Chapter eight Aubrey #3
I’ve never been much of a partier, and I always feel a bit out of place coming to these things.
Most coaches hang out with the coaching staff or their own friends on their time off, not party with their players.
But I’ve always been closer to the players than the staff members; I guess that’s just the hockey player that still lives inside of me.
If I hadn’t had my accident all those years ago, I would probably still be playing or just retiring.
So when my team invites me to their parties or events, I show up to most, even if it’s weird. But I never get wasted with them or anything like that, that wouldn’t be very professional of me. And besides, I’m not much of a drinker.
Jessie locks up his home as we step outside and wander across the street. Seconds after ringing the doorbell, the door flies open, and we are greeted by Cecilia. “Hey, Coach. Hi, Jessie. Come in.” She waves us in and steps aside.
“Ah, my favorite petite brunette.” Jessie grins widely at her and kisses her cheek. Jessie’s always been a big flirt with the ladies, but with these ones it’s harmless.
“Back off, Storm.” Silas shows up behind her and pulls his wife away from Jessie before turning his attention to me. “Hey, Coach. Happy you could join us this year.”
“As if he’d want to be anywhere else,” Jessie mutters under his breath. I rib him with my elbow and he laughs.
Cecilia smiles knowingly. “Yes, well, I’m sure you’ll be enjoying your night. You should see the entertainment room. The view is quite… angelic.” She winks and leaves with her husband, rejoining the party. But I got the hidden message—she was letting me know where Aubrey is.
We make our way to the entertainment room, and I prepare myself to sweep the room, but there’s no need. I spot my girl instantly. Her back is to me as she talks with Veronica, so I take the moment to drink her in.
Her hair has been pulled back at the sides into braids that tie together behind her head in a fancy way, the rest of her hair hanging loose in wavy curls.
She’s wearing a sparkly long-sleeved silver dress that’s open at the back and hugs her perfect curves, ending a few inches above her knees, with a pair of black stilettos on her feet.
Jesus, she’s mesmerizing.
I look around the room, not spotting her brother or his wife anywhere and decide to take my chance. Jessie and I walk over to them, and once she’s beside me, I place my hand on her lower back.
She shivers at my touch and looks up with sparkles in her eyes. “Shane,” she whispers my name before looking around the room quickly.
Her brother might not be around right now, but there are a few other players that don’t know about our relationship yet, so I still can’t kiss her despite desperately wanting to. A kiss on the cheek will have to do for now.
Placing my other hand on her hip, I turn her slightly toward me.
Her hands automatically come up to my chest as I lean in and press my lips to the corner of her lips.
Happy mistakes if anyone notices. To everyone around, it simply looks like I’m saying hello, greeting a friend, but to us, this means so much more.
“Hi, Angel. You look exceedingly magnificent.”
“Thank you, and you look as handsome as always.” She tilts her head to the side, kissing me in the same place I just kissed her.
When we reluctantly pull away, her face is flushed, and she has this dreamy look in her eyes. All I can do is stare at her as my heart skips a beat and my stomach does somersaults, my mind drawing up our future, wedding bells, babies, my home filled with her things. Our home.
Jessie clears his throat at our side. “Incoming,” he says in a hushed voice. I quickly take a step away from Aubrey as my daydream comes to an end.
“Hey, Coach.” Greyson comes up to us, holding his wife’s hand. “You keeping this one in line around my sister?” He nods his head toward my friend.
Jessie snorts and I give him a glare, telling him to shut up. Deciding to ignore Greyson’s comment, I smile at the newly married couple. “Congratulations again, guys, it was a beautiful wedding. When are you planning the honeymoon?”
“Oh, not right away. With the babies coming soon, I think we’ll put the honeymoon on hold for the first year.” Emma smiles at her husband as she places a hand over her belly.
We chitchat for a little while, and eventually they wander off to see other people.
Jessie goes off to mingle with whichever single woman he can find while I chat with a few of my players but never wander too far away from my Angel, keeping her in my line of sight and catching her eyes every few minutes with a smile.
Finally, the five-minute warning is given, and everyone gathers around in the open-spaced living room.
I stand at the back of the group as does Aubrey.
She peers at me from the side; her thumbnail stuck between her teeth as the nerves begin to surface.
There’s no way I can’t kiss her at midnight, I just can’t.
When one minute is left on the clock, I begin to take sidesteps toward her, making sure no one is paying attention. At fifteen seconds, I’m at her side, taking her hand in mine. “Ready to make a run for it?” I ask quickly.
“Yes,” she answers without missing a beat, a blush settling on her cheeks.
“TEN!” everyone shouts as they turn to each other, preparing for their kiss. I tighten my hold on Aubrey’s hand and turn for the closest hallway.
“NINE!... EIGHT!” I pull the first door open, but it’s a linen closet and not big enough to fit us. Cursing myself, I quickly shut it and rush off to the next door.
“SEVEN!... SIX!” Practically ripping the door off its hinges, I pull her into the room and smack the door closed behind us.
“FIVE!... FOUR!... THREE!” I press her back against the door, holding her face between my palms, my lips a hair’s breadth away from hers, my body becoming one with hers.
“Two…” I whisper, caressing her lips with mine.
“One…” she breathes against me as I kiss her with everything I have, a promise of a lifetime filled with love through every kiss.
When we have no choice but to come up for air, I rest my forehead against hers, needing a moment to catch my breath and stop my head from spinning. “Happy New Year, Aubrey.”
“Happy New Year, Shane.”