Page 90 of Let's Be Forever

I don’t want her to feel pressured to share a room with me, but I want her to know whenever she’s ready, I’ll be ready.

“Okay.” She nods and smiles, but it fades. “One more thing I almost forgot to mention: your parents. I don’t feel comfortable being around them, and I don’t want Rosie anywhere near them.”

“I’ll do whatever you’re comfortable with, but you don’t have to worry about them ever.” I tuck her hair behind her ear, my fingers brushing the earrings that decorate it. “Since the trade, my father hasn’t spoken to me, and my parents haven’t reached out about Rosie. I’ve no doubt they know thatIknow what happened. They’re probably waiting for me to show up, to make a scene in hopes that they can use it against me. That’s why I haven’t gone to see them, why I haven’t reached out.”

Her eyes harden, her lips pinch in a flat line, and fury takes over her face.

“Don’t be angry.” I cup her jaw, rubbing the pad of my thumb on my cheek. “I promise I’m going to talk to them soon. I hadn’t because I was afraid I would hit my dad and yell at my mom. But I will confront them. I just didn’t want to be angry when I did. So please, don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad at you,” she despondently voices. “I’m madforyou.”

“Don’t be.” I can’t stop feeling her skin. “I’m actually not as mad as I used to be. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not over them hiding Rosie from me. I hate that because of them, I missed so much, but you’re both here now. As long as you and I are okay, everything will be okay.”

“It will be.” Her gaze flickers to my lips.

“If you don’t kiss me, I’m going to kiss you,” I tell her, because I’ve been dying to kiss her since she left my room.

“Beg and make it sound desperate,” she purrs, smirking.

“Anna.” I level her with a look and grab her hips, squeezing them. “Meu bem, I need you desperately. I crave your lips on mine. I want to taste them. I need them. Can I have them?”

She wets them, leaning down until her mouth is close to mine. “I missed making you beg.”

“I missed you being mine.” I kiss her hard.

37

SYLAS

“How are you feeling?”is the first thing Harlow asks when I step into her office.

I’d known the trade was inevitable. I wasn’t the same after the injury. I was constantly angry, anxious, and depressed. I left Anna, my agent was shit, my father was teaching me a lesson by giving me the silent treatment, and my mother was trying to set me up again.

So I took out my feelings on the team and everyone around me. The general manager was fed up and decided I needed to go. I wasn’t worth it anymore. Other teams felt that way too. It was Boston that decided to give me a chance.

I didn’t want to come here. I dreaded it.

Who knew coming here would be the greatest thing to happen to me and that I’d be able to say this is the best I’ve felt in a long time.

“Good, actually.” I fold my palms on my lap and shift my gaze to the window. The sun is out, shining brighter than ever, but you can still feel the chill.

“I know these past few weeks have been a lot, but you’ve handled yourself so well. I’m very proud of you.” There’s prideon the surface of her smile. “But please, don’t hesitate to ask for help. If there’s anything I can do, let me know and I’ll get it done.”

I’m so glad I took a chance on Harlow. It’s so refreshing working with her and knowing she genuinely cares about my well-being.

“I know you will. Thank you.” I nod. “And thanks for everything you’ve done online.”

She and the team have been working hard. While there’s only so much you can do to control what people say online, they’re making sure Anna’s name isn’t being dragged and that Rosie’s face isn’t being splashed everywhere.

“I told you we’d be on it. No one is going to control your life online but you. We’re still keeping tabs on your parents. They haven’t released a statement about it, but the moment they post anything, I’ll let you know.”

I know they will eventually. It’s unlike my mother not to, especially if it involves her family. I just don’t know what she’s waiting for.

“Thanks again. You are a godsend.”

It’s her job, but compared to Camden Parsons, she’s fucking incredible.

“No, thank you for taking a chance on me. I promise you won’t regret working with me.”