whether it was his own apartment, a friend’s place, or his family home, the left corner of the couch belonged to fraser. he told you it was just a reflex, something automatic, to gravitate toward that side when you asked him why that spot specifically. and while that was true, there was more to it. he always sat on the left side in cars, or slept on the left when he and his brother had to share a bed. as silly as it might sound, the left side just reminded him of home and childhood.
of course, when people who didn’t know him well took his sacred little spot, he didn’t get angry. but the second connor, mason, or one of his cousins even dared to look in that direction, fraser would shoo them away or drag them off the couch by their feet.
that’s why during summer, when you were over at his parents’ house with nearly the whole family present and everyone mingling, people exchanged looks when you took fraser’s spot, some silently considering whether they should tell you to move. but then something no one expected happened: fraser simply walked over with the softest smile, the one reserved just for you, so different from all his others. he sat down next to you, kissed your temple, and rested his head on your shoulder.
“you know, i was wondering,” you said one night, looking at fraser in the mirror as you brushed your teeth and got ready for bed.
“hmm?” his blue eyes met yours in the reflection, the corners of his mouth still messy with toothpaste.
“why do you let me sit on your side of the couch? you nearly threw connor over your shoulder the other day, but you never make me move.”
fraser stopped mid-motion, set his toothbrush aside, and rinsed his mouth. you could see the tips of his ears turn red as he patted his face dry with a towel. he reached for his glasses and cleared his throat nervously.
“i guess… i guess it’s comforting, in a sense,” he said. “that sounds so stupid.”
you wrapped your arm around his waist, and with your mouth still full of toothpaste, you mumbled, “not at all, baby.”
fraser cracked a smile and shook his head slightly. “it’s the same as you wearing my jersey. or when you text me goodnight on road trips. or when you grab my hand in crowds. seeing you sit in my spot just makes me feel like i’m truly at home.”
𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐑
connor means business when it comes to food – you do not touch what’s his. he’s reluctant to share even a bite of his order, always bawling internally when handing over a portion for someone else to taste. when he was younger, connor used to throw tantrums if anyone touched something he had left for later in the fridge, and would give his cousins and friends the silent treatment, stubbornly ignoring them for the rest of the day (until someone bribed him with extra food).
years later, at nearly 21 years old, he still acts like a grumpy little kid whenever someone messes with his food.
enter you, who can get his whole meal without even having to ask. sometimes you joke that he’s acting like a mom of five, but connor just shakes his head and insists you need to eat to stay healthy and strong. that makes perfect sense – but what doesn’t is how anyone else is met with a threat of murder for taking one of connor’s fries, while you get a whole burger handed over without a single complaint.
fraser took advantage of connor being distracted by a couple of kids at the table next to yours and reached for a nugget from his plate. “so did you– ouch,” he exclaimed, looking at the red patch forming on his skin where your boyfriend had just slapped his hand away. “what now?” humour laced his voice as he noticed connor’s unamused stare. “it’s just a piece of chicken, man. you just drank half my coke.”
“yeah, but that’s different,” connor muttered, glancing between the nuggets and his friend, ready to defend them if fraser tried to steal another one.
“oh yeah? how so?”
your boyfriend rolled his eyes, and you could help the giggle to escape your lips.
“oh my god, why do you always have to ask so many questions?” he groaned, throwing his head back. “i don’t know. it just is,” he said, but reluctantly put one of the nuggets on fraser’s plate. “just eat it before i change my mind.”
“your boyfriend is a child.”
“tell me about it,” you replied, nudging connor with your elbow and reached for his fries, dipping them in ketchup. “have to live with it almost 24/7.”
“here, just have them all,” connor said, letting the teasing go over his head as he slid the plate toward you, a small, content smile settling on his face.
“you’re impossible,” fraser breathed, shaking his head. “you nearly decapitated me over one nugget, and she gets a whole plate?”
connor simply shrugged. in his mind, it made perfect sense – and that was the end of the discussion.
𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐄𝐘
sidney has always been a bit… particular about his personal belongings. it wasn’t that he got angry or frustrated when people moved his sticks, spilled coffee on that one navy suit jacket he’d been planning to wear for the game the next night, or commented on his shoulder pads that had somehow survived what felt like the ten plagues of egypt. okay, maybe sometimes he did. but more than anger, what he really felt was discomfort – that quiet, uneasy shift inside him, like something had been slightly knocked out of place and his thoughts couldn’t help but circle it.
some days he handled it better. on others, even the smallest change could feel like too much, building into something he couldn’t easily ignore.
that was why everyone around him had learned to be careful with sid’s things, careful not to disturb the order that made everything feel just a little more manageable for him.
but if there was one person who could rearrange his ties in the closet, move the vase in the living room to a different spot, or tease him about his ancient gear, it was you.
and if sid ever tried to explain why that tight, anxious feeling softened when it was you, he wouldn’t have the right words at first. eventually, he’d probably say it was because you made everything feel safe. familiar. like nothing could truly be wrong if it was you. your trust, your warmth, your understanding – they didn’t erase the feeling completely, but they quieted it, like a hand gently smoothing out the edges of his thoughts.
and whenever any of the boys were at your place and you happened to be cleaning or ironing his suits, they never dared to joke about it or tease sid about how you could do it, but they couldn’t. instead, they would just exchange quiet, knowing smiles in your direction – the kind that didn’t need words. it wasn’t something they questioned. it just… was. the way you looked after him fit so naturally into the rhythm of his life that it almost felt like it had always been there.
𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋
will is a certified blanket hogger. his cousins hated his ass when he came over for sleepovers, and their mum made them sleep in one bed. he’d leave them cold and shivering, wrapped in a cocoon from head to toe, only his blond curls would stick out (which also happened to be a perfect target for them to pull to wake him up).
and while will doesn’t consider himself to be a selfish person in the slightest, when it comes to duvets, blankets or whatever else he uses as a cover during sleep, it’s his and only his. there is no point in trying to steal it even after he falls asleep – he’ll wake up just enough to yank it back and, in the process, probably leave you with a bruise from blindly searching for the edge.
so imagine his cousins’ outrage when, during one of your trips back to his home, they found you asleep on the couch, actually covered. and he was right there next to you, the blanket barely draped over him.
“i’m going to strangle him.”
“this little fucker.”
“are we sure it’s him.”
they truly couldn’t believe their eyes, because how could this be the same person who had terrorised them just a few years back. at the same time, they couldn’t deny how adorable you two looked, especially with how pathetically in love will looked, even while napping.
it was one of the first things you noticed when you started dating him – how gentle he became in small, quiet ways. the way he’d tuck you in before leaving for practice in the morning, careful not to wake you. how he’d drape a blanket over you when you fell asleep on his shoulder during movie nights. how, even half-asleep, he’d adjust it around you, making sure you were warm.
when he sleeps beside you, he’s still a blanket hogger. just not for himself.
𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐋𝐈𝐍
mack is rather… strict about the music he listens to in the car. especially in the morning. after games. after losing games. before dinner. when he’s stuck in traffic. ideally, he wouldn’t listen to music at all – but since he’s usually getting rides from other people, he has no choice but to submit to the torture that is someone’s shitty taste in music. and most of the time, it’s not even about the music itself. mack just gets overstimulated by the sound. he’s surrounded by noise almost 24/7, rarely getting the chance to just sit in silence, so music, in general, is a sore subject for him.
will, who’s been permanently banned from touching the AUX, is the most unhappy about this arrangement. you’d think he’d get special treatment, but whenever he even tries to go near it, mack threatens to leave him in the middle of the road. bribing you doesn’t work either.
you’re the only one who can play whatever you want without him getting irritated. rock, taylor swift, EDM, k-pop, jazz – whatever your heart desires. he’ll just nod along, drumming his fingers against the wheel from time to time.
“dude, we’ve been listening to this girly shit for like an hour now,” will groaned from the backseat, throwing his head against the headrest. too bad he lost rock-paper-scissors for the passenger seat, though mack would’ve made him sit in the back anyway. maybe then he would’ve had a chance to put something else on.
“oh my god, stop whining.”
your boyfriend looked like he was five seconds away from murdering his best friend, who just wouldn’t shut up. both of their hair was still messy from the shower, their suits wrinkled by now, but mack looked like he’d just come out of the trenches.
“then let me put something else on.”
“no.”
mack didn’t even glance at him as he turned the volume up, earning a quiet giggle from you, and another dramatic groan from will.
𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐌
wille is sunshine personified – a smile never leaves his face. he’s kind and patient, and you swear his laugh could make even the biggest grump crack. he’s great, although a little shy with new people, always making polite small talk and going out of his way to compliment them. he’s the type of guy your mum and grandma would instantly fall in love with, and your dad would already be figuring out how to get him over for the next barbecue.
however, beware.
your sweet, golden-retriever boyfriend has one very specific trigger: his swedish candy. he does not play about that shit. first of all, he has a special place in his apartment to store it, as if it were the crown jewels. you used to joke that he should install laser beams around the drawer in case anyone tried to steal from it.
wille didn’t find that funny. because, again – this is serious business.
whenever you have someone over and he forgets to hide it, and they ask if they can have some, you have to suppress the laughter bubbling up at your boyfriend’s miserable expression. still, asking is one thing, at least he’s prepared. but when mack, will, and misa pulled a prank on him and somehow managed to steal the entire drawer, he almost saw the gates of heaven.
obviously, you’re the exception. even better – he always gets extra smiley when he sees you eating it. there’s just something about watching you enjoy something that’s so dear to him. like you’re indulging in the real him – the wille eklund part, not just the san jose hockey player.
the fact that you want to try food and sweets from his country? it makes him melt every time.
so if there’s one person who can get away with stealing his precious candy, it’s you – and only you.
How these NHL players react to there S/O being hit on
Quinn Hughes, Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, Clayton Keller, Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, Sidney Crosby, William Eklund, Juraj Slafkovský, Cole Caufield, Connor bedard, Trevor Zegras, Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson x F!Reader
Warnings - Jealousy / possessiveness, Mild emotional tension, Brief mentions of flirting, Light physical touch (hand on back, arm around shoulders, etc.), Soft angst but overall fluff
A/N - first reaction fic in a hot minute and of the new year so apologies if it’s not amazing but I hope you all enjoy 💕💕
————————————————————
Quinn Hughes
Quinn notices before you do. He’s leaning against the counter, half-listening, when someone steps a little too close to you. Too familiar. His jaw tightens—not angry, just… aware. He doesn’t interrupt. Doesn’t glare. He waits. And when you finally turn back toward him, he steps closer, shoulder brushing yours like it’s accidental. His hand rests at the small of your back, grounding. “You ready?” he asks calmly. But his thumb presses in, just enough to say mine without ever saying it out loud.
