Chapter 22 #2
“Yeah, well, the more I reflected on us and what happened, the more I wanted to give you something special. I figured this was the best way for me to show you I’m all in here, Ronan.
” He turned his head as I lifted mine, and our gazes met.
“I’m not afraid of anything we can have together. In fact, I want it all.”
As my heart filled with warmth, a grin teased my lips. “We can have it all, Evan. And we will.” Would he move in with me, or was it too soon? “Having you here when I get home from the studio would be nice.” My grin widened. “And I have a three-car garage, but I only have one car, so…”
His eyes widened. “Ronan Vale, are you asking me to move into this incredible house of yours?”
“I am.” I placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Only if you’re ready for it.” My dick slipped from his body. “Damn it, bad timing.” I snickered.
“Oops.” He dropped his legs and smiled at me. “I’m ready. My lease expires at the end of June, but hell, I’m here more than I am at my apartment.” His brows lifted. “You’ve never even seen my apartment.”
“Nope, I suppose I’ll have to see it, so I can assess the furniture you have.” I’d have to let him bring some of his things here and rearrange, but it was a small price to pay for having him here all the time.
“It’s cheap shit. I’ll probably bring most of it to Goodwill.” He squirmed. “Shit, I’m leaking. Get up.”
I rolled off him. “Shower?” We could make more plans while I soaped him up.
“Yep.” He rose from the bed and marched toward the bathroom. “Come on.” He waved at me.
“I’m coming.” My heart had never been so full.
The next evening, I sat in a luxury suite at the game, wearing one of Evan’s jerseys, with Drew on one side of me and Jax on the other.
Evan had remained for dinner last night, and I’d informed him about what Lily had found regarding Jeff and his accomplice.
He felt disappointed in Jeff but supported my decision to cut him off for good.
We had plenty of found family around us.
The second intermission was concluding, and the third period would start soon. Evan had played his heart out, hitting players and helping to defend the goal. The Coyotes held a slim one-point lead. The game had been close. Florida was proving to be a hard team to beat.
The Jumbotron had shown us several times, and each time the crowd had cheered. Being supported felt great.
“Here they come.” Drew, eating a burger wrapped in foil, pointed at the rink. “There’s your boy.”
“My man, Drew. He’s a man, not a boy.” I scoffed a laugh and sipped a beer from a plastic cup.
Evan sat on the bench next to Laine, his D-line partner, while Mason Hopkins skated to center ice with Jett Jarvis and Volkov.
“I can’t wait to meet these guys when the playoffs are over.” While they focused on strict routines, we had booked studio time, so I’d have to wait until the series was over.
“Yeah, me too.” Jax threw me a smirk. “Why don’t you have a big, blowout party at your fancy house when it’s over?” He drank some beer. “And invite me.”
“I’ll think about it.” I’d never done that. My home was my sanctuary away from the parties. I watched the shift change and Evan hopping over the boards with Laine.
Evan skated toward Ace and the net, glancing at our suite.
I waved, and he nodded at me and smiled. My heart fluttered with warmth. God, I loved that man.
At the face-off, Mason scrambled with the Florida center and nabbed the puck. All the players raced toward Florida’s defensive zone.
The puck shot from Hopkins to Jarvis, and then a Florida player knocked Evan on his ass.
“That’s a penalty. Evan didn’t have the puck.” Drew tsked.
Evan hopped up, and the Florida player blew by him, yelling and sneering.
“Oh, shit.” Jax shimmied to the edge of his seat. “Fight!” He pumped his fist.
“What? No.” I didn’t want Evan’s stunning face getting injured. I stood and stepped closer to the edge.
Evan threw his stick and gloves onto the ice while the Florida player did the same.
“Fight, fight, fight!” Jax barked a laugh. “Get him, Crosby.”
“No, Jax, shut up.” I gripped my beer tighter. What was the fight about?
“Dude, relax. I saw Evan take down Jeff. He’s got this.” Drew pulled on my jersey.
Both players tossed their helmets off.
“But…” Fucking hell. I drank more beer.
Evan skated around the Florida player for a moment, and then the Florida player dove in, snatching Evan’s collar and throwing punches at him.
With quick reflexes, Evan punched back, landing a hit on the other player’s jaw.
Hopkins was next to throw his gloves and he sped toward the fight.
As Hopkins reached them, the Florida player fell backward with Evan on top of him.
Evan wrapped his arms around the other player’s head as they hit the ice. Evan spoke while they rested briefly, prompting a smile from the other player.
“Dude, what a sport! Evan kept that guy’s skull from cracking on the ice.” Drew shook his head. “He’s something. Few guys would do that.”
“That’s my man.” As my chest swelled, I drank my beer. Yeah, I’d picked the right guy to fall in love with.
The refs blew whistles, and Evan skated into the penalty box along with the Florida player.