CHAPTER 10
Emmy
"Hey Emmy," Finn said."Seaver and the guys are leaving.You going to come say goodbye?"
I pushed my hands into my pockets and walked in that direction.
The morning light shined through the open doorway.
Sure enough, the Southern U baseball players were doing the guy-hug with my brothers, who promised to come back and visit the team.They filed out one by one.My mom was already out there waiting for them to load into the van.Looked like I was the last to arrive.
Which made sense.
I'd been sitting in my room, thinking until the very last moment.
Seaver stood with his back pressed up against the wall.
Not going to lie.The pose was relaxed and sexy—just like the man.
I blew out a breath.
I could do this.
I would do this.
"Good morning, Emilia," he said."Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah," I said."You?"
"Not a wink."
As I came even with him, Seaver stood to his full height and searched my face.
"I was too busy thinking of someone," he said quietly, so no one else could hear.
"Oh yeah?Was it a girl?What's her name?"
"Emilia."
I shrugged."According to my brothers, it's usually a girl."
Seaver tilted his head."You made a decision yet?"
"I have."
"Will I like it?"
"Not sure," I said with a smile, "but I think it's the way it has to be.For now."
He waited.
"The past couple days have been wonderful.I really am glad you're back."
"But…"
"But," I repeated, looking around to make sure my family wasn't listening.Once I was sure they weren't, I went on, "although I'm attracted to hockey—"
Seaver laughed.
"—and hockey seems to be attracted to me too—"
"Very attracted," he said.
"—I think I need more time."
"I can give you that."
"And space," I said.
"That will be harder."Seaver ran a hand along his neck then shrugged."But I'll do it.For you."
"Then we can see where we are."
"Where you are," he corrected."I already know how I feel, Emilia.That's not going to change."
I shook my head."You may say that now, but it could change."
"Not likely."
"Still, I think me and hockey should try just being friends," I said.
He nodded."Whatever you want."
"Okay, glad that's settled."
I released a long exhale, feeling lighter, relieved, and slightly…melancholy.It wasn't like I'd wanted him to fight me on it, but yeah.I wouldn't have been upset with some disagreement, maybe a little burst of emotion.Oh well.
"But Emilia, you should know, I'm not giving up," Seaver said, and my eyes snapped to his face.He took a step forward so there was only a breath between us."I'll be here when you're ready."
"Ready for what?" I asked.
"Us."
Before I could say another word, Finn said, "Hey, look at that.Somebody's under the mistletoe."
Seaver and I glanced up at the same time.
Laughter followed.
"Tough luck," Dex said."They hate each other."
"Yeah, but it's tradition," Chase said.
"Kiss, kiss," Baylor said.
Archer just watched everything with a tiny, barely-there smile on his face.
And my youngest brother wasn't even trying to hide his glee.
"Traitor," I said to him.
"Better do it," Finn said."I've heard you'll have seven years of bad luck if you don't."
"Wouldn't want that," Seaver said back and stared into my eyes."You okay with this?"
I nodded."If you are."
"Even in front of your brothers?"
"They've seen worse."
Baylor said, "Just kiss already."
Seaver gently placed a hand on my cheek, making my breath catch.
"You should know, I still hate hockey," I said.
"We can work on that," he said.
Our lips met, sealing in a kiss that was full of sparks and magic.It always was with Seaver.I had a feeling it always would be.As his lips moved against mine, I was aware of my family watching, but I couldn't bring myself to care.I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer, breathing him in.Seaver tightened his hold on me, his lips moving against mine, and I felt the kiss in my bones.
Warmth.
So much warmth.
My heart was on fire.
For him.
Because of him.
When we stepped back, there was total silence.
Then Dex said, "What. The. Fuck?"
"Seven years bad luck, man," Seaver said to him with a grin."I couldn't do that to her."
"So you decided to kiss my baby sister like we're not even here?"Dex scoffed."I repeat, what the fuck, man?"
Seaver ignored him and ran his thumb over my swollen bottom lip.Then he leaned in, placed a soft kiss on my forehead, and whispered in my ear, "I meant what I said, Emilia.Whenever you're ready, come find me."
He took a few steps outside then turned back.
"But don't take too long—or I'll have to come find you."
It was a promise.Plain and simple.It was also very presumptuous.But I couldn't deny I loved it.
Finn stepped up next to me, threw an arm around my shoulders, and said, "You going to thank me?"
"No," I replied."You obviously get your meddlesome ways from me."
"Well, you're welcome anyway."
"Same to you."
Finn grinned as he walked away, and I shook my head.
Was my little brother a troublemaker?Absolutely.
But was I really mad at him for it?Not even a little bit.
I watched Seaver go with my heart in my eyes and a smile on my face.
Thanks to him, this really was the best Christmas ever .
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