well as the white chocolate peppermint hot chocolate mix I picked up from the specialty store near the arena. She mentioned it was her favorite treat last night, and I thought she would like to have some mix at home.
“What’s all this?” She stepped next to me, brushing her arm against mine as she picked up the mix.
“You went to Culberson’s Chocolate for me?” She held the tin to her chest.
“Yeah, it’s right next to the arena.” I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal, but her eyes glistened.
“Thank you.” She set it down and opened her arms to me. I stepped into them and wrapped mine around her shoulders. She burrowed into my chest like a kitten, and I felt my heart crack open just a bit more.
“I got your favorites for lunch too.” I brushed stray hairs out of her face when she gazed up at me.
“You’re spoiling me.” She rested her chin on my sternum, and I decided I never wanted to move again. This was the most perfect position that ever existed.
“You deserve it.” I kissed the top of her head, and the guys’ words ran through my mind. I didn’t do enough last night. I need to make it absolutely clear how I felt. This could easily go in the opposite direction and lead to us being just good friends. I didn’t want that. I wanted all of her. Her heart, her smile, her tears. “Jess?”
She blinked up at me, her smile never wavering. “Yes?”
I inhaled, mustering all my courage before letting it all out. “I don’t want this to be over just because the party is done. I want to keep going on dates with you. I want to continue talking and getting to know you. I want us to give this a real chance.”
Her eyes widened, and a moment later her smile widened. “I want that too, Lance.”
“You do?” I was stunned. I didn’t have to beg or grovel. How could it be that simple?
“Yeah, I said yes to you initially because I wanted to give you a shot. I wanted to see if there was more to you than what you first show people, and you’ve surpassed every expectation. You’ve become a part of my life. I can’t imagine not having you in it.”
This was all I could have wanted, but I had to make one thing clear.
“Not as a friend, right?”
She laughed. “I don’t think I would want to do this with my friend.”
Before I could contemplate her meaning, she rose on her toes, and cupped the side of my face with one hand. Her lips met mine, and heat swarmed within my entire body. I lowered my hands to her waist and held her close, embracing the feelings that just weeks ago would have scared me enough to run away.
This was so much more than I could have imagined. Perfection. A feeling of contentment. It was right.
She pulled back with a wicked grin.
“I hope you don’t do that with your other friends.” I shocked myself by putting together a coherent sentence.
She laughed, and I wanted to commit this moment to my memory forever.
“I told you it was just the beginning.” She winked, and I tugged her closer to me. She’d been right that day in the parking lot. She knew what we could be, and I’d
never been more grateful.
“I can’t wait to see what comes next.” I lowered my head and kissed her again.
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Xoxo B
Next in the Series
Game Misconduct
Fate, and pizza, brought them together but will they realize how much more they could have, or will pride keep them apart?
Parker Garrison should have seen the trade coming, but he was the last to know he was moving to Salt Lake four months into the season. Rather than letting the surprise ruin his season, he decides to throw himself into becoming an integral part of the team––on and off the ice––and he knows just the person to help him.
Vivian Ashwood was looking for a change but never expected her new roommate would introduce her to a world she’d only seen in gossip magazines. Her quiet, predictable life is turned upside down the moment half of the Utah Fury makes themselves at home in her living room. When one of them makes her an offer that makes her heart skip a beat, she knows things are going to get interesting.
Also By Brittney Mulliner
Utah Fury Hockey
Puck Drop (Reese and Chloe)
Match Penalty (Erik and Madeline)
Line Change (Noah and Colby)
Attaching Zone (Wyatt and Kendall)
Buzzer Beater (Colin and Lucy)
Open Net (Olli and Emma)
Full Strength (Grant and Addison)
Drop Pass (Nikolay and Elena)
Scoring Chance (Derrek and Amelia)
Penalty Kill (Brandon and Sydney)
Power Play (Jason and Taylor)
Center Ice (Jake and Dani)
Game Misconduct (Parker and Vivi)
Royals of Lochland
His Royal Request
His Royal Regret
Her Royal Rebellion
Young Adult
Begin Again Series
Begin Again
Live Again
Love Again (Coming Soon)
Charmed Series
Finding My Charming
Finding My Truth (Coming Soon)
Standalones
The Invisibles
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About the Author
Brittney has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember. Her parents’ form of punishment growing up was taking away her books and making her go outside to play. She loves the beach, exercising, sleeping in, and cookies. Yes, she does know those contradict each other. She’s an obsessive dog lover and is slowly learning to appreciate the mountains she lives in. Nature can be okay, sometimes.
Find out more about Brittney and her books at www.Brittneymulliner.com