54. Hunter

My body begged for sleep, eyelids growing heavier with each passing second.

Though I could feel the energy buzzing from the man next to me, telling me he was ready for anything but. Despite molding his body to mine, creating a perfect blend of soft skin and hard edges, there was a rigid edge that told me his mind was racing.

"Baby? Your thoughts are loud enough to be broadcasted across the ESPN network. Care to share?"

As he propped himself up on my chest, I couldn't help but notice a glint in his eye—a sort of youthful excitement that hadn't graced us nearly enough. His tousled hair sticking out in every direction should have been amusing but on him, it came off as oddly charming.

"How do you feel about spending summer and autumn with me?"

I gazed at him, attempting to read between the lines. He knew I was planning to spend the fall training and as for the summer, I wasn't sure how long I'd need to get set up in Vancouver.

"Baby…" I coaxed, trying to get him to explain further.

"Well, I can help you set yourself up over the summer. I love Canada and well, I was hoping I could stay with you when I go to the autumn training camp for Vancouver… Then there's a chance I could sign a contract and…"

Tyler kept speaking but anything else he said blurred together. Amidst the astonishment, I recognized the moment to curb my baby's stream of plans and the looming meticulous details. I ate his words as I sealed my lips against his, excitement coursing through my veins. I searched those pretty eyes for any chance of a lie

"Is this true? Don't fuck with me, baby."

His smile was like lightning shooting through my veins. "Vancouver is in a rebuilding year; they need some rookies. The training camp is where they're choosing. Bellamy said there might be a slot on the farm team if not. I have to prove my—"

I cut him off again with another kiss. My hands found their way into his hair, and my tongue tangled with his, savoring the fresh peppermint and my man.

"Fuck, I don't think I've ever been so happy in my life," I mumbled against his lips.

That was what I wanted to do the moment I scored that goal, and it was taken from me with one hit. Every hardship we'd faced led up to that moment. The version of me from the start of the season would think it was all too good to be true. But after months of waiting for the puck to drop, I learned that he would be right there to give it back to me. Somehow, I knew, no matter where we'd be, he would always come back to me. Our future wasn't promised with trades to worry about, but I had just been promised more time with him—however long it was

The smile of his lips against mine brought tears to my eyes. "Me neither Boston. You smashed into my life and made it complete. I selfishly want it all, Boston, but with you. I just want it all with you."

Our lips spoke the rest of the words until the excitement turned into a comforting silence. "One more time" no longer meant treating each time like it was our last. It meant that we simply couldn't get enough, and we planned to have each other time and time again.