Best Of Both Worlds (Colorado Black Diamonds #4)

Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

NOAH

“ H ow long has this been going on?” Jasper asks from across the table.

“Officially?” Graham checks the time on his phone before leaning back in his chair. “An hour or so?”

Nick rolls his eyes at us. “Seriously. How long?”

I shrug a shoulder, grabbing Graham’s glass and taking a small sip. I don’t want to be drinking, but if this is how the evening is going to go, I need at least one sip.

“A few months?”

I peer over at him. The smile on Graham’s mouth lights up his entire face. I love that I put it there. That it’s not one of pain.

It’s one that I’m going to strive to put on his face every day for the rest of our lives.

“A few months,” Graham confirms.

Marcus eyes the two of us from across the table. “I don’t know how we missed this. It seems so obvious now.”

Bode lets out a laugh, one that is a full-on cackle. “Dude. Were you two trying to bone the night we invaded your room?”

Graham winces. “I wouldn’t call it that, but yes. You guys really are a bunch of cock-blockers.”

Marcus smacks Bode on the back of the head. “Really? I’m surprised any woman falls for your charm.”

He flashes a wide, cocky grin at him. “What can I say? I’m a charmer.”

I snort a laugh. “I don’t think that’s what we call you, but okay.”

“I don’t know if I like having you back.”

“Hey, none of that talk,” Graham interjects. “He’ll be kicking your ass next year on the ice.”

Dax rolls his eyes at him. “You know you don’t need to do that to your own teammate, right?”

Bode laughs at him. “Kinda like how these two started?” He waggles a finger between me and Graham.

“Maybe Graham was trying to hide his real feelings toward you,” Jasper tells us.

Graham shakes his head, draping his arm over the back of my chair. “No. I really didn’t like him.”

“And now you love me. Who would have thought?”

I lean over and take a kiss from him. I don’t have to hide anymore. Not that I ever did, but I don’t have to hide what this man means to me.

“Who would have thought?” Graham whispers against my lips as he pulls back.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Graham look so happy, but I’m pretty sure I look the same way.

The guys start rehashing the game from earlier tonight, leaving Graham and me to ourselves.

“I wish we didn’t have to leave first thing tomorrow for Edmonton.” Graham drops his elbow on the table and shifts so I’m the sole focus of his attention.

“Will it make you feel better if I’m waiting for you when you get home?”

“Yeah?”

I nod, moving so my knees are between his, dropping my hands there. “Yeah. I mean, I can do my rehab from anywhere. Might as well be close to you.”

“That sounds amazing.”

I hold my hand out to Graham and he takes it without thinking. “I have to admit. Part of coming back here was because I was running away.”

“I’m sorry.”

I shake my head at Graham’s words. “No. It’s okay. You weren’t ready and I knew the score when we started this thing. So it was easier to run back here.”

Graham squeezes my hand. “No more running, okay? I promise, I won’t either.”

“No running. Ever.” Cupping his cheek, I pull Graham toward me and seal our words with a kiss. It feels damn good to be here with my boyfriend. To not care that anyone in this bar can see us.

“God. You two are disgustingly in love.”

Bode’s words pull us apart. That fucker.

“Leave them alone.” Jasper smacks him on the back of the head.

“I’m going to go find someone that I don’t have to be in love with tonight.” Bode laughs, heading toward the bar where a group of women are standing.

“Seriously. He needs to keep it in his pants. I’m surprised it hasn’t fallen off.” Marcus is shaking his head at him.

“And on that note, I’m heading back to the hotel. I’m wiped.” Dax drops his empty glass on the table in front of him. “It was good seeing you, Strawberry.”

“I’ll go with you.” Marcus drains the last of his drink.

“Yeah. You too.” I give Dax a quick hug as he and Marcus head out. “See you back in Nashville.”

“Hold up. I don’t want to be left with these two.” Jasper gives us a quick wave and follows the guys out.

It’s just the two of us.

Well, the two of us and our families and the guys from the Black Diamonds. They’ve been at their own tables just to the right of us.

Our group is taking up the majority of the back room of the bar. It’s weird to see so many people I love back here.

My dad and his friends.

The guys from my old team.

The guys from my new team.

Graham.

He is the most important person here.

Everything about this night has been damn near perfect.

“What’s this I hear about you heading back to Nashville?” Mom asks.

My mom and Frankie take the now vacated seats across from us, with Piper taking the empty one beside me.

“It’s about damn time.” Piper laughs. “I don’t need to be losing any more bets.”

“You bet your brother?” Graham asks.

Piper nods. “That the Black Diamonds would win.”

“Ouch. I don’t feel bad for you buying the drinks then.”

Piper waves him off. “Yeah, yeah. I guess it was a good win.”

“I feel betrayed.” Cash pops up next to her. “See if I get you another drink.”

He walks off to the bar and Piper follows him, a big smile on her face.

“Do you think they know they’re ignoring our question?” Frankie asks.

“Mom. Really?” Graham groans.

I snort a laugh. Having been around each other for so many years, it seems like our parents have merged into one person. They all are always thinking the same thing, it seems.

The best ways to fuss over their children.

“So you are going home to Nashville?” Mom asks.

Home. That word sounds so good. Looking at Graham, I answer, “Yeah, I am.”

“Are you going to take care of him, Graham? Make sure he follows his PT regimen? We don’t have Piper to make sure he stays on track.”

“Mommmm,” I groan. “Can you not? I’m over thirty years old.”

“I don’t want you to be too in love and doing what you do and forget to take care of yourself.”

“Kill. Me. Now,” I mutter, dropping my head onto Graham’s shoulder.

I guess it doesn’t matter how old you are, your parents will always embarrass you.

Graham ignores me though, wrapping an arm around my waist. “I promise. I will make sure to take care of him.”

Mom’s eyes are watering. “I just want to make sure my baby is taken care of.”

“Tenley.” Dad comes up behind her and pulls her into his hold. “Noah is a grown-up and can take care of himself.”

She smacks him. “I’ll always worry about my baby.”

“If Graham doesn’t, I’ll make sure to come out and kick his ass.” Frankie now enters the conversation, much to Graham’s dismay.

“I’m suddenly becoming more and more grateful at how far Nashville is from Denver.” I laugh.

I love our families. I do. But I want to be with Graham. In Nashville without someone watching over me. It’s been a long month.

I’m finally on the road to feeling better. And that’s what I want to focus on.

There’s no longer this sadness clouding my head. I’m no longer worrying about my future with the team.

Everything feels bright.

With Graham by my side, I can’t wait to see what comes next.