Gametime: A Moo U Hockey Romance by Jami Davenport (shoe dog free ebook txt) 📗

as excited as a little boy on Christmas morning.

“Is it what it says it is?” My voice was strained and sounded foreign to my ears.

“Open it,” he insisted, grinning at me.

I took an excruciatingly long time pulling up the flaps on the box, removing the lid, and rummaging through the tissue. Everything inside turned cold as I stared at the pink figure skates.

Noooo.

I fought for control. Pax didn’t know about my phobia. He’d given me a thoughtful gift based on what he knew about me. I wouldn’t let on how upset I was.

“Is something wrong?” His smile dropped off his face. I wasn’t doing a good job of concealing my disappointment.

Preparing myself for the best acting performance of my life, I raised my head and smiled brightly at him. “They’re beautiful, but why did you buy me skates?”

“I love skating, and I want to share my love with you. We can skate together once in a while. Nothing big, just have some fun on the ice.”

“Don’t you get enough ice time?”

“A hockey player never gets enough ice time.” He grinned at me.

“What did these cost? You can’t afford these.” I picked up one of the skates and turned it over in my hands. I knew enough about skating and quality skates to know these cost a pretty penny. Dalager didn’t make cheap equipment but they did make it to last.

Paxton screwed up his face and cocked his head at me. “Stop worrying about what I can and can’t afford. It’s demoralizing. I’ll be fine.”

“But Pax, Dalager skates are the best. And spendy. I can’t accept this gift.” I crossed my fingers and prayed he’d give me an out.

“Kaitlyn got me a good deal.”

“Regardless, they’re not cheap no matter what kind of deal.”

“Let’s drop the money concerns. They’re yours. Do you like them? Kaitlyn helped me figure out the size.”

I was going to kill Kaitlyn. She knew why I didn’t skate. Why didn’t she have my back and talk him out of this idea? I was an ungrateful girlfriend. The guilt of my ungratefulness smothered me, but I wasn’t going to skate ever, not even for Pax. I’d secretly return them and find a way to get his money back to him. I leaned in and gave him a kiss. “They’re beautiful, but I wish you wouldn’t have.” I made another attempt, but Pax shook his head.

“All you have to say is thank you.”

“Thank you, Pax.”

“I know it’s almost a month away, but I want you to start thinking about something.” He sat down next to me and put his arm around my shoulders, so very pleased with himself. My own smile was so fake it hurt my face.

“About what?”

“Go to the alumni skate with me the Friday after finals.” The alumni skate was an annual Christmas tradition with the team. Former team members and their significant others were invited back to skate with current members and their SOs. It was actually a big deal. The rink was decorated in Christmas lights, and there was a catered buffet and a bar. I’d never gone, but I’d heard about it. A couple of the WAGs had attended and shown me pictures. They transformed the rink into a literal winter wonderland.

“I can’t do it,” I said regretfully. I’d love to go with Paxton, but my fear of skating overrode my desire to attend.

“I’ll hold you up, and we can get some practice time in before then.

“My dad will be there with his new girlfriend. I won’t humiliate myself and him like that.” I attempted another tactic.

“This is really important to me.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t go.”

“Naomi, I need you to go.”

“I can’t. I can’t get on the ice. I’m scared. Don’t you understand? I can’t do it.”

He frowned. His entire face fell. “I don’t understand. I’ll help you.”

“No one can help me,” I wailed and tears streamed down my face. Paxton gaped at me, not getting what the issue was.

“Naomi, this was supposed to be a happy gift, something we could do together. If you hate skating that much, I’ll return them.”

“It’s not that I hate skating. I’m scared to death to skate. I have panic attacks whenever I step foot on the ice.” I blurted out the shameful secret about my phobia, and he listened with growing horror on his face.

“I didn’t know.” He was stricken, and I rushed to comfort him with kisses and gentle words. “It’s okay. I understand. You tried to do something special for me, for us, and I honestly wish I were stronger, but I’m not.”

“I’ll return these.” His voice rang hollow, and I had to make this up to him.

“I’ll do it for you. Kaitlyn can help me. It’s the least I can do for all the trouble you went to.”

I stood and grabbed his hand. “Let me show you what I’d like for my birthday.”

His face lit up, and he followed me into the bedroom. The skates were soon forgotten as he wished me a happy birthday in the best way possible.

28

Surprise Visit

Paxton

The skates had been a mistake, and I chastised myself for thinking I had the right to push anyone to do something they didn’t like or enjoy, even if I didn’t realize the depths of her phobia. Naomi didn’t hold the gift against me, and next time I’d stick with jewelry. I didn’t think a guy could go wrong with diamonds.

Our sex life was epic since our first date almost two weeks ago. I’d never had so much sex in my life. We alternated between nights in my apartment and her dorm room. Patrick didn’t say much when we were there. More often than not, he’d leave and not return until well after we’d fallen asleep. I was a little concerned because I hadn’t seen him crack a book in forever.

I adored Naomi and dared hope she felt the same way. The mixed messages disappeared, and from where I was standing, she was one-hundred-percent devoted to yours truly.

She’d taken the skates