Page 92 of Don't Let Me Break
He smiles, enjoying the shift in our conversation a shit-ton more than I am.
“I already told you I deleted them,” he reminds me.
“What about all of your other options? What if you get bored, or if I wind up having another seizure, or––”
“You think I’ll break up with you if you have a seizure?” he demands, his amusement dissipating.
“I don’t know?” I shrug. A prickling sensation hits behind my eyes, but I blink it away. “It wouldn’t be the first time, Mack.”
His touch is gentle as he cups my cheek, his light eyes practically swallowing me whole.
Blue. Blue. Blue.
“I’m not like the boys you’ve dated in the past, Kate. I’m not gonna run at the drop of a hat or when things get messy.” He runs his thumb along my skin. “I promise you, Porcupine. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Can you promise me you won’t let your ex get in the way too?” I practically beg, leaning into his touch.
“I promise.”
The words ease the ache in my chest as I shove aside the tiny voice inside my head. The one telling me I can’t handle any more drama. The one telling me Macklin will be bored by the end of the week, and this conversation will be a moot point anyway. The one telling me I’m opening myself up to heartbreak, and it’s only a matter of time before Mack realizes I’m not worth the effort. Not worth the fallout.
But I hate that voice. I hate how long I’ve lived with it. I hate how many times it’s made me feel like I’m worthless. Because when I’m with Mack? I don’t feel so worthless anymore. In fact, I’m starting to feel pretty damn valuable.
Closing my eyes, I nod. “Okay, Mack.”
His lips are on mine in an instant. Kissing me. Making my toes curl.
It isn’t soft and sweet like our first kiss. It’s needier. More desperate. Like he’s trying to prove a point. Trying to erase his ex from my memory. Trying to tattoo himself on me.
When he pulls away, he presses his forehead to mine and rasps, “Come to the game with me.”
I shake my head. “What?”
“I’m on standby in case anyone gets hurt. Come with me. Hang out with me. Watch the game from the tunnel with me.”
“And if someonedoesget hurt?” I counter dryly.
“You can catch a ride with Ash or Blake. Theo said they’ll be at the game, too, when I asked if he’d seen you lately.”
I can’t help the smile as it spreads across my face. “You asked him about me?”
“Of course, I asked him about you.” He lifts my hand and kisses the back of it again. “Let’s go.”
28
KATE
“Thanks again, Russ,” Macklin says to an old guy with a red and black LAU lanyard wrapped around his neck. I think he’s the athletic trainer or something. Honestly, I was too distracted by the players all decked out in their gear in the locker room to fully pay attention when Macklin introduced us. Still, the guy was nice enough to let me shadow Mack for the evening, so I’m not complaining.
With his hand pressed to my lower back, Macklin follows behind the players and guides me down the tunnel to the ice. His partner, Felix, is here as well. He’s giving us a wide berth, though. I’m not sure if it’s because he isn’t close with Mack or because I’m here, and Mack asked for a little more space than usual. Regardless, he’s texting someone, completely oblivious to the chaos around us.
And Professor Buchanan is here. I’m not sure why. We haven’t really spoken, but I assume it has something to do with his latest endeavor. The guy comes from money and power and has shifted his occupation on more than one occasion. He’s LAU alumni and worked as the CEO of B-Tech Enterprises. It’s a major software company his father started when he was a kid. When Henry Buchanan grew bored with his role as CEO, he passed it to his brother-in-law, Jake Jensen, and pursued his doctorate, choosing to become a professor instead. And now? Apparently, he’s decided owning a hockey team in the NHL is the next item on his bucket list. The Lions will start playing next season, and the community is stoked to have a local NHL team they can cheer for. Now that I think about it, Buchanan’s probably here to observe two of the key players on LAU’s team who will be playing professionally for him next year. Theo and Colt signed their contracts a while back. It’s crazy. Yet kind of awesome too.
I tear my gaze from the suave billionaire hidden in the shadows and turn to the arena.
It’s packed with fans. LAU’s red, black, and white school colors brand the crowds’ faces, their clothes, and the poster boards peppered throughout the seating. Most of which have Theo’s and Colt’s numbers scrawled across them in thick, bold fonts.
It’s insane. And loud. And chaotic.