Once in the car, I direct her to the dealership. The curious look on her face as we pull in is amusing.
“What are we doing here?”
“I’m showing you your new SUV.”
“My what?!” she practically yells at me.
“I bought you a Highlander.” I smile at her.
“When?”
“Before I left on the Minneapolis road trip. The one I wanted had to be shipped from a different dealership, so it took a while. Then I got hurt and it got put on the back burner.”
“I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say.”
“There is nothing to say. Let’s go look at it.” I wink at her as she parks. We head inside to find the sales associate who helped me.
To say Becca loved it would be an understatement. Since I can’t drive right now, she’s going to take me to the arena, go back home and take an Uber back to the dealership so she can pick it up.
After she checked it out and took it for a quick test drive, she tackled me with hugs and kiss, thanking me over and over.
“I’m glad you love it so much,” I tell her, still holding her in a tight hug.
“Thank you. I don’t feel like that’s enough, but I don’t know what else to say.”
Bringing my hands up to cup her cheeks, I look her right in the eyes. “You don’t need to thank me. I love you and seeing your excitement is enough for me. Plus, I know you needed a car here and were worried about being able to afford one. Like I told you before, I want to take care of you in every way. I want to provide for you, even though I know you’re perfectly capable of taking care of yourself. This is just one way I can do that.”
Becca lifts up on her toes and places a kiss on my lips. “Thank you. I love you,” she whispers against my lips.
Becca changes her mind about taking an Uber, she’s just too excited about her new SUV. So, she’ll take the Highlander now and come back for my car later. She’s so excited to drive the Highlander, and I don’t blame her. After leaving the dealership, we head for the arena so I can talk with the coaching and training staff about me sitting in on the video sessions and possibly working out my upper body. Besides having a cast from my toes to my upper thigh, I feel great. All the pain is gone, and I feel like I’m healing well.
The coaching and training staff agree I can sit in on the video sessions, and Josh puts together a weight training regimen I can follow to work out my right leg and upper body. It feels so good to be exercising again. I feel happier and stronger just being back here and around my teammates. It’s really been taking a toll on my mental state to be unable to do my job, even if the injury was directly caused by that job in the first place. Breaking my leg had me slowly falling into depression, but after my workout today and being around my teammates, my spirits are lifted and life feels like it’s on its way to being normal again. I have a few more weeks in the cast and then I’ll start a rigorous PT schedule until I’m cleared to skate again.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Becca
I’m surprised how quickly this month has passed. Scott’s recovery has gone smoothly. I was a little worried about his mental health the first few weeks, but once he was cleared to attend video sessions and workout with the team again, his spirits lifted and he finally found himself again.
He has an appointment today with the doctors and is scheduled to get his cast off! We are both super excited for this, as he should be cleared to go back to weight-bearing, allowing him to drive again. He’ll also start PT, working to regain his strength and eventually he’ll get back to skating. I know that’s what he wants most, so reminding him to not overdo it in practice or the weight room will be a challenge. Sex with a full leg cast hasn’t been possible, so we're looking forward to time together this afternoon. Scott made sure I knew it was on the top of his agenda for the day.
“Hey babe, are you ready to go? I don’t want to be late for my appointment,” Scott calls from the living room.
“I will be in a few seconds. We won’t be late! Your appointment isn’t for another forty-five minutes.”
“I know, I just want to get it over with so we can get back here, and I can strip your clothes off. It’s going on six weeks here, woman!” he tells me as I walk into the living room. The way he tracks my movement with his eyes and the sexy smirk on his face tells me everything I need to know.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know exactly how long it’s been. Remember it’s been the same amount of time for me too. You’re not the only one who’s in need of some sexy time.” I wink at him. “Let’s go,” I tell him as I put on my coat and head for the garage.
Watching Scott’s cast being cut off was interesting. Having worked in the ER for the majority of my nursing career, I’ve seen a few casts put on but never one getting taken off. I will not miss the smell of the skin that’s been stuck under the cast for the past six weeks. The skin always looks weird since it has been covered for so long without being washed. First stop after this will be a shower for him! Sex will have to wait.
Thankfully, the x-rays show that his leg is fully healed, and he’s given the green light to start physical therapy. They’ll see how his PT goes, and the doctors will re-evaluate him every few days until they feel like he can return to the ice for practices and then games. But the doctor is optimistic Scott will be back in the game within a couple of months.
Scott insists on driving when we leave the doctor’s office. We head for the team’s office so he can submit the paperwork from the doctor and get his PT appointments set up. With it being Thanksgiving week, he knows he will not get a full weeks’ worth of PT appointments, but he wants to get in all that he can.
After talking with his coach and the training staff, he’s set up a schedule for every day but Thursday. Since the team has a game Friday night, the training staff will be here and available to work with him. After all that, we finally head home.
As we’re driving, Scott reaches his hand over to rest on my thigh and squeezes it slightly. “I can’t wait to get you home.” His words drip with desire, sending tingles all through my body, right down to my center.
“Hmm…” I murmur. “Shower first?”