Jack Hughes
Jack clocks it instantly and hates how casual the flirting feels. The laugh. The lean-in. He slides in beside you like it’s nothing, arm draped loosely over your shoulders. “What’re we talking about?” he asks, grin sharp but playful. The other guy backs off immediately. Jack looks down at you, smirking. “You okay?” It’s teasing, but his fingers tap against your arm like he’s checking you’re still there. Later, quieter, he admits he didn’t love seeing someone else make you smile like that.
Luke Hughes
Luke freezes a little when he sees it. He’s not great at jealousy yet—it hits him all at once. He watches you laugh at something someone else says, and his chest tightens. He doesn’t interrupt right away, just waits, fidgeting. When you come back to him, he exhales like he’s been holding his breath. “Were they bothering you?” he asks softly. When you say no, just flirting, he nods… then reaches for your hand anyway, like reassurance for both of you.
Clayton Keller
Clayton stays polite. Too polite. He smiles, chats with someone else nearby, but his eyes keep drifting back to you. When the flirting gets obvious, he finally steps in, wrapping an arm around your waist with practiced ease. “There you are,” he says warmly. His grip tightens just slightly. Later, when you tease him about it, he admits it bothered him more than he expected. “I trust you,” he says. “I just don’t love sharing your attention.”
Will Smith
Will’s reaction is quiet but intense. He watches from across the room, unreadable, jaw set. He doesn’t rush in. Doesn’t interrupt. When you finally meet his eyes, there’s something heavy there—hurt mixed with restraint. He pulls you aside gently. “Were you okay?” When you say yes, he nods, but his voice drops. “I don’t get jealous easily,” he admits. “But seeing someone else look at you like that? Yeah. Didn’t love that.” His hand lingers in yours longer than usual.
Macklin Celebrini
Macklin tries to be mature about it. He tells himself it’s nothing. Still, he drifts closer, listening in, inserting himself into the conversation just enough to shift the dynamic. When the flirting fades, he relaxes. Later, he laughs it off—until he doesn’t. “I didn’t think it’d bug me,” he admits, quieter now. “But I didn’t like feeling like I could lose you.” He looks embarrassed, honest. “Guess that means I care more than I thought.”
Sidney Crosby
Sidney notices instantly—and handles it smoothly. He joins the conversation with calm confidence, redirecting without confrontation. The flirting stops almost immediately. He keeps things light, respectful. Later, when it’s just the two of you, he admits it did register. “I don’t mind people noticing you,” he says evenly. “I just like being the one you come back to.” His hand squeezes yours, steady and sure, like he never doubted it—but still wanted to say it out loud.
William Eklund
William’s reaction is more emotional than he expects. He tries to joke about it, but there’s a flicker of insecurity he can’t hide. When you rejoin him, he leans into you, resting his forehead briefly against yours. “I know you didn’t do anything wrong,” he says softly. “I just…” He shrugs. “Didn’t like how easy it was for someone else to imagine themselves with you.” His smile returns after—but it’s gentler now, more protective.
Juraj Slafkovský
Juraj’s jealousy shows in his body language. He straightens, crosses the room in a few long steps, and stands beside you—tall, solid, unmistakable. He doesn’t say much, just places a hand on your lower back and meets the other person’s eyes calmly. The message lands. Later, he grins when you tease him about it. “What?” he says. “I wasn’t mad.” He leans closer. “Just reminding them you’re not available.”
Cole Caufield
Cole’s reaction is half teasing, half sulky. He pouts exaggeratedly when you come back, earning a laugh from you. “Oh, so that’s your type now?” he jokes. But later, when it’s quiet, he admits it bothered him. “I know it’s dumb,” he says. “I just don’t like feeling like I have competition.” He relaxes when you kiss his cheek. “Okay,” he smiles. “Worth it.”
Connor Bedard
Connor doesn’t know what to do at first. He watches, heart racing, feeling something sharp and unfamiliar. When you return, he’s quieter than usual. You notice immediately. When you ask, he hesitates, then admits, “I didn’t like that.” It’s simple. Honest. He looks almost embarrassed. “Not because of you. Just… because I care.” He relaxes when you reassure him, shoulders finally dropping like he’d been holding tension the whole time.
Trevor Zegras
Trevor reacts instantly—dramatically. He slides in with a grin, arm around you, charisma turned all the way up. “Sorry,” he says to the other person, smiling sweetly. “They’re taken.” Later, he laughs it off, but there’s an edge beneath the humor. “I trust you,” he says. “I just don’t trust anyone who looks at you like they’re already planning a future.” He kisses your temple, playful but sincere.
Adam Fantilli
Adam’s reaction is subtle but heavy. He watches the interaction, jaw clenched, hands shoved into his pockets. When it ends, he exhales slowly. “That guy was flirting with you,” he says, not accusing—just stating a fact. When you agree, he nods. “Yeah. Didn’t love that.” He steps closer, voice quieter. “Not because I don’t trust you. Just because I don’t like the idea of someone else wanting what I have.”
Kent Johnson
Kent tries to pretend he doesn’t notice—but he does. He makes a joke when you come back, something light, but his eyes search your face. Later, when it’s just you two, he admits it caught him off guard. “I didn’t think I’d care,” he says softly. “Turns out, I do.” He smiles sheepishly. “A lot.” He reaches for your hand, fingers lacing together like a quiet promise.
MACKLIN CELEBRINI X CROSBY!READER
SUMMARY: After the Olympic pressure becomes too much, Macklin decides to spend time with his childhood best friend, Y/N.
