Page 113 of Rule Breaker
Proud parents were filling up the stands, waving, and taking pictures of the kids.
I glanced at him. “I think this is the most fun I’ve had on the ice since I started playing hockey.”
“I told you,” Kayden teased me.
“Yeah, yeah.” I rubbed my nose with my middle finger.
Then I remembered who might be looking. Shit.
Kayden chuckled and squeezed my waist. “Can’t take you anywhere.”
“And yet, you do,” I responded tartly.
“How about taking you home?” he asked me.
I swallowed hard. “You mean, like, meet the parents, home?”
“Yep.”
“That’s a big step.”
Kayden nodded. “It is. But it doesn’t have to be next week or next month. When you’re ready.”
Could I really do this? What if they didn’t like me? And since when did I care about what other people thought of me? Since Kayden.
“And they’ll love you,” he added. “Because I do.”
I’d never get used to Kayden saying those words.
“Your parents weren’t happy about the whole ‘dating a teammate’ thing back at Christmas, right?” I replied. “What’s changed?”
“What’s our standing?” he asked.
I rolled my eyes. “We’re the top-ranked team.”
Kayden smirked. “Exactly. This is the best we’ve ever played. Our stats speak for themselves. And it’s not just hockey. I’m doing better in school than I have in years, thanks to your support. I’m happy. Really fucking happy. And my parents know it because I talk about you constantly.”
I bit my lower lip. “And what about the future? Going pro?”
“When we get drafted, we’ll deal with it.”
“You’re confident,” I replied, unable to contain a grin. “It’s fucking hot, Kay.”
“Don’t give me that look, bee. Not now.”
“What look?” I teased, licking my lips.
“You know exactly what look.” Kayden shook his head and started skating backward. “Go teach the next generation how to be a goaltender.”
“Never thought I’d be doing that,” I quipped as I skated towards him.
“And yet, here you are.”
“It’s all because of you,” I insisted.
Kayden cocked his head, a lock of his wavy hair falling into his hazel eyes. “It’s us. Together. We make a great team, right?”
I caught up to him and took hold of Kayden’s hand. There was no denying the truth.