“Never broke it playing hockey,” I answer quietly, hoping it’s too quiet for her to hear, but that would be impossible with her being so close.
The one arm she has around me squeezes tighter as she bursts into tears, pressing her face into my chest. Fuck. I don’t want her crying over what happened to me when I was a kid. It’s making my throat thicken and hurt worse when it’s already sore. I don’t want to think about it; I definitely don’t want her to think about it.
“Elizabeth, stop crying. I turned out okay, remember?”
“But it breaks my heart to know you went through it,” she cries.
I tilt my head back and cover my mouth with one hand as I cough. She hiccups as she looks at me when I’ve finished.
“Do you think it would’ve been different had your mom not died?”
“I don’t know. I try not to think about it because honestly, I think it would’ve been either her or both of us if she was still alive.” That pushes a few more tears out. “Please stop crying.”
“I hate him,” she blurts out.
“You and me both.” I kiss her forehead, her eyelids, her nose, and then her lips. “Last chance to ask questions.”
Elizabeth shakes her head. “I trust that you’ve told me enough. Thank you. Plus, I’m getting a headache and I can’t think of anything.”
“Get some rest, then.”
She snuggles into me while I focus on the TV. No goals have been scored yet. I can feel Elizabeth’s mouth and chin move against my chest, but I don’t quite hear what she says.
“What?”
“I said I think I like you too much.”
I grin. “Of course you do. There’s a reason I’m everyone’s favorite Rebel; I’m amazing.”
She tries not to smile, but she fails. “Yes, you are,” she agrees with a happy sigh before closing her eyes and quickly falling asleep.
It’s weird to be lying on the couch with Elizabeth while my teammates are on the ice for a game. Looks like Noah’s being paired with Ian Rhett, or Bruiser as we usually call him. Man, I should be out there. Have I really let the flu kick my ass?
My lungs start hacking and a headache hits me hard as the chills worsen. It’s as if the flu is pissed I think I shouldn’t be laid out because of it. Fuck. I’d topple over if I were to try to stand right now. Man, I don’t know if I even have the energy to stand. Good thing I don’t have to.
I squeeze Elizabeth close as Nathan O’Donnell launches down the ice with a breakaway. Donny has a huge defenseman on his heels, and just when he’s close enough to make his move, Donny circles away from him, swings his stick, and nails one top-shelf. Releasing my breath, I ease my grip on Elizabeth.
Rebels are up by one.
Looks like we have Eric Kelly in net, too. He’s our backup goalie while Liam Irving is our starter. That doesn’t mean he starts every single game, though.
Elizabeth startles. “What if you’re traded?” she mumbles. There’s slits where pieces of white and hazel can be seen behind her eyelids. Maybe she’s in that place where she’s not fully awake, but not asleep either.
“You’ll come with me.”
“M’kay.” She tries to scoot impossibly closer and falls silent. She must be more asleep than awake because I don’t think Elizabeth would simply say “m’kay” to the possibility of moving with me somewhere across the country, or to another country, if I get traded to another team. And considering she doesn’t know if she wants a future with me, I highly doubt a quick “m’kay” will be her response if I were to actually be traded and I was to ask her to come with me.
Hmm. Maybe that’s her real answer. The answer she would give me when all her defenses are down. That thought causes me to do something extremely stupid.
“I love you,” I whisper.
But then, she mumbles, “Love you, Marc.”
And I’m frozen. I did not see that coming.
MARC WAKES UP feeling better, which is good because he doesn’t want to miss more games, but I’m still miserable. There even seems to be a pep in his step for some reason. Who smiles that much when they’re sick, even if they are feeling better?
“Go away,” I grumble when he returns from the bathroom and is about to crawl into bed with me. He frowns, clearly hurt. “You’re feeling better; I’m not. What if you get sick again? You should probably go home.”