WARNINGS: SMAU with maybe some writing, Use of Y/N, Childhood friends to lovers, Reader is a figure skater, possible inaccurate detail’s about figure skating, Reader is lowkey obviously a nepo baby, Geno is uncle Geno <3
A/N: New SMAU fanfic omg I might tear up, fun fact this was the first ever SMAU I ever planned!! So excited for this sequel series, hope you guys like it, it was so fun to make!!
!! IMPORTANT!! This is a sequel series, before reading this SMAU please read this one: LEGENDARY LOVERS--2000s SIDNEY CROSBY X MALKIN!READER
·────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────·────
INSPIRED BY "I CAN DO IT WITH A BROKEN HEART" BY TAYLOR SWIFT.
Olympics Figure skating free skate event, Before Canada vs USA. February 19, 2026.
your insta.
Y/NUSER ✓
Liked by SidneyCrosby.87, Olympics, TeamCanada, Mackcelebrini, Mackinnon29, and 1.7M others..
Y/NUSER ✓ Absolutely unreal the amount of times I cried today, I was about to pass out standing on the podium! This medal is dedicated to the little girl in the first picture, the mother watching over me, my amazing goated dad who took care of me, and all the people who loved and believed in me <3
User1 THE BABY PHOTO IM SICK
User2 the entire country is going to use this photo every olympics for the next 40 years
User3 that little girl had no idea she'd become an Olympic champion btw
OldmanUser i watched her mother's career and now i'm watching her daughter's. RIP, time is cruel.
➥Y/NUSER ✓ was thinking about her the entire time, miss you mom i hope your proud 🤍
➥User4 I was having a good day btw.
Mackcelebrini ✓ not bad I guess
➥Y/NUSER ✓ thanks I was aiming for silver actually
➥User5 this is young love your honor I swear it is
➥User6 Childhood friends ruining my life again omggg kiss or smth i'm irritated asf
e.malkin71geno ✓ gold medal very good, now win another.
➥Y/NUSER ✓ love you too uncle Geno ❤️❤️ now click the three dots on the top of your screen and block me rq ❤️❤️
bmarch63 ✓ not bad for a figure skater
➥Y/NUSER ✓ Not bad for a rat either am I right
mcdavid97✓ cooler than any other Stanley cup picture I’ve ever seen 🔥😎
➥Y/NUSER ✓ not allowed to say this but hope to see you holding the cup soon <3 #pensdontkillmeforsayingthis
TeamCanada ✓ OLYMPIC CHAMPION 🍁🇨🇦🥇
➥Y/NUSER ✓ HELL YEAHH
yuzuruhanyu ✓ Congratulations on your beautiful skating and your gold medal 💖💖
Penguins Guess greatness runs in the family 🐧🔥
Mackinnon29 ✓ never thought I’d ever see Sid ugly cry happy tears 😂haha so proud of you kiddo ❤️❤️
➥Y/NUSER ✓ Thank you popular hip hop artist Nate Dogg ❤️
_Connorbedard ✓ wait give me that medal I’ll shine it for you rq
➥Y/NUSER ✓ ponder your way out of my comment section rq
SidneyCrosby.87✓ 💞💗💞
➥User7 he typed this comment when shakey hands and tears streaming down his face btw
Later that night, texts between Y/N and Macklin.
next day, February 20 2026
SidneyCrosby.87✓
Liked by Y/NUSER, Mackinnon29, Kletang_58, NHL, Penguins, e.malkin71geno, and 1.2M others….
SidneyCrosby.87✓ time flies ☺️💞
User1 first ever personal post he’s ever made btw
➥User2 apparently all it took for him to post something was a gold medal lmfao
Y/NUSER ✓ ahaha so cute baby pictures delete this 🩷🩷 dad delete this 🩷🩷
User3 omg no way sid just posted baby pictures
User4 professional girl dad Sidney Crosby
➥User5 it’s giving soccer mom posting her kids on Facebook LMFAOO
Mackinnon29 ✓ this little fella can do a triple axel now 😎‼️
➥Y/NUSER✓ always lurking in my dads comment section aren’t ya
TeamCanada ✓ elite since day one 🔥
Mackcelebrini✓ 😂😂he so small😂😂😂😂😂😂😂only need one popcorn😂😂😂😂😂😂
➥User6 played with Sidney Crosby a few times now he’s commenting under family pictures
➥User7 baby that’s his father in law
comment liked by SidneyCrosby.87
User8 NO WAY HE JUST LIKED THAT LMFAO
texts between Sidney and Y/N
Your insta
Y/NUSER ✓
Liked by Mackcelebrini, Olympics, _Connorbedard, SidneyCrosby.87, sanjosesharks, TeamCanada, and 809K others….
Y/NUSER ✓ the gelato is as sweet as a gold medal 🇮🇹❄️🏅
SidneyCrosby.87✓ 🍦🍦✨✨
➥Penguins ✓ he learned how to use new emojis! Hoorah!
Mackcelebrini ✓ 8/10 gelato would be a ten if she stayed quiet and let me eat in peace
➥Y/NUSER✓ Yappatron 6000 over here complaining about me talking too much
_Connorbedard ✓ yea yea we get it gold medal whatever 🙄🙄🙄
User1 everything about the Winter Olympics gives me fomo ngl
➥User2 why couldn’t my mom sign me up for a sport growing up 💔💔
➥User3 she’s a nepo baby anyways she wouldn’t have made it without her daddy’s influence.
➥User4 oh shut up this is getting old, her dad’s influence didn’t teach her how to skate a clean program.
benkindy_81✓ me if I was goated
➥Y/NUSER✓ you ARE goated ❤️🩹👀
Mackinnon29✓ I was wondering why the Olympic village got so quiet haha turns out you guys were exploring Italy 😂!
