Defender (Seattle Sharks 9)

“Aren’t you two identical?”

“Only in biology.” I winked at her. “I know I only have a few months with you, and I don’t want to miss that entire week. Please?”

She lifted her head to look at me, then her eyes darted to the nightstand, and she yelped.

“Nathan! You’re supposed to leave for the rink in ten minutes!”

“Well, shit.” I jumped to action, throwing on my discarded clothes in a rush. Once I was tucked in, I grabbed my gear and leaned over Harper, who had wrapped herself in a blanket. “I’ll see you at the game?”

“You bet,” she said, kissing me softly. “Now, go!”

I did as the woman ordered and headed out of our room and down the hall just as Gage walked into his. Rushing, I grabbed his door before it could shut.

“Hey, you ready?” I asked, but he didn’t answer.

“I guess I just never thought about it,” I heard him say from the bathroom.

Shit, we were both going to be late if he didn’t hurry up.

“My family is happy in Seattle. I’m honored you’d ask, and I’ll definitely bring it up to my wife. We make our decisions as a family, and Charleston wasn’t even on our radar.”

My stomach sank.

As quietly as I could, I closed his door, stepping back into the hallway. I staggered back against the wall and leaned there, letting it hold me up.

Gage had already announced that he was retiring after this year, but going to Charleston? God, what would it be like to play against him? I idolized him. Was he going to take the offer?

His door opened, and I stood up.

“Hey, everything okay?” he asked with his gear slung over his shoulder.

“Yeah, just waiting for you.” I managed to say.

“Well, let’s get to it.” He slapped my shoulder just like he always did, and we headed for the elevator.

The sick feeling didn’t leave my stomach, even after we won.

Chapter 12

Harper

“And I thought my family’s estate was big,” I said, my eyes wide as I took in the massive grounds of Nathan’s family home.

The air held a bite from the winter chill, and Minnesota snow crunched under our boots as Nathan led me to the front door. He’d rented a car at the airport, not wanting to force his parents to drive in the snow.

“I bought this for them when I signed with the Sharks,” Nathan said, pausing on the intricate stone entryway. The beige brick home was situated on at least ten acres of snow-covered grounds that hugged Grays Bay, the water twinkling under the sun that made winter sparkle. With the Christmas lights meticulously trimming the beautiful home, it was like we’d stepped directly into a picturesque snow globe.

“You bought this for your parents?”

He flashed me a sheepish smile. “My parents have always been my biggest supporters. They footed all the fees that came with hockey and training since I was three. I figured it was the least I could do.”

“You’re wonderful,” I said.

My family had money, my big brother most of all, but I’d never thought of buying a house for someone. My parents were incredibly happy where they were at, but never once had that thought entered my mind. My heart warmed at Nathan’s nonchalance about the epic gift, the way he took care of his family as a default—it only made sense for someone like him.

He knocked on the door with his free hand, as the other one hadn’t let mine go since we got on the plane this morning. I was used to the touch by now, the constant presence of his heat, his scent, the unmatched hunger I had for him every second. It had become my new normal and I’d forced myself to live in the moment. To not think about the future, the move, his contract…the risks. All of that was firmly locked in a safe I’d stashed in the back of my mind for later.

Much later.

Butterflies swarmed my stomach as I heard footsteps on the other side of the door.

What if they hate me?

What if they think I’m a brainiac spaz not fit for their celebrity athlete son?

What if—

“Butterfly,” Nathan whispered, gazing down at me. He squeezed my hand, his eyes near liquid. “You have nothing to worry about. You’re incredible. And mine. Nothing else matters.”

I bit my lip, shaking my head. “You don’t know me.”

He scoffed. “Please,” he said. “I can feel your nervousness like a buzz.”

I sucked in a slow breath, ready to throw a clever retort back at him but the massive wooden door swung open.

“Nathan!” A short, petite, brunette in her mid-fifties threw her arms around Nathan’s neck, and he dropped my hand to return his mother’s embrace. “You’ve been gone so long, boy!” She smacked his chest, then turned to me. “Harper,” she said my name like we were old friends. “I’m so thrilled you could join us for the holiday.” She opened her arms and wrapped me in a hug.