“As long as you join me.”
“I think I can arrange that,” I tell him, as he pulls into the garage and shuts off the car. “Race you to the shower?” I tease him as I open the door to hop out.
“You’re on!” he says as he gets out of the car.
As soon as we make it into the condo and the door clicks shut, he has me pinned against the wall, his lips attacking mine. We’re pulling at each other’s clothing, but neither is getting very far with our wild, frantic attempts at stripping each other. He breaks our kiss and takes a step back, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward our master bathroom, turning on the shower.
Scott steps back in front of me and grabs the hem of my shirt, pulling it up and over my head. He unbuttons my jeans and pushes them off my hips and down my legs, taking his time to caress my legs as he slides the jeans down and off my feet. As he stands back up, I grab the hem of his t-shirt and pull it up as far as I can until he takes over, removing it all the way, while I unbutton and drop his jeans to the ground. He’s now clad only in boxer briefs, and I’m left in my matching bra and panties.
“You are so fucking beautiful,” he rasps out as his gaze roams my entire body. He reaches out and flicks the front clasp of my bra open, watching as my breasts spill out of the material. His palms cup them, as he drags the pads of his callused thumbs across my pebbled nipples. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him down toward me for a kiss.
Scott leans down and kisses me hard. He drops his hands to my ass, giving it a good squeeze, then hooks his fingers in the band of my panties and pushes them off my hips and down my legs until I step out of them. He reaches down and pushes his boxers off his hips, returning his hands to my ass and lifting me up until I wrap my legs around his waist, as he walks us into the shower.
As soon as the water hits my
skin, I relax into his body. His lips land on my neck, as he sucks and teases me, kissing his way around my neck and jaw line. He has me pinned me against the wall and is thrusting his hips against me.
“God, I‘ve missed this. I need inside of you right fucking now,” he growls into my ear as he sucks my earlobe between his teeth.
I reach down and grab his cock, giving it a few strokes before I line him up, and he pushes inside me to the hilt. We groan audibly at the feeling of being connected again. Scott stills after that initial thrust, allowing my body time to expand to his size until I start to move against him.
“Let me do it. You enjoy. I’m not going to last long, babe,” he rasps as he starts to thrust at a steady pace. “Holy shit, you’re so tight.”
“Don’t stop,” I moan as he continues to thrust inside me, seconds later he has me shouting “I’m coming!” as my orgasm rips through my body.
“That’s it, baby, ride out that wave,” Scott grunts each word between thrusts, slamming his hips hard against me with one final thrust, roaring out as his orgasm takes over his body. His breathing is labored as we both shake in the aftermath of our orgasms. I pepper kisses along his chest and neck as he gathers himself. He slips out of my body, and I immediately miss the feeling of him inside of me. He lowers me to my feet and places a gentle kiss to my lips. “That was amazing. Now, let’s get clean before I’m ready for round two.” He smacks my ass as he reaches for his body wash.
After our shower round, we spend hours in bed together, enjoying each other between cat naps and just reconnecting, as we talk about anything and everything. We discuss what’s to come for Scott in the next few weeks, holiday plans, and our plans for next summer. From vacations, we would love to take in the future, to marriage and kids. Conversation has always come easy between us, and I love when we can lie, wrapped in each other’s arms, and talk like this.
“Happy Thanksgiving!” Kinley says as soon as I answer my phone.
“Hey, Chica! Happy Thanksgiving! Did you just get off work?”
“Yes, on my way home to get some sleep before I head over to my parents for the rest of the day. What are you guys doing?”
“Scott’s teammate, Matt Soaps, and his wife Bridget, invited us over. They usually host a large group and always invite the single guys and anyone else on the team who want to come. Since Scott has always been single, he’s always gone to their house. Bridget is one of the women, who I was telling you about. She’s one of the ladies who has included me in with the WAG events, and befriended me since I came down for the first games.”
“As much as I miss you, I’m so glad that you are making friends there.”
“Me too. But I miss you like crazy. Any chance you’ll be able to come visit around Christmas or New Year’s?”
“I’m trying. If I can make it work, you’ll be the first one to know.”
“Well, remember that once you’re here, you won’t have much to worry about. You’re more than welcome to stay with us. Although, I’m sure Brian wouldn’t put up a fight if you wanted to stay with him,” I tease her.
“Mmhmm... yeah, that boy is something else,” she retorts. “Are you going Black Friday shopping?” she asks, obviously changing the subject.
“I haven’t thought about it, but I’ll try to get my hands on the ads, see if anything grabs my attention. Maybe some of the girls are going and I can tag along. I have absolutely no idea what to get for Scott for Christmas, so I need to start looking and thinking of a gift for him. Are you going out?”
“My mom wants to go out tonight when the stores open, so I will probably tag along with her.”
Kinley and I continue our conversation for a few minutes until she makes it home, getting off the phone so she can sleep. I have to finish the pies I’m bringing to Matt and Bridget’s house, anyway.
“Mmm…something smells great in here,” Scott says, a little while later, placing a kiss on my neck as he wraps his arms around my waist from behind.