➥Y/NUSER✓ hi your my fav uncle btw don’t tell uncle Geno
sanjosesharks✓ sharks seen in Italian waters 🦈
➥Y/NUSER✓ I’m more of a penguins girl so take your white boy and get out my comment section
Texts between y/n and Macklin later that night
February 22, After the gold medal game between Canada and USA
to be continued…
·────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────·────
A/N: cliffhanger I’m evil AS FUCKKK expect next part soon
SUMMARY: After nearly a year of being William’s secret, YN finally reaches her limit during a Sharks charity event and ends their relationship. Desperate to fix what he broke, Eky asks for one more chance—but first, he has to face her four protective younger brothers and prove that he is ready to love her openly.
WC: 6.2k
WARNINGS: Secret relationship, emotional neglect, feeling hidden or unclaimed, jealousy, public embarrassment, breakup, crying, angst, family confrontation, protective siblings, apologies, slow reconciliation, and a hopeful ending.
Requested: William Eklund x Secret relationship
an: eky´s trade is still haunting me
Dating william in secret had been exciting for approximately three weeks. After that, it had mostly become exhausting.
At first, you had understood why he wanted privacy.
William was still young, still establishing himself with the San Jose Sharks and still learning how to live beneath the attention that followed professional athletes. Every game was analyzed, every mistake was replayed and every person standing too close to him could become the subject of online speculation.
You knew how invasive hockey fans and media could be better than most people. You had been born in 2003, the oldest child of Patrick and Christina Marleau and the only daughter among five children.
The Sharks organization had watched you grow up.
Some of the longtime staff members still remembered you running through the hallways of the arena wearing one of your father’s jerseys, the fabric falling almost to your ankles. You had spent your childhood around locker rooms, family lounges, charity events and team dinners.
You had watched strangers analyze almost every part of your father’s life. His career, his marriage, his children.
Even though none of you had chosen to become public figures, people had always believed they were entitled to opinions about your family.
So, when William had asked whether the two of you could keep the relationship private for a while, you had agreed.
You understood wanting something that belonged only to the two of you. At least, you thought you did.
Privacy meant not posting each other on social media, privacy meant avoiding public displays of affection when cameras were nearby, privacy meant not answering questions about your relationship or allowing strangers to dissect every detail.
But what William wanted slowly became something else, it became arriving separately everywhere. It became pretending you barely knew each other whenever his teammates were nearby. It became stepping away from him whenever someone entered a room.
It became watching him introduce you as Patrick Marleau’s daughter instead of his girlfriend. It became sitting several seats away from him at dinners while he laughed with everyone except you.
And after almost a year together, it no longer felt like privacy, it felt like shame.
The worst part was that nearly everyone in San Jose already knew you, you had always belonged around the Sharks. William was the person making you feel like you did not.
Your family did not know about the relationship either, that had been partly your decision. You knew that once your brothers found out, there would be questions, teasing and probably several unnecessary threats.
Your father had spent years telling them the same thing “You protect your sister.” It did not matter that every one of them was younger than you.
Landon, born in 2006, was only three years younger. He was usually calm, but he had inherited your father’s ability to become terrifyingly quiet whenever someone hurt a person he loved.
Brody, born in 2009, was considerably less subtle. He would ask direct questions and demand direct answers, even when nobody had invited him into the conversation.
Jagger, born in 2011, noticed almost everything. He was the kind of person who could tell you were upset before you had spoken a word.
And then there was Caleb. Born in 2015, he was twelve years younger than you and somehow the most protective of all your brothers.
It was ridiculous, he was still young enough to lose his hockey equipment and ask you to help him find it, but he acted as though your father had appointed him as your personal security guard.
William had always found it funny “You know Caleb stared at me for ten minutes today?” he had whispered once after visiting your family home.
“He does that.”
“I think he knows.”
“He’s ten.”
“He’s intimidating.”
“You play against grown men for a living.”
“Yes, but grown men don’t ask why I’m looking at their sister.” You had laughed then, Now, you wondered whether William would have hidden you so easily if your brothers had known.
The Sharks charity event had been marked on your calendar for weeks.
You had attended similar events throughout your childhood, first beside your parents and later on your own. You knew many of the sponsors, older staff members and families connected to the organization.
For once, you had hoped William might allow himself to act like your boyfriend.
You were not expecting a public announcement, you did not need him to post a photograph or stand in front of reporters and confirm your relationship.
You only wanted to sit beside him.
that was all.
You wanted to share a table without pretending it had happened accidentally, you wanted to look at him without watching him immediately glance around to see whether anyone had noticed, you wanted to leave the event together rather than waiting fifteen minutes between exits as though you were doing something wrong.
You finished getting ready inside William’s apartment, he stood near the bedroom doorway, watching you adjust the strap of your dress, the silence lasted long enough that you eventually looked at him through the mirror.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“William.”
He shifted his weight “You look beautiful.”
A faint smile touched your lips “Thank you.”
He walked toward you and placed his hands against your waist, for a moment, everything felt normal. His lips brushed your bare shoulder before he rested his chin there, meeting your eyes in the mirror “You’re staying here tonight, right?”
Normally, you would have answered without hesitation, instead, you asked, “Are we sitting together?”
William’s expression changed, it was subtle. Someone who did not know him might not have noticed but you knew him. You felt his hands loosen against your waist.
“I don’t know where everyone’s assigned.”
“You told me yesterday that players could choose who sat at their tables.”
