Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 50801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
My girl.
The words echo through my mind, settling in my heart.
There’s an instinct to not even silently call her that, but I can't help it. The last couple months have been a fucking dream, and she's mine in every way that matters.
It doesn't matter if we've labeled it or not, I can feel the shift, the subtle changes in our behavior, the strengthening and deepening of our friendship into something much more than just satisfying urges.
Does that mean I'm going to press her about it? Hell no.
Does it mean my heart is fuller than it's ever been? Definitely.
There's no way in hell I'm going to do anything to risk that.
So as much as I want to scream from the rooftops that Monroe is the love of my life and I'm never letting her go, I keep that shit to myself and instead relish the way she throws her arms around my neck as I exit the locker room, the force of her impact almost enough to knock me backward, but I catch her easily enough.
“Congrats!” she says, releasing me so she can smile up at me. “You guys were on fire!” she continues as we move out of the way of the locker room door, lingering in the space just beside it.
“Hell yeah, we were,” Lawson says as he exits, and Blakely gives him an equally enthusiastic greeting.
Nash follows right behind him, Reese shrugging. “You played all right,” she says before he growls at her and scoops her off her feet, walking with her down the hallway as she giggles.
“Are you heading to The Queen’s Rum?” Blakely calls after her.
“We'll be there,” Reese says through her giggles as Nash continues to walk with her over his shoulder.
I turn my attention back to Monroe, unable to shake off the effects of how right everything feels. My best friends and their girls, me and mine. The only thing that could make this better is if I knew with one hundred percent certainty where Monroe and I stand. But seeing as that is only a small worry, I really can’t deny how damn lucky I am.
“What about you two?” Lawson asks, smacking me on my arm. “You're going to meet us there?”
I flash a silent question at Monroe, who looks up at me with an of course look.
“I just didn't know if you wanted to go or not,” I say. “I know you had a lot of body work to do before we took the ice.” I answer the silent question from her.
“I’m definitely wiped out,” she says. “I swear sometimes you Badgers are the biggest babies,” she teases. “But I’m down to celebrate this win!”
“Do you guys even realize you do that?” Lawson asks, looking between us. “You answer each other as if one of you asked a question when you didn't? It's a little creepy,” he teases.
“You get used to it,” Blakely assures him, flashing me a wink and then smiling suggestively at Monroe, who gives her just as much of a chiding look that screams for her friend to be quiet.
I pretend not to have interpreted all that.
What I wouldn't give to know what's going on in Monroe’s mind.
“Let's head out,” Monroe says, looping her arm through mine and practically dragging me down the hallway toward the players’ lot. “I'm starving. And we have to talk about that one Star. He seemed like he was out for blood.” She shakes her head. “I was about to have to jump on the ice and put him in his place,” she continues, sending all four of us laughing as we head to our cars.
Monroe slides into the passenger seat of my car, and I head toward The Queen’s Rum to celebrate a win with my friends, teammates, and the only girl I've ever loved.
Life doesn't get any better than this.
CHAPTER 16
MONROE
“Can I officially call you my sister-in-law yet or...?” Hadley teases Reese where they sit next to each other across from me and Blakely at our regular table at The Blue Ox.
The four of us were finally able to align schedules for a much-needed girls’ brunch.
Reese laughs, that super in love smile she wears when she's thinking about Nash shaping her lips. “I already think of you as a sister,” she says to Hadley. “No need to put that enormous pressure on it.”
Blakely and I share a look that screams she can tease all she wants but we know that if Nash asked her, she'd say yes tomorrow. But I more than anyone understand taking things slow. And understand not wanting to make final decisions about your future like that.
“I guess you're right,” Hadley says, her and Reese laughing as they playfully nudge each other before getting back to their brunch spread.
I take another bite of my sandwich, feeling that warm contentment that comes from being surrounded by your best girlfriends.