Chapter 41: Chapter 41

My arms are wrapped around Willow as Britt and Colby belt out one of the songs she’s written on stage. The Wildcats took home another win tonight, and you know what that means…

Yup, you guessed it—karaoke.

This was our final conference game. Next week, playoffs begin. We’ve been working hard all season to get to this point, and now it’s here. I glance at Ryder, Wolf, Bridger, Hayes, Madden, Riggs, and Ford. These guys were already a unit when I came in freshman year. I was lucky enough to be accepted into their brotherhood so easily.

After this season, they’ll graduate. For some, they’ll go on to play in the pros. For others, their hockey playing days will be behind them and they’ll jump into their careers and families.

I’m going to miss them.

Coach was impressed with the way I’ve turned my grades around, and he talked to me about being captain next season. With the added responsibility, I’ll need to step more into a leadership role for the team.

I press a kiss against the top of Willow’s blonde head.

It’s amazing how easily everything has fallen into place now that the air has been cleared and there are no more secrets.

She might not remember it, but I was serious when I said that I’d spank that gorgeous ass if she ever hides anything from me again.

Although…here’s a secret—I think my little sunshine enjoys having her backside smacked. Especially when she’s on all fours and I’m fucking her from behind, teasing her until she screams out her orgasm.

My cock stirs at the thought.

Willow tips her head until our gazes can collide. Her eyes search mine in the darkness of the bar, as if she’s able to sense my thoughts.

“Whatcha thinking, sunshine?”

There’s zero hesitation on her part. “Just how perfect everything feels.”

It really does.

Instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop or worrying about what might happen in the future, I’m learning to let go and simply enjoy the moment. The greatest gift we can give ourselves is to live life to the fullest and appreciate the people we choose to let in.

She tilts her head enough for our lips to align. That’s all the invitation I need to take her mouth. When my tongue sweeps across the seam, she opens, allowing me entrance. And then I’m delving inside to plunder her sweetness.

There’s nothing better than the taste of her flooding my system.

“For fuck’s sake,” River grumbles from a few chairs away.

My lips twitch as we break apart. “Problem, Thompson?”

“Yeah, stop mauling my sister in front of my face. Can’t you save that shit for behind closed doors?” There’s a pause. “On second thought, just don’t do it at all.”

“Maybe I should remind you that no one invited you here to⁠—”

Willow swats my chest. “I invited him so you two can get to know each other better.”

I watch River from the corner of my eye, only to find him giving the same look right back at me. The truth of the matter is that I know exactly how it feels to watch your sister making out with some dude.

It’s borderline uncomfortable.

Then consider that it’s the guy you’ve always had beef with…

So, maybe I understand River fucking Thompson better than I want to.

That’s all it takes for the tension filling my muscles to loosen.

My attention is drawn back to the stage as Colby tugs his wife into his arms and smacks a kiss against her lips. The crowd roars their approval as they splinter apart and my teammate escorts her back to the table.

My gaze settles on River, who still looks none too happy to be here. Other than Hayes, most of my teammates are ignoring him. I’m sure it feels a little like being in enemy territory for him. As easy as it would be to carry our grudge forward and be a jerk, I don’t want to do that.

Even though we’ve been at odds from day one, this guy is important to Willow.

And if he’s important to the girl who’s turning out to be my everything, then the relationship I have with him matters.

End of story.

“You any good at karaoke?”

He glances in my direction. “I’m sorry, are you talking to me?”

“Yup.” I nod toward the stage. “Instead of hugging it out, maybe we can sing it out?”

Hope brightens Willow’s expression as she sits up and stares at her brother.

“Come on, Will, don’t do this to me,” he grumbles.

She doesn’t have to say a word before he’s caving.

“Fine.”

“I don’t know how you did that,” I whisper in her ear, “but it was impressive. And a little bit scary.”

“It’s a twin thing,” she says, eyes twinkling with mischief.

I pluck her off my lap and settle her on the chair next to it before rising to my feet. “So… What are your thoughts when it comes to the Backstreet Boys circa 1997?”

“Hate them.”

I grin. “Perfect. I know exactly what we’re going to sing.”

“Last song of the night,” Sully booms into the microphone as we make our way to the stage.

As soon as we arrive, I let the bar owner know the selection I’ve chosen for the occasion.

I pick up one of the microphones before tossing the other to River.

He catches it with one hand. “Are you going to tell me what we’re doing or am I supposed to guess?”

My shoulders shake with silent laughter. “Trust me, you’ll know what it is when you hear it.”

He huffs out an irritated breath before shaking his head.

“All cued up,” Sully says.

As soon as the powerful rhythm drum pattern, accompanied by a driving beat of “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” by the Backstreet Boys echoes throughout the bar, River swears under his breath.

“You’re such a dick.”

The crowd cheers as some of them jump to their feet. We haven’t sung one lyric yet and already hands are raised in the air.

I’m half prepared for him to toss the microphone to Sully and storm off the stage. Instead, he belts out the opening verse along with me. And I have to say, we’re in perfect harmony.

About a dozen girls nearly swoon as my gaze fastens on Willow, who beams from the chair I set her on. And that’s exactly when I know that I’ll do whatever it takes to keep that expression on her face.

Just call it my new mission in life.

By the time we finish, the entire bar is screaming the lyrics back at us, and it’s a standing ovation as the last notes reverberate throughout the dark space.

I rip my gaze away from Willow to stare at her brother. A reluctant smile has settled on his lips.

“See, you had fun.”

He shrugs. “Maybe so, but you’re still a dick.”

With a chuckle, I jump off the stage and make my way back to Willow. All I can think about is getting her alone.

Once I reach the table, I pull her out of her seat and wrap her up in my arms before whispering in her ear, “You ready to go, sunshine? All I want to do is get my hands on you, and I can’t do that in front of your brother.”

“Thanks for including him. You have no idea how much it means to me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I know exactly how much it meant. It’s why I did it. Why I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

The softness that fills her eyes is enough for me to drown in.

Happily so.

Her teeth scrape across her lower lip. “I love you, Maverick.”

Those words steal the air from my lungs. I’ve been wanting to tell her I love her for the last week or two, but I was worried that she wasn’t there yet. I’m trying to take our relationship slow so I don’t scare her away with the enormity of my feelings. It’s a relief that I don’t have to hide them anymore.

“I love you too.”

With a smile, she presses her lips against mine. “Let’s go home so you can show me exactly how much.”

“Deal.”