“I said I thought they could.”
“So choose me.”
“Baby.”
Your stomach sank, it was only one word, but you already knew where the conversation was going “What?”
William stepped away from you “There are going to be a lot of people there tonight.”
“I know.”
“Reporters too.”
“I know.”
“And sponsors.”
“I have been attending Sharks events since before you knew how to skate.” His jaw tightened.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what do you mean?”
William looked toward the floor “I just think tonight might not be the best night to change things.”
You stared at him “Change things?”
“To tell everyone.”
“I didn’t ask you to stand on a table and announce that we’re sleeping together. I asked to sit beside you.”
“People will ask questions.”
“They already ask questions.”
“And we’ve managed to avoid giving them answers.”
You laughed once, although nothing about the situation was funny “Of course.”
William’s expression softened “Please don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Act like I’m trying to hurt you.”
“You are hurting me.”
“I’m trying to protect us.”
“No. You’re protecting yourself.”
“That isn’t fair.”
“Neither is making me feel like your dirty secret.”
“You are not a secret.”
“Do your teammates know we’re together?”
William did not answer.
“Does your coach know?”
Silence.
“Does anyone besides your family in Sweden know?”
“My family counts.”
“You know what I mean.”
William ran a hand through his hair “I just need more time.”
“You’ve had almost a year.”
“I know.”
“How much more time?”
“I don’t know.”
The answer settled heavily between you, you looked at the man you loved and realized he could not even tell you when he might finally be ready to admit that you existed in his life.
William reached for your hand, you pulled it away before he could touch you. His face fell.
“We should go,” you said.
“YN—”
“We’re arriving separately, aren’t we?”
He hesitated, that was enough. You collected your purse and left his apartment without waiting for him.
The event was held inside a ballroom overlooking San Jose. By the time you arrived, the room was already filled with players, staff members, sponsors and their families.
People greeted you warmly.
Several longtime Sharks employees hugged you and asked about your parents. One of your father’s former teammates wanted to know how Landon was doing. Someone else joked that it was strange seeing you arrive without one of your brothers following behind you.
You answered every question automatically.
Across the ballroom, William stood with several teammates, he looked handsome in his dark suit. He also looked directly at you before quickly looking away.
The small rejection hurt more than it should have.
You were surrounded by people who had known you since childhood, yet the person who knew you most intimately acted as though acknowledging you would create a scandal.
You found your assigned table and William was not seated there, you had known he would not be, but seeing his name card across the room still made something ache inside your chest.
During dinner, you tried to participate in the conversations around you.
You smiled when expected, you laughed when someone shared a story about your father, you answered questions about your family.
But your attention repeatedly drifted toward William’s table.
A young woman was seated beside him. You recognized her as the daughter of one of the event sponsors. She was beautiful, confident and clearly interested in him.
William was polite. Nothing more, you trusted him enough to know that. But trust did not make it easier to watch.
She leaned toward him whenever she spoke, she touched his sleeve while laughing. At one point, someone at the table said something that made her glance between you and William.
William’s shoulders tensed, the woman turned toward you. You forced a polite smile. She smiled back before returning her attention to William.
You wondered what had been said, perhaps someone had noticed him looking at you, perhaps they had asked whether he knew you. You could already imagine his response.
Of course I know her. She’s Patrick Marleau’s daughter.
Not his girlfriend, not the woman whose toothbrush sat beside his, not the person he called after difficult games, not the one who stayed awake with him when he doubted himself, not the person who knew the exact expression he wore when he was anxious, tired or homesick.
Only Patrick Marleau’s daughter.
The woman touched his arm again, you looked down at your plate, swallowing hard. You did not blame her.
As far as she knew, William was single.
That was what finally broke you, it was not another woman flirting with him. It was the knowledge that William had deliberately created a world in which everyone had every reason to believe he was available.
You pushed your chair back, the sound caught the attention of several people at your table “Excuse me,” you murmured. You collected your purse and walked toward the exit, you heard your name behind you before reaching the ballroom doors. You kept walking.
“YN.”
William caught up with you in the hotel lobby, his hand closed carefully around your wrist.
You immediately pulled away “Don’t.”
His expression changed “What happened?”
“You know what happened.”
“Was it the woman beside me? Because I wasn’t—”
“This isn’t about her.”
“Then what is it?”
You stared at him, even now, standing inside a mostly empty lobby, he kept several feet between you. There were no cameras nearby, no teammates, no sponsors and still, he was acting as though being seen too close to you was dangerous.
“I’m leaving.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“No.”
William frowned “Why not?”
“Because I don’t want you to.”
The words made him go still.
You hated that tears were already burning behind your eyes. You had spent the entire evening trying not to cry, but standing in front of him made the humiliation impossible to contain “You made me sit across that room and pretend I didn’t love you.”
“I didn’t make you—”
“You did.”
William stopped speaking.
“You knew how I felt before tonight,” you continued. “I told you I couldn’t keep doing this, and you still decided that protecting yourself mattered more than protecting me.”
“That isn’t true.”
“Then why couldn’t I sit beside you?” He opened his mouth, nothing came out, you nodded slowly “That’s what I thought.”
“YN, please.”
“I don’t want to be your secret anymore.”
“You’re not.”
“Stop saying that.” Your voice cracked. “Stop telling me I’m not a secret when you won’t even look at me in public.”
“I look at you.”
“And then you look away.”
Panic appeared in William’s eyes, he stepped closer. This time, when he reached for your hands, you let him take them, only because you knew it might be the last time.
