26. Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

ETHAN

W e're mid-practice before the game against the Washington Guardians, but all I can manage is skating around and occasionally making a pass.

"Matthews!" the coach yells from the sidelines, his face red. "What's wrong with you?!"

Quickly, I skate over to him. The thoughts on my mind shouldn't affect my game, but all I can think about is Mia and the ‘something important' she has to say.

"Sorry, Coach!" I say, truly apologetic. "My head is not in it today."

The coach fumes. He's not usually angry. I've had far more ill-tempered coaches, but he doesn't tolerate excuses.

"I suppose you want me to release you from practice?" he asks, almost spitting fire.

"No!" I wave my hand, trying to calm him. "I'm just… I mean…"

"You're starting on the bench again," he says, crossing his arms. "Jameson did a good job when you were out. Maybe it's his turn to be the starting center."

That hurts my ego. Jameson taking my spot was understandable when I was injured, but I refuse to be benched while I'm in perfect health.

"Shove the bench up your ass!" I snap, throwing my stick down and heading to the locker room without looking back.

The coach keeps yelling, but I ignore him. He doesn't come after me, which is a relief, so I just change and call Mia. I need to hear her voice urgently.

I'm back into civilian clothes when I take back my phone and dial Mia's number — I could message, but I need to hear her voice, and I need to hear it urgently.

"Shouldn't you be in practice?" It's the first thing she says, sounding worried and upset.

"Oh, not you too…" I groan, slapping the palm of my hand against my forehead.

"What happened, Ethan?" Mia asks, stern but loving.

"Coach and I are both having bad days," I confess. "I don't think I'm playing in the next game."

"Oh, that's too bad…" Her voice softens. "So, you aren't going to practice today?"

"No," I tilt my head back and sigh. "Are you busy? I'd love to take you out."

"Hmm," Mia pauses to think. "I should be free in about an hour, but you know my schedule is hectic."

"All I need is one hour," I say, raising one finger as if she can see me. "I have something important to tell you."

She doesn't tease me because my tone is serious.

"I thought I carried enough mystery for both of us," she says, sounding confused.

"I'll break the mystery once we meet in person," I reply. "Where are you now?"

"Downtown, talking to the caterers," she answers, her voice, her voice sounding lighter as she answers.

"Text me your location, and I'll pick you up," I reply. "Just keep an eye out for a silver Audi. I'll be waiting for you in it. It's my current rental."

"Okay," she says, with a smile in her voice that melts my heart and drives me crazy to see it in person.

But she might not like what I have to say. I'm determined that she leaves Washington, DC, as my girlfriend.

I wait in front of the catering place for around forty minutes, listening to the first radio station that came on and tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, nervous and anxious.

When she finally comes out, I honk the horn to call for her attention. Mia smiles that beautiful smile that always leaves me breathless, no matter the circumstance.

She opens the passenger door and leans in to kiss me, but instead of settling in her seat and putting on the seatbelt, she cups my face in her hands and asks urgently, "What do you have to tell me?"

"Chill!" I back off, chuckling at to her intensity. "Buckle up, there's a place I want to take you before I tell you."

"You're not breaking up with me, are you?" she asks, her voice filled with suspicion.

"We can't break up," I reply, turning on the engine and backing away from the curb. "We're not even boyfriend and girlfriend yet."

She gives me a thousand-yard stare and remains silent all the way to the Lincoln Memorial, where I park the car and lead us toward the Reflecting Pool.

"Why this place?" She breaks the silence, holding my hand tightly.

"I like it here," I say, eyes fixed across the water. "Things happen here that move the nation. There's always a sense of change in the air. And it's time for a change, Mia."

I turn to face her, kissing her hand and looking into her eyes.

"Mia…" I begin. "I know you said you're not ready and that you have something to tell me first, but you know what? I don't want to know what you have to say."

"Oh, yes you do!" she insists.

"No, I don't. If it's keeping us apart, let's just ignore it and get straight to the point," I take a deep breath. What I will say next will make or break our relationship, so I better make it count. "I love you, Mia. I want you to be my girlfriend, and I don't want anything to come between us."

She looks at me. Her eyes are all I can see, and even her lashes tremble as her eyes fill with tears. Mia caresses my face, and I lean into her touch, wanting this moment to be frozen in time.

"Ethan…" her voice is shaky and low. "I think I love you too."

"Just ‘think'?" I tease, placing my hand on hers.

"Don't push it, mister!" she says. "But what I meant is… I think you need to hear what I have to say first."

"I already told you I don't care," I whisper against her lips.

"But you might not want to be my boyfriend after you hear it…" Her speech wavers, and my head spins.

"Is it something bad?" I ask, feeling confused.

Mia shakes her head.

"Then why don't you tell me now?" I plead, my curiosity killing me.

She places both hands over her stomach and shakes her head, eyes downcast. "I just need a little more time. Please."

Now I'm the one holding tightly to her hands, and after kissing her forehead, I say, "If you say yes to being my girlfriend, I can wait as long as you need me to."

Mia finally looks up at me, her gaze determined, an enticing smile on her face.

"You're not letting this go, are you?" she asks, daring me to answer.

"Not until you tell me to scram." I smile back at her.

"Okay… Boyfriend!" she giggles, wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing me passionately.

I put my arms around her waist and pull her closer, kissing her back with the same intensity. Her kiss is always so sweet, and like a big, bad wolf, I devour her with all my hunger.

We break apart after a while, both gasping for air. Just a few seconds of looking at Mia make me want to nestle her head against my shoulder and hold her, caressing her back.

"Do you still have time?" I ask her. "We could go back to the hotel and have some wine on the terrace?"

"You know I'm not drinking," she complains, her face buried against my shirt.

"Alright!" I gently rub her back. "Shirley Temples, then."

We take the short stroll back to the car, but not before snapping a picture together to make it official on social media.

Finally Mia is my girlfriend, and I can't stop smiling.