Make Your Move (Aston Archers Hockey #1)

30. Lincoln

CHAPTER THIRTY

LINCOLN

T he gate out front groans as I push it open and let it fall shut behind me. There’s a click from the latch, and I let out a deep breath as I look up at the massive Victorian house in front of me. As I start to walk, I feel a twinge of pain in my thigh, the aching feeling radiating from my knee to my hip. The hit I took at the end of the game didn’t fuck me up, but my body is feeling the stress from it.

It’s fine though.

I’m going to have plenty of time to let my body rest right now.

Nash didn’t follow me home, since he figured I would need some time after I got back here. He went over to Ford’s house and would be back later on. I’m glad he went there. The only thing I’m worried about right now is seeing Nova and making sure she’s okay.

The wood floorboards creak under my weight as I begin to walk up onto the front porch. Movement from my right catches my eye and I look over, seeing the swing swaying back and forth. I see an outline of someone sitting there, and as the swing moves backward, moonlight catches on their head, illuminating her blonde hair.

My throat constricts, and I walk over to her, stopping in front of the swing as she looks up at me. “Is there room for one more?”

I don’t miss the corners of her mouth lifting as she pats the cushion beside her. “Always.”

Reaching for the chain, I stop it from moving, just enough for me to sit down next to her. Relief washes over my body, easing some of the pain as I take the weight off my legs. Nova pulls her legs up, facing me with her legs bent in front of her. I let out a sigh, turning to face Nova as we begin to gently sway. I reach for her, my hands grabbing her knees as I pull her closer to me.

She throws her legs over my lap, the backs of her thighs resting against the side of mine. I wrap my arms around her knees. “Are you okay?” I ask her, feeling the soft material of her pajama pants beneath my fingers.

Nova’s face contorts, and she pulls her legs away from me as she sits up straighter. “I’m fine,” she huffs, her hands lifting to cup the sides of my face. I watch her eyes as they scan my face. “The better question is whether or not you’re okay.”

“I’m good,” I assure her, ignoring the ache in my leg as I grab her wrist and pull her hand away from my face. Wrapping both of my hands around hers, I lift it to my lips and kiss her fingers. “Did he hurt you?”

Her nostrils flare, and she lets out a deep breath as she shakes her head. “No. It scared me more than anything. He was being belligerent the entire game, but I didn’t expect that to happen.”

Holding her hand to my lips, I kiss her again before I rise to my feet, pulling her with me. It’s a frigid night, and I can feel Nova getting cold already. She follows me as I lead her into the house, closing the door behind us as we slip into the warmer air. My hands find her arms, and I rub her biceps to warm her skin.

Sliding my hand back down to hers, she lets me take her into the living room. There’s a blanket on the couch, and I wrap it around her before pulling her down onto the couch beside me. “You shouldn’t be out there without a coat,” I tell her, my voice low.

“I wasn’t out there long,” she admits with a soft smile on her face. “I was waiting for you.”

My heart grows in my chest. “Next time, wait inside.”

“Deal,” she agrees as her eyes scan my face once more. Her smile falls, and she lifts her hand, her thumb brushing against the cut in my lip. “I thought I saw blood earlier, but I didn’t see him hit you.”

“He didn’t,” I assure her, reveling in her touch as she explores my lips and face with her fingers. “I bit my lip when I went down on the ice.”

She lets out a breath, her eyes flashing back to mine. “What’s going to happen now?”

“It depends on whether or not he decides to file a lawsuit against me.”

Nova’s eyes widen. “What?”

I suck in a deep breath, my chest deflating as I exhale. “The team and the league will both launch their own investigations and determine my punishment after that.” I was given a rundown of what things will look like for the immediate future and possible outcomes. “If he doesn’t sue, things should calm down sooner.”

Her expression transforms into one of concern, regret, and guilt. “Fuck. I’m sorry, Lincoln. I feel like this is my fault. If I hadn’t been there, none of this would have happened.” The words tumble from her lips and tears fill her eyes.

“Nova, baby, stop,” I urge her, pulling her closer to me until her arms are wrapped around me, and her face is flush against my chest. “None of this is your fault. Seeing you there tonight made my fucking day. It’s that asshole’s fault, not yours.”

“You shouldn’t have climbed into the stands,” she says, her lips moving against my shirt. She abruptly pulls away, disapproval etched across her face. “There are people who work at the stadium to handle situations like that, not you. Your job is on the ice, not crowd control.”

I can’t help myself as I let out a laugh. Nova glares at me, and I shake my head at her, reaching up to cup the side of her face. “You’re crazy if you think I was going to watch someone put their hands on you and not do anything about it.”

“It was foolish, Lincoln. You need to think of your career.”

I scoff. “All of it could go away right now, and it wouldn’t fucking matter to me.” I let out a ragged breath, my eyes desperately searching hers. “There are always other careers in hockey I can do.” I swallow roughly over the emotion welling in my throat. “There isn’t another you.”

Her expression softens, her eyes growing warm as she reaches for me, her lips instantly finding mine. My lips part, letting her in as the kiss grows deeper. Her tongue sweeps across mine before she pulls away. She’s breathless, and her eyes stare directly into my soul.

“I love you, Lincoln.” She pauses, wiping the tears that fall from her eyes as she smiles at me. “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. Even when I didn’t think you would ever feel the same way, I still hoped it would happen. Even when I tried to move on, you were still my wish for every full moon.”

My heart thumps in my chest. “Nova, Nova, Nova,” I murmur, pulling her into my lap. Her legs fall on either side of mine, the blanket draping over us as she plants her hands against my chest, and her blue eyes look into mine. “I’ve always been yours, and I think I’ve always known it. I love you,” I tell her, my hands reaching for the sides of her face. “You’re the only dream I want to live.”

Love spills from her eyes, and her mouth crashes into mine. She surrounds me, consuming me as I let every inhibition fall away. She’s tangled in my soul, and I let her into the hole she carved in my chest. It’s where she belongs, tightly wound around my heart.

After all… it has always belonged to her anyway.