Page 134 of A Little Secret

“Always. You know I refuse to miss any home games, so you’re kind of stuck with me.” She pats my chest. “Sorry, big boy. Besides, who else is going to cheer you on and keep the puck bunnies from encroaching on my territory?”

“You don’t need to worry about puck bunnies.”

“I know I don’t. Although, I do like bragging that you’re mine.”

My grin grows. “Is that why you ordered an LAU jersey with my name?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“I think I like my name on you.”

“I thought you might.”

“It matches Dylan’s,” I add, mentioning the jersey Reeves asked Fin to make when the puck bunnies were giving Reeves a little too much attention for her liking. Now, the girl is almost never seen without it at the games. Pretty sure it’s the highlight for Reeves each and every time we hit the ice. Now that I’ve seen Finley wearing one with my name, I get it.

When I caught Fin in it the first time, I had to resist the urge to storm up to her seat and kiss the shit out of her in front of everyone. Somehow, I managed to keep the urge in check, though I did ask Dreggs if he liked my girl’s new jersey. Thankfully, the asshole only laughed it off, telling me I was a lucky guy. And fuck, if it isn’t the truth.

Finley’s eyes dance with mirth as she toys with the hair on the back of my neck, causing goosebumps to break out along my spine. “I got the same guy to make this one for me. Now, Dylan and I are twins. Well, except hers says Oliver, and mine says Thorne, but you get it.”

“Yeah, I get it.” I laugh, leaning closer and planting another kiss against the tip of her nose. “What do you say we stay in tonight instead of meeting everyone at SeaBird?”

“You sure you don’t want to celebrate?” she questions.

“I can think of other ways we can celebrate,” I offer.

The corner of her mouth lifts. “Oh, really?”

My hands find her waist, and I sway us back and forth. “Maybe.”

“Again with the no music,” she teases.

“Just wait ‘til I have you moaning.” I nip at her plump lips, the taste of strawberry teasing me, when a loud knock echoes from the front door. With a frown, I guide us into the hallway and glance toward the front of the house.

My stomach bottoms out.

Through the window framing the front door, I see the one and fucking only Drew standing on the doorstep, holding a bouquet of red fucking roses.

What the hell is he doing here?

Finley peeks around me, her eyes bulging. “What the hell is he doing here?”

“Excellent question.” I stride toward the front. “I’ll find out.”

“Wait.” Reaching for my arm, Finley pulls me to a stop. Her fingers drag across my lower back as she steps past me, heading for the door.

“Fin,” I warn.

“Give me two minutes.”

She reaches for the door handle, and I watch helplessly from behind her. There are moments. Moments that feel like a lifetime. Moments where you can feel yourself at a crossroads. Hell, you can see it. The inevitable fork, giving you two paths forward. And this? This one feels like itmight lead to a cliff, and it’s up to Finley to choose whether we go down it or not.

I’ve felt helpless before. More times than I can count. But right now? Right now, I’ve never felt more helpless in my life, and there’s nothing in the world I can do to stop it.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

FINLEY

My jaw feels unhinged. Like it might literally tumble to the ground, and my ability to speak will be gone forever. But seriously.