He rolls his eyes at me. “I’m not leaving you, Elizabeth.” He lies behind me and wraps his arms around me as well as intertwining his legs with mine. He should leave, but I smile because he isn’t. “I’ll be leaving soon anyway.”
I roll over to face him. “What do you mean?”
“I checked last night before we went to bed, and no fever. I haven’t had a fever since I woke up today either. The team flies out this afternoon, and I’m going with them.”
Before I can stop myself, I kiss him, sliding my tongue into his mouth. Marc has me on my back with him settled over me in seconds. He’s definitely feeling better. The thought causes me to laugh.
“What are you doing?” he asks curiously.
“Trying to make you sick again since you’re obviously feeling better.”
Marc laughs. “That’s cruel.”
“I’ll apologize only if you actually get sick again. By the way, Sylvia texted me this morning. She wants us to come over for dinner once y’all are back from the road trip. Do you want to do that?”
“Sure.”
“Okay. Now, be quiet and hug me until you have to leave.”
He rolls us onto our sides and does just that. I doze off every so often, and I’m only half awake when he’s kissing me goodbye with orders to take care of myself while he’s gone. I have dreams about Marc as a little kid with a large, looming man beating him while I stand helplessly nearby. I wake with tears. It’s infuriating and equally heartbreaking to think about what he must’ve gone through as a child. He still struggles now, too. All you have to do is be around when his father calls and see how he tenses.
Overall, I guess he did turn out okay and I honestly don’t know if I can handle knowing more than what I already do. If Marc wanted to talk about it, I’d listen, but I’m not going to ask him about it unless it seems like I should.
I almost wish we were sick more often. Even though I’ve felt like an eighteen-wheeler ran me over a few times, it’s been nice to spend all this time with Marc. I already miss him. This sort of thing, the days apart, is something I never had to deal with when I was with Roger. Neither of us had jobs where we had to travel. We were never apart for longer than a day. With Marc, he travels regularly and the longer we’re together, the more I miss him when he’s gone. He’s only traveling for two games, and it feels like two games too many.
It’s nothing we can’t deal with, though. Or, rather, it’s nothing I can’t deal with. Marc probably misses me only a little, if at all, since he’s used to this kind of thing. For some reason, I grab my phone and check the date. The anniversary of Roger’s death is coming up soon. The urge to go see him is suddenly strong. I never did talk about Marc last time I was there since Scott showed up. That feels like something I should do, but it won’t be today.
“How are things going with you and Marc?” Sylvia asks when I’m finally feeling better and we’re out to lunch at Bagels and Butts. The guys came home this morning after two wins on the road against a pair of Canadian teams and we’re having our dinner tonight. Since I didn’t return to work until today because I didn’t start feeling better until yesterday afternoon, Sylvia didn’t want to wait until dinner to find out any juicy details. Meredith is also here.
“We’re fine.”
She huffs. “That’s pitiful. I want details. Are things still hot and steamy? Do you still want to spend every waking moment with him? Are you swapping secrets? Learning everything there is to know? Do you miss him terribly when he’s away? Are you dying to jump his bones the minute you see him?”
“Sylvia! Stop it. We’re just dating.”
“Seriously dating,” she corrects and I roll my eyes. “Don’t, Lizzy. You have to admit that you’re a little crazy about him. When I said his name earlier, you smiled. I think you’re more than smitten with him, and it’s easy to see he’s in lo—”
“Don’t you dare!” My eyes are about to pop out of my head and I clear my throat since I nearly screeched. I shake my head, oddly remembering a dream where Marc and I actually said those words, and NO. I am not prepared to think about this, especially with Roger’s anniversary right around the corner.
“It’s true,” Sylvia softly mutters.
“Stop it! One more word and I’m canceling the dinner.”
“Is it really that scary, Lizzy?” Meredith asks with confusion.
