Page 204 of Risking the Pucking Defense

She’s really here.

I swallow nervously as reality hits.

She might have come, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the afternoon is going to be how I want it to be.

Somehow, I’m going to have to stop myself from staring at her, something that I’m already failing at. And I’m not going to be able to touch her.

Fuck. She might be here, but this is going to be fucking torture.

My teeth clench, and beneath the water, my hands curl into fists.

But then…

“Hayden?” Her voice washes over me, making my shoulders relax and the knot in my stomach loosen a little.

“Yeah, baby?”

Fuck. Fuck.

I squeeze my eyes closed as I mentally kick myself. She’s been here literally thirty seconds, and I’m fucking this all up already. I’m going to be single again before I leave Coach’s house.

I swear, every set of eyes in this backyard drills into me. My skin burns with their attention. But when my eyes open, I don’t look at any of them. My attention is purely focused on my girl.

But to my surprise, she doesn’t look angry or annoyed by my slip. In fact, she actually looks a little amused. Her eyes are twinkling, and she has the smallest of smiles on her lips.

Then she lifts her hand as if she wants me to climb out of the pool and take it in front of the entire LA Vipers team and their loved ones.

I frown, confused as fuck, but her smile widens before she says, “It’s time.”

My heart practically trips over itself.

Is she…does she…fuck.

I’m out of the pool faster than I thought possible and I race toward her, soaking fucking wet but happier than I think I’ve ever been.

I don’t hold back. Instead, I slip my hand into hers and tug her closer.

There’s barely an inch between us when I drop my lips to her ear. “What are you doing, Hails?”

“Standing up for what I want.”

Oh. My. God.

“And that’s you, just in case it wasn’t already obvious.”

I pull back to look at her, my heart like a runaway train in my chest.

“I’m sorry I bailed on coming with you. I was scared and…well, stupid.”

With one hand locked in hers, I lift the other and cup her cheek, brushing her soft skin with my thumb.

“You’re not stupid, baby. You’re trying to protect your heart, and I understand that. But you don’t have to. I can protect it enough for both of us.”

She nods, her eyes filling with tears.

“Is this it? Are we really doing this?” I whisper, still unable to believe this is happening.

“Kiss me,” she demands, her voice quiet but determined, and I’m powerless but to do as I’m told.