Page 125 of Sticks and Stones (Shadow Valley U)
With a little nudge from Evan. But he was right.
And watching her look around again, this time with a more analytical expression, has my heart thumping harder against my ribs.
“Our space,” she repeats.
“Exactly.”
I get a true smile from her now. The darkness that’s been lingering lifts, and she jumps into my arms. I catch her automatically, swinging her around with a burst of laughter.
“Thank you,” she whispers in my ear. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I carry her through the living room and into the kitchen, setting her ass on the edge of the counter. I trail my fingers down her sides to the waistband of her leggings. “Let me show you how much…”
EPILOGUE
WREN
I sitin the stands and wait for his text, like always.
It’s been more than enough time—five years, to be exact—and I still have some lingering PTSD when it comes to Stone’sI’llscoreoneforyou,babytexts.
The last time he missed sending a text like that, my father had him tied up and held captive in a nasty, meth-cooking trailer.
To say that I’m jaded is an understatement.
My phone buzzes, and my heart winds up.
Stone
I’ll score one for you, baby.
I smile and send my usual response.
You’ll score later too. ;)
He doesn’t text back, but I know he is sporting his coy smirk.
A sneaky little grin slides onto my face, and Ally nudges my shoulder.
“You two are ridiculous.Still.”
My smile deepens.
Ally and I went in different directions after graduating. I went on to graduate school to further my love of biochemistry, whereas she said she’d rather stick a pencil in her eyeball than do any more schooling after her BA.
I have a goal of being a lead chemist in the development of vaccines, something that Stone and the rest of my friends and family support.
No matter where Stone’s NHL career has taken him, we always find a way to be the constant in each other’s lives, which is something I have never really had until him.
“There they are,” Ally says.
We stand and wear our gold and black with dignity.
I clap and scream for Stone and continue to do so throughout the entire first period. He’s playing like he’s distracted, and my stomach knots each time his stick slips against the ice.
“I have no idea what’s wrong with him,” I murmur.
Ally tries to come up with excuses, but I mostly shoot her down. It isn’t until the Guardians are nearing the end of the second period that Stone ends up in the sin bin for knocking the opposing player on his ass.