The tears flow freely as she takes another deep breath and continues. “I was sitting at my kitchen table. I wasn’t doing anything. I hadn’t felt good that day, and I was alone in the quiet. Then the knock on the door came, and I knew that it was them. I knew before I even opened the door.
“I was twenty-three. I was six weeks away from having Sadie, and he was gone. My parents, Tony’s parents, and Tiff were there for me whenever I needed them, but I’m sort of stubborn, and I wanted to do it alone. Because if Tony wasn’t going to be by my side, then I was going to do it alone. And I did. Somewhere along the way, I lost myself, and never thought I could love again. Until you.” Her eyes finally meet mine.
I can’t help it as I lean over and give her a little kiss. “You already know that I love you, so if you’re telling me that you love me and want to be us again, then you know you’re never going to be able to walk away again, right? I won’t let you.”
“Ashton, please listen to me very carefully. I want us to be us again, and I can feel myself falling for you, but I can’t say the words yet. I know they’re there, but you have to realize that I haven’t said those words to another man in sixteen years.”
“All I want or need right now is you, Lex. Just you.”
“I want you too. I don’t want to walk away. I want to be crazy with you.”
I smile. “Then let’s be crazy.”
Epilogue
Lexie
“I’m not seeing a problem here, Lexie.” Brooke sips her tea. I had asked her to come over without Reed so I could talk to her.
“I know that Ashton and you are friends, but I thought I should talk to you first.” I want to tell her that Ashton and I want to talk to the kids about us dating.
“That’s kind of you. I mean it, I’m glad that you told me, but I already figured you two would tell the kids soon.”
Ashton and I have been back together for over a month now, and it’s been amazing. Every moment together seems to be better than the last. It’s almost too good to be true, but it is. I’m dating Ashton Campbell and we’re getting ready to tell Sadie and Reed.
“Is it strange that I’m nervous to tell the kids?”
“Yes, but I can understand. You’ll be fine.” Brooke squeezes my hand.
~
“No more chicken nuggets.” I tell Sadie and Reed as Ashton sits the food on the table. Thankfully we got pizza, but both kids groan because it isn’t their favorite food. However, I can’t handle anymore of those darn nuggets.
Ashton and I figure that it’s best to tell the kids at home and instead of public. Plus, this way, no one can overhear us. I get the kids their pieces of pizza and Ashton let’s them have small glasses of soda. Once we are all settled I figure that it’s time to tell them.
“Okay, kids, Mr. Ashton and I have something to tell you. It’s important that you listen, okay?”
Both kids nod and stare at us. I look over at Ashton. I figured he would tell them.
“You know how Nate is Brooke’s boyfriend? Well, I’m going to be Lexie’s boyfriend.”
The kids stare at us for a moment before Reed pipes in. “So, you’re going to hold her hand and hang out with her?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Sadie, do you understand.” I look over at her and she seems to be confused.
“So, does that mean Mr. Ashton’s my dad?”
“No.” I quickly answer. “He’s my boyfriend and Reed’s dad. He’s still Mr. Ashton to you.”
Sadie still looks perplexed. “I can still play with Reed, right?”
“Yes, of course. You and Reed are best friends and can hang out as much as you want.” I tell her. I don’t want another episode like before when they were so sad from losing each other.
“Okay.” Sadie’s smiles and begins to eat her pizza.
Is that it?
Was that was I worried about?
I look over at Ashton and he smiles and digs into his food.
Well, looks like I’m officially Ashton’s girlfriend.
About the Authors
Lindsay Paige is a romance author from North Carolina who has published eight books on her own. She is a huge hockey fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and loves to play tennis. When not writing, Lindsay is focused on completing college.
Mary Smith was born in Chicago, Illinois, but currently lives in West Virginia. She is an avid reader, co-founder of Book Nerds Across America, and author of the Ice series, Always Forever, and The Hockey Tutor. She goes nowhere without her cell phone or Kindle. Mary loves anything to do with Chicago Blackhawks, Patrick Sharp, or is hockey related!!
Despite their love for different teams and players, Lindsay and Mary write hockey romances to vicariously live through their characters and their experiences with these hot hockey players. Together, they have also written The Penalty Kill Trilogy.
For more information about Lindsay, like her on Facebook.
For more information about Mary, like her on Facebook.
Coming Soon
Lindsay Paige and Mary Smith are excited to announce three more books in the standalone series set to release starting in the spring of 2015. You’ll meet captains Jax Godwin (Las Vegas Gamblers), Luca Zotov (Nebraska Bucks), and Valo Manner (Liberty Eagles).
To stay up-to-date on these future releases, like Lindsay’s Facebook page or Mary’s Facebook page.
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