70. Chapter 70
Jake
Where is she?
Kayla text to let me know Lottie was driving herself to the game, and then text again to let me know—with minutes before I need to take to the ice for warmups—she’s still not here.
I knew there was something up earlier; she was tense when I touched her and distant when we watched our show. I feel like she’s slipping away, and I don’t know why.
There’s no time to think about this now, I need to get my head on straight, I can’t have a loss on my shoulders.
Leaving the locker room, still with no word on Lottie, I go to start my warmup. We’re passing the puck, stretching, practicing our shots with the goalie when a commotion catches my attention and the rest of the team’s.
It’s her. Banging on the plexiglass, calling my name. I immediately abandon what I’m doing and race over to her.
“Lottie, baby. What’re you doing? Where have you been?” I ask, concerned. I’m checking her over to see if there is anything wrong, but all I see is the biggest, brightest smile adorning her beautiful face.
“I overheard you on the phone this morning. About you being traded to Jackson.”
Shit, she overheard that? No wonder she’s been weird all day.
“Sweetheart, it’s not-” I don’t get a chance to finish.
“I’ll come with you, J. I-I love you.”
“Say that again.” My heart is going like the clappers right now. I need to hear her say it again.
“I love you, Jake. I read all my adult journals, and one thing was consistent and that was my feelings for you. You’re my home, J.
It’s not a place, it’s a feeling, and it’s a feeling you give me.
So, if you’re being traded, then I’m coming too,” she quickly gets her words out before taking a deep breath.
I rest my forehead against the plexiglass, and she does the same. “God, I love you, Lottie, but I’m not being traded.”
“Y-you’re not?”
“Nope.” I pop the P and grin at her.
She looks so confused. “I don’t understand.”
“My agent was calling to tell me I’m not up for selection for the draft as the Seals want to extend my contract. I’m not going anywhere. But I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear you say you love me.”
“I should have told you sooner. I knew I felt it, but it was like those journals were the final puzzle piece, you know?”
“I get it, baby, and I just want you to know I don’t care if you don’t ever remember the past. I loved you then, I love you now, and I’ll love you in the future too. I’ll never stop. You’re it for me, Lottie. Always have been, always will be.”
Her eyes glaze over, her hand reaches out to the glass, and I cover it with mine. “Go and take a seat, gorgeous, I’ve got a game to win,” I say with a wink.
She bites her lip and nods, going off to find her seat with the girls. Even if we don’t win today, I’m still counting it because I got the girl of my dreams and I am never letting her go.
After another shutout, we’re sitting pretty at the top of the division. I took a pretty heavy hit in the last period and my ribs are tender—no doubt a big old bruise is forming as we speak.
As soon as I’m dressed and press is done, I go and meet my friends and family, who are waiting for me.
I immediately cross to Lottie and pick her up in my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist, and kiss her. I don’t care who’s watching. I need everyone and their mother to know this is my girl and I want—no, need—everyone to know it.
“Fuck, I love you, Lottie.”
“I love you too, superstar.”
After a night of celebrations, both with my teammates and privately in bed with Lottie, we’re walking Bella along the beach, hand in hand.
If you had told me at the beginning of the year this is where I’d be, I wouldn’t have believed you. But I couldn’t be happier to be proved wrong.
We’ve spent most of the day cuddled together in bed, looking through the postcards I sent Lottie and reminiscing about the trips I went on. I vow to take her to see all the places she wants to go—the world is our oyster.
We’re now standing watching the sunset, overlooking the ocean just like in the picture Lottie made me, and I take my chance.
“Let’s move in together.”
“Ok,” is all she says.
Ok? No fight about it, how it’s too soon? “Did you hear what I just said?”
“I did, and I agree. We practically live together already, J, so why not make it official?”
Picking her up, I twirl her in the air and bring my lips to her. Bella’s barking, wanting to join in the celebrations, and everything is just as it should be.
“I’m so happy right now, I could burst,” she says.
“I can’t believe after the year we’ve had, we’re finally together. I never thought we’d end up here”
She shrugs her shoulders. “I don’t know about that. I think we would have gotten here eventually. Love always finds a way, and a love like ours is one that’s forever.”
I’m calling it now: before the year is up, this girl will have a ring on her finger.
THE END