“I love you,” he said.
You closed your eyes “That makes it worse.”
“How?”
“Because you love me when nobody is watching.”
“That isn’t true.”
“It feels true.”
“I don’t know how to fix this right now, but I can. Come home with me and let’s talk.”
“We have talked.”
“Then we’ll talk again.”
“You’ll apologize. I’ll cry. Then you’ll kiss me until I convince myself I can wait a little longer.” William’s face crumpled “But I can’t wait anymore,” you whispered.
“Don’t say that.”
“I’m done.”
He shook his head immediately “No.”
“William.”
“No. You don’t get to decide that while you’re upset.”
A tear slipped down your cheek “I’m not deciding this because I’m upset. I’m deciding it because I have spent months feeling like I’m not enough for you to claim.”
“You are enough.”
“Then why have you never chosen me where anyone could see?”
William stared at you, the silence answered for him again, you carefully pulled your hands from his “I love you,” you said. “But I don’t want to feel like this anymore.”
“Please don’t leave.”
“I have to.”
“Give me one more chance.”
“You’ve had hundreds of chances.”
“I didn’t know I was losing you.”
“I told you.”
“I thought we had more time.” The desperation in his voice almost made you stay, almost. But staying because he was afraid would not erase the months you had spent wondering whether he would ever be proud enough to stand beside you.
You stepped backward, William followed “I’ll tell them,” he said quickly. “I’ll go back inside and tell everyone.”
“You’d only be doing it because I’m leaving.”
“Because I finally understand what this has done to you.”
“You should have understood when I told you.”
“I should have.” His voice broke. “I know that now.”
You pressed your lips together, fighting a sob “I need to go.”
“YN—”
“My driver is outside.”
“I’ll take you home.”
“No.”
“Please.”
“I don’t want to go home with you.” The words destroyed him, you saw it happen. His shoulders lowered, his mouth parted slightly, but no sound came out. For a moment, he looked young and completely lost, you wanted to wrap your arms around him, you wanted to tell him you did not mean it.
Instead, you turned and walked away.
Your father knew something was wrong the second you entered the house. Patrick was sitting in the living room with your four brothers when the front door opened.
Caleb noticed you first, his face brightened before he saw your expression “Why are you crying?” Every head turned toward you, you wiped quickly beneath your eyes.
“I’m not.”
“You are,” Caleb insisted.
“I’m tired.”
Brody muted the television, Landon stood from the couch. Jagger remained quiet, watching you with the observant expression that usually meant he had already figured out more than everyone else.
Your father’s gaze moved over your dress, your purse and your red eyes “You were at the Sharks event.”
It was not a question.
“Yes.”
“Did something happen?”
“No.”
Caleb walked directly toward you, at eleven years old, he was still shorter than you, but the expression on his face was severe “Who made you cry?”
Despite everything, a broken laugh escaped you “No one.”
“That’s a lie.”
“Caleb.”
“Dad said we have to protect you.”
Patrick exhaled slowly “I might have created a problem.”
“You definitely did,” Christina called from the hallway.
Caleb ignored them “Was it a boy?”
You looked away, all four brothers reacted immediately “Oh my God,” you muttered.
Landon crossed his arms “Which boy?”
“There is no boy.”
Jagger spoke quietly “It’s Eklund.”
Your head snapped toward him, the room became silent “How do you know?” Brody asked.
Jagger shrugged “He looks at her weird.”
“He does not.”
“He does,” Caleb agreed.
“You’re eleven. What do you know about someone looking at me weird?”
“I know I don’t like him.”
“You liked him yesterday.”
“Yesterday he hadn’t made you cry.”
Your eyes filled again, your father stood. The teasing disappeared from his expression immediately. He walked toward you and placed a hand against the back of your head, pulling you against his chest.
That was all it took.
You began sobbing into his shirt, your brothers went quiet.
Patrick did not immediately ask for an explanation. He simply held you, one hand moving slowly over your hair the same way he had when you were younger.
Your mother entered the room, she looked at you and then at Patrick “What happened?”
You struggled to answer “I broke up with William.”
Caleb’s eyes widened “You were dating him?”
“Caleb,” Christina warned.
“For almost a year,” you admitted.
Brody stared at you “A year?”
“It was private.”
“Private from us?” Landon asked.
“Private from everyone.”
Jagger’s expression hardened “He didn’t want people to know?”
You wiped your face “He said he was protecting the relationship.”
“And what did you say?” Patrick asked.
“That I didn’t want to hide anymore.” Your father’s jaw tightened, Patrick did not become visibly angry often.
He did not need to, his silence usually said enough, Caleb moved closer “Did he say you weren’t his girlfriend?”
“No.”
“Then why did he hide you?”
“I don’t know.”
Caleb’s face twisted as though he had personally been betrayed “I’m going to fight him.”
“You are eleven.”
“I can still fight.”
“He’s a professional hockey player.”
“I play hockey too.” Brody snorted despite the tension, you covered your face “Please don’t fight anyone.”
Patrick pressed a kiss against your hair “No one is fighting anyone.” Caleb looked disappointed “But,” your father added, “William and I may have a conversation.”
“No.”
Patrick looked down at you “Dad, please. I handled it.”
“He hurt you.”
“And I ended the relationship.” Your voice broke again, your father softened “I know.”
“I just want to sleep.”
Christina wrapped an arm around you, “Come on.” As she guided you upstairs, Caleb followed, you turned “What are you doing?”
“Protecting you.”
“From what?”
He thought for a moment “In case Eklund climbs through the window.”
