Page 100 of XOXO, Summer
I hate to begin this note by inflating your ego, but here we are.
You were right.
I’ll give you a minute to enjoy that before I move on.
I’ve grown up feeling like I must care for everyone around me and that accepting help from others makes me weak. I must be strong. I must stand tall and take the hits to protect others from feeling their effects. But what I’ve realized lately is that isn’t the case. I just needed the right person to walk into my life and allow me to set down my shield.
The way you love me is breathtaking. You make me feel safe and supported, cared for and worthy. You love me when it’s inconvenient and messy while loving you makes me feel strong and capable of anything—even being vulnerable.
I’ve been so busy with the renovation that I lost sight of the goal. It wasn’t about making it pretty. It was about making it a home. I picked out the tiles and the faucets with renters in mind, so they would be comfortable. And feel at home. But that’s not what I want.
Well, I want it to be a home. Our home.
It will be our place together, where we can raise Roman and maybe our own children.
Writing that makes me panic a little. Not because I don’t mean it, but because I hope it’s not too forward. But I’ve been a rule follower my whole life. It’s time to break a few for you.
But laws will still be enforced because I learned my lesson with the accident.
I love you, Daniel Sutton. And I want you to know that my heart is yours and my life is with you. I looked around today and realized I have everything I ever wanted, and none of it makes me happy because you’re not here.
You are my home. You are my everything.
XOXO,
Summer
CHAPTER 33
DANIEL
“You want me to show you how to put the biscuit in the basket, Maverick—Oof.”
The words are barely out of my mouth before I’m sliding backward on my ass after being blindsided.What the actual fuck?
“Landers!” Coach yells. “Out. Now.”
Skating away, Landers throws his arms up like he didn’t just body check one of his own teammates. “Come on, Coach. It’s not my fault he can’t take a hit.”
Kovlov circles me once before skidding to a stop. He watches me warily as I get to my feet, as if he’s trying to decide how to handle a pissed-off me.
“He’s a goon on the ice, Mav,” Kovlov says.
I stare at him. “No fucking shit.” Adjusting a glove, I skate toward the bench. “Well, thatgoonis about to get his teeth knocked the fuck out.”
Today started out so well with a FaceTime call with Sunshine. I got to practice early, felt like a million bucks, and then it all went to shit with these new twentysomethingkids the franchise picked up in the offseason. I won’t take their shit. That was Landers’s free hit. He’ll pay a price the next time. They’ll learn that I’m not the one to fuck with. I only wish the learning curve wasn’t so steep.
Slamming my skates into the wall, I glare at Coach. “You going to handle your boy?”
“Working on it.” He moves down the bench, standing in front of me. “Stop antagonizing him.”
“Tell me you’re kidding.”
“I didn’t stutter, Sutton.”
My jaw dusts the ground. “It’smy fault? I’ve done a lot of shit, for sure, but I’ve never taken outa teammate.”
Coach dips his chin, glaring at me. “Oh, that’s rich, coming from you.”