“Yes!” To think that Marc might lo— Nope. I can’t even think the word. I don’t know why it’s terrifying, but it is. This is just another reminder that he’s too good for me. He can’t, you know, without knowing all the facts about me, facts that I don’t know if I can tell him. Facts that are much worse than his past. It’s so much easier to think of us as something fun and as two people who are simply dating than something serious. “Marc doesn’t bring this up, so it would be great if you didn’t either.”
“I’m trying to prepare you because he will eventually.”
“No, he won’t.”
“He won’t,” Meredith says. “At least, I don’t think so. But I don’t think it would be a bad idea to make sure you clue him in on how much you like him from time to time.”
Clue him in? Like he doesn’t know?
“Marc seems like he doesn’t always believe you actually like him.” Meredith shrugs. “Nothing bad about reassuring him every now and then.”
“Marc has insecurities?” Sylvia asks with surprise. “Wow. Wouldn’t have ever thought that.”
“Yeah, me either,” Meredith agrees.
I sink in my chair. Maybe that’s a side effect from his father. I’m not always the friendliest person either.
“Do you want to help out with the fashion show at the end of the month?” Sylvia asks.
“What fashion show?”
She goes on to explain that the wives and girlfriends are putting together the event for charity, and since I’m now dating Marc, I can participate. I start shaking my head before she can finish telling me all the details. All I’d have to do at this point is show up and be in the show if I’d want, but no. “I’ll either attend with Marc or I’ll watch the girls for you that night, but I don’t think I’m ready to go whole hog like that.”
“Okay. I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask.”
I haven’t even thought about how I could eventually be drawn into Marc’s job because I date him. That could be fun, but I don’t want to be involved until I’m comfortable with it. I tune out while they talk because my mind is already on tonight.
Marc wants to meet at his place for me to ride over with him and then stay the night. I packed an overnight bag this morning, so I wouldn’t have to go home first after work. He has the day off, so he should be home when I get there, too. Honestly, I’m hoping to have some time alone with him before we’re thrown into the chaos of Scott and Sylvia’s house.
When I pull into Marc’s driveway, I grin. He was sitting on the porch steps, but is coming to stand now that I’m here. He’s simply hot in dark denim jeans and a Rebels hoodie. By the time I turn the car off, grab my purse and my cell phone, and unbuckle my seatbelt, he’s opening the door and holding his hand out for me.
I take it, of course.
“Hey,” he says a moment before he leans down to kiss me. Oh, I missed the sound of his voice. With him being in another country and in different time zones, we were left to text when we could. I missed his kiss too. Marc’s arms tighten around my waist in an effort to keep me standing because with each caress of his tongue, my body sags against him and my knees weaken. Marc pulls away with a chuckle and it takes me a second to open my eyes and break the trance.
“Hey.”
“It’s good to see you.”
“Really good to see you, too.”
He grins. “Where’s your bag? We should go inside for a bit before we leave. I have plans for us.” His hands move up my sides then down to my lower back and down to slip into the back pockets of my slacks. He pulls me tight against him. For it to be in the low forties out here, my body is lit like an inferno from feeling him ready for me already.
“Backseat.”
Marc grabs my bag, takes my hand once again, and then drags me into the house.
“We don’t have too much time.” I hate to be the one to say it, but I don’t want to be late either because what if Scott wonders why we’re late? He knows I’m with Marc and he’s happy for me, but that’s not something I want him wondering. It’s not just because it’s Marc either. I was the same way with Roger. I have a bad habit of blushing once they make the comment about us being late, and then they don’t have to wonder why; it’s obvious.
“We have enough.”
“We have an hour until we’re supposed to be there and they live across town. Plus, I have to change.”
Marc swivels around, so I run into him. He walks toward me, causing me to walk backward until my back hits a wall. My breathing has already quickened. Marc keeps his eyes locked on mine as he unbuttons my blouse. Why am I protesting again?
“Do you want me, Elizabeth?”
God, that voice. That alone is enough to drench my panties. My thighs rub together, my head falling to the side as he starts kissing my neck.
“Elizabeth?” he presses.
“I don’t want to be late.”