“Just the pies I have baking.”
“And here I thought it was you,” he says as he kisses my neck again.
“Charmer!” I tease back.
“What time did you want to head over to the Soaps’?” Scott asks. I’m still getting used to all the nicknames the guys go by instead of using their first names. Most of Scott’s teammates call him either by his last name or captain. When they call him Taylor, it usually takes me a few seconds to realize they’re talking about Scott.
“The pies will be done in a few minutes and I still need to shower and change. How early are they expecting everyone?”
“Anytime, pretty much. A few will show up early enough to watch the football games, and others will wait until closer to when we eat. I think he said we were planning on eating around three.”
“I can be ready to head over within an hour or so. On our way, can we stop and grab a newspaper? I want to look at all the sale ads and see if there are any good Black Friday sales.”
“Yep, I think Bridget and some of the other women go shopping together, so I’m sure you can go with them if you want.”
“Perfect. I was talking to Kinley about that earlier,” I tell him as the timer goes off, and I break out of his arms so I can pull the pies out of the oven. “Man, these smell so yummy, and look delicious, if I do say so myself.”
“You’re sure we have to take them both to the party? We can’t keep one here for us?” Scott asks while trying not to pout.
“Nice try. I can always make another one if you don’t get enough at their house. Now, no touching them while I’m showering,” I tell him as I walk toward the bedroom.
“I don’t think I can eat one more bite,” I groan as I push my plate away from me. “You did an incredible job, Bridget. The food was fantastic.”
“Anytime. I love cooking and enjoy hosting everyone.”
I stand to help Bridget clear the table and clean the kitchen. “Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“It’s not a problem. I don’t mind helping.”
“Go sit and relax. I have teenagers who can do all the dirty work.” She says shooing me out of the kitchen.
“Do you want to go shopping with us tonight?” Bridget asks as we both take a seat in the living room.
“I would love to. Do you already have a list of stores you’re going to? I looked over the ads earlier, but haven’t made a list yet. A few things caught my eye.”
“Kind of, we usually sit here and make a plan. Sometimes we split the group, and a few go to one store, and a few go to another. We tackle each other’s lists for those stores.”
We go shopping a little while later, with a plan of attack for our Black Friday trip. I’m excited to spend more time with these girls who have quickly become great friends.
We’ve been out for a few hours, and I still have no idea what to get Scott for Christmas. I’m starting to get overwhelmed by it.
“What are you getting Matt for Christmas?” I ask Bridget. “I’m drawing a blank at what to get Scott.”
“He’s the hardest person ever to buy for. If he wants something, he buys it. So, I usually plan a kid-free vacation for us to take over the All-Star Break, or at the end of the season. What about a boudoir photo shoot? You could have the pictures taken and then made into a book to give him? Maybe have a couple printed up on canvas?”
“That’s a terrific idea! I never would’ve thought of that.”
“I had them done a few years ago, and I think it was Matt’s favorite gift I’ve ever given him in the twenty-plus years we’ve been together. I can text you the name of the photographer I used, who is amazing. She also offers makeup and wardrobe specialists if you want them.”
“I absolutely need all the help I can get to pull off a thing like boudoir photos off!”
“It isn’t as bad as you think. You can stay as covered or as naked as you feel comfortable being. I did a good selection of both, and they’re so tastefully done that I didn’t feel uncomfortable with any of
them.”
We finish our shopping trip, and I continue to think over her suggestion. It’s intriguing to me, and something to think about. I’ll need to make a decision quickly, though, if I’m going to be able to get in and get the pictures done before Christmas.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Scott
The weeks following Thanksgiving have been a blur. Physical therapy was a pain the first week or so, and then it was like a switch flipped and things started to click within my body. I progressed quickly and was back to practicing with my team within a couple of weeks of my cast coming off. The doctors cleared me to return to the ice for tomorrow’s game.
Being cleared for the game couldn’t have come at a better time. Both my parents and Becca’s parents all arrive this afternoon, to be here for the holidays. They were all hopeful that they would get to see me play, not just my team.
I make it home after practice and our film session, to find Becca and our parents discussing what they’d like to do while they’re here on vacation. They’re all staying through the new year, and everyone – except Becca – knows that I plan to propose on New Year’s Eve. All our family and friends are in on my plans. It’s been so difficult not to let the surprises slip over the past few weeks, but thankfully, we’ve all managed to keep it under wraps.
Since my condo only has two bedrooms, our parents are staying at a hotel down the street from us. Once the rest of our family arrives later in the week, having everyone here will be tight, but doable. This is the only time I wish I had bought a house rather than a condo. That’s something to discuss with Becca over the next few months, so that maybe by this time next year we’ll be in a bigger place.
My first shift back in the game gives me flashbacks to my rookie season. I haven’t felt the jittery nerves that course through my body in years. I’m not usually affected this much, and I’m anxious to complete that first shift, shake off the nerves, and get back into my groove. I need to find my stride on the ice and regain my place as the captain of this team.
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