“We can do quick now and take our time later.” He lifts his head as he discards my shirt. Those blue eyes seem so bright. I don’t know what I would do without him. I don’t know why that thought wants to appear in my head right now, but I shove it away as I take my bra off. That seems to be what Marc was waiting for because he shoves his body against mine, kisses me hard, and keeps on undressing us.
How can his hands be gliding over my skin like he adores me so much while hips are thrusting into me like he has to fuck me while his mouth is kissing me like he needs me? There’s sensation and emotion overload all at once.
Marc’s mouth moves down my neck and to my shoulder, lips moving as if he’s speaking, but I don’t hear anything. It’s all forgotten as my legs tighten around his waist. My groan turns into a sigh as I orgasm, Marc cursing a second later with his.
My fingers play with his hair. His face is still buried in my neck. His breath is harsh as it hits my skin, and it contradicts with the soft kiss he gives me every few seconds.
God, I’m so happy with him.
My mouth opens with an inhale and immediately closes. Oh my god. I wasn’t...was I...was I about to say I love you? That can’t be right. There’s no way I would’ve wanted to tell him that I love him for the first time after he fucked me against a wall! Who comes to that realization at a time like that?
Marc lifts his head with a frown. “You okay? You’re tense all of a sudden.”
“I’m fine. We should go before we’re late.”
He eyes me for a moment before pulling out of me, setting my feet on the ground, and we go about cleaning up and getting dressed. My hands are trembling from my supposed realization. Maybe it’s just from the sex high. Maybe it’s leftover thoughts from my lunch with Meredith and Sylvia. I don’t know. I’m not ready for any such realizations. I just told Marc I didn’t know if I could see a future with him; how can I be in love with him now!
We’re on the road almost to Scott’s when Marc reaches over, unbuckles my seatbelt, and grabs my thigh to pull me into the middle seat. He hooks an arm around my neck while I buckle up again.
“I’m okay, Marc,” I say before he can ask. “I got lost in my head for a minute is all. It’s nothing to worry about.” I turn my head to kiss his hand and then pull his arm tighter around me. “I’m glad you’re back; I missed you.”
“Of cou
rse you did.”
I laugh. “Just couldn’t help myself, right?”
“Exactly.” He pulls into the driveway and I notice he has a bag of cookies. “For Stella. She’s finally going to like me. I’m so excited.”
I laugh. “I’m happy for you.”
Marc knocks on the door and Scott answers. He says hello, nods at Marc, but gives me a hug.
“Marco!” Stephanie runs up to him and hugs his legs.
“What’s up, little Steph?” He sees Stella standing near the threshold to the kitchen and he says, “Hey, Stella. I hear you like cookies.” He holds up the bag. Stella runs over, and Marc hands the bag over. She opens the bag, sees what kind they are, frowns, and hands them back before running away from him. I can’t help but laugh. Marc turns to me.
“She has a favorite.”
“And you couldn’t have told me that?” he asks with an incredulous tone.
“Sorry.” I cover my mouth to hide my chuckles.
“Can I have them?” Stephanie asks.
“Of course.”
Scott shakes his head at us. “After dinner, Stephanie. Come on. It should be ready.”
“You’re so going to pay for that,” Marc whispers to me as we follow him into the dining room.
Stella is already in her seat. I leave Marc to see if Sylvia needs any help to finish setting the table. I help her with drinks and then we’re all seated and start eating. At first, the twins talk quietly amongst themselves, Marc and Scott are talking about hockey, and Sylvia keeps giving me looks that are making me uneasy.
What is she up to?
“So, Marc, how’s life?”
I snort. She’s so up to something. Marc glances at me curiously, but answers her.
“Life is great. No complaints.”
“What are your plans for our Lizzy?”
“You can’t ask him that!” She can’t seriously want to interrogate him like he’s some stranger I’m bringing home for the first time.
Because It's You (Carolina Rebels Book 2) Page 16