You almost laughed “He is not climbing through my window.”
“I’m still sleeping on the floor.”
“Caleb.”
“I already decided.”
Your mother shook her head “Your father really did create a problem.”
William called fourteen times that night, you did not answer, he sent messages until nearly three in the morning.
Please talk to me.
I’m sorry.
I told the guys.
I know that doesn’t fix it.
I should have done it before.
Please let me see you.
You turned your phone facedown, Caleb was asleep on a pile of blankets beside your bed, one of your old pillows beneath his head.
You stared at the ceiling until morning.
The following days were worse than you expected, William did not stop trying. Flowers arrived at the house, your father accepted them, read the card and carried them upstairs without comment.
Your favorite coffee appeared on the front porch the following morning, a handwritten letter arrived the day after that.
You left all of it untouched, you were not trying to punish him. You were trying to remember why you had left. Every apology made you question yourself, every message made you miss him.
You missed waking up beside him, you missed the way he spoke Swedish when he was tired, you missed watching him cook while pretending he had not called his mother for instructions, you missed his laughter. You missed your best friend.
But you did not miss being hidden. That was what you repeated whenever your hand hovered over his name.
One week after the event, William sent another message.
I’m not asking you to forgive me. I only want one opportunity to talk. Somewhere you feel comfortable.
You stared at the message for nearly an hour. Eventually, you agreed. He asked whether he could meet you at your parents’ house the following afternoon.
It was not a date.
You told yourself that repeatedly while getting ready, William was coming over so the two of you could talk.
Nothing more.
There would be no expensive dinner, no dramatic public gesture, no pretending that one week apart had erased almost a year of hurt.
Still, your stomach twisted when the doorbell rang. You heard Caleb shout from downstairs “He’s here!”
Before you reached the bottom of the staircase, your father opened the front door “William.”
“Mr. Marleau.” William sounded nervous “I’m here to see YN.”
“I know.”
There was a pause, then Caleb spoke from behind your father “You can’t take her yet.”
You closed your eyes, of course.
When you entered the living room, all four of your brothers were positioned between William and the rest of the house.
Landon stood nearest the doorway with his arms crossed, Brody was beside him, looking far too interested in starting an argument, Jagger leaned against the wall, studying William silently and Caleb stood in front of all of them as though he were their leader.
He was holding a miniature hockey stick. You had no idea where he had found it.
William remained outside on the porch, his gaze moved over your brothers before finding you. The moment he saw you, his expression softened. It made your chest ache.
“Hi,” he said quietly.
“Hi.”
Caleb stepped sideways, blocking his view “No looking at her yet.”
“Caleb,” you warned.
“We need to talk to him first.”
“We?”
“All of us.”
Landon glanced toward him “You’re not leading the conversation.”
“I’m the most protective.”
“You’re eleven.”
“And?”
Brody looked directly at William “You hid our sister for almost a year?”
William returned his attention to them, his jaw tightened, but he did not become defensive “Yes.”
“That’s messed up,” Brody said.
“I know.”
“And you made her cry,” Caleb added.
“I know that too.”
“How many times?”
“Caleb,” you interrupted.
William answered anyway “More than I should have.”
“That means a lot,” Jagger said quietly.
William looked at him “Yes.”
Jagger had always been the least confrontational of your brothers, but there was something about his calm tone that made the question feel more serious “You knew she didn’t like hiding,” he continued.
William swallowed “I knew she was struggling with it.”
“But you kept doing it.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
William looked down briefly “Because I was scared.”
Brody scoffed “Of what?”
“People talking about us. People judging her because she was dating me. People deciding things about our relationship without knowing us.”
Landon’s expression remained hard “She’s Patrick Marleau’s daughter. People have been talking about her since she was born.”
“I understand that now.”
“You should have understood it before.”
“I should have.” William did not make excuses, he accepted every accusation because there was no defense that could make what he had done less painful.
Landon stepped closer to the doorway “You said you love her.”
William looked directly at him “I do.”
“Then why did you act like being seen with her was a problem?”
“I never thought she was the problem.”
“That’s how you made her feel.”
William’s face tightened “I know.”
Landon studied him silently, of all your brothers, he understood you best. There were only three years between you, and you had grown up more like best friends than siblings “If she gives you another chance,” Landon said, “you don’t get to act like she should be grateful you finally admitted she exists.”
“I won’t.”
“You don’t get to use one apology or one public post as proof that you’ve changed.”
“I know.”
“You have to prove it when there aren’t cameras.”
William nodded “I will.”
Brody moved beside Landon “And if another girl flirts with you—”
“Brody,” you groaned.
“You tell her you have a girlfriend,” Caleb finished.
“I will,” William promised.
“Immediately.”
“Immediately.”
“No smiling first.”
William blinked “I can’t control my face every second.”
“You can try.”
A small smile appeared on Jagger’s face, you folded your arms “Are you finished?”
“No,” Caleb said.
“Yes,” Landon said simultaneously.
Caleb turned toward him “I still have questions.”
“You’ve interrogated him enough.”
“I haven’t asked where he’s taking her.”
“We’re not going anywhere far,” you explained. “We’re going for a walk.” Every brother looked at William again.
“A walk where?” Brody asked.
“There’s a park nearby,” William said. “I thought somewhere quiet would be better so we could talk.”
“No restaurant?” Caleb asked suspiciously.
“No.”
“No expensive gifts?”
“No.”
“No photographers?”
“I hope not.”
Caleb narrowed his eyes “What are you going to do?”
“Talk to her.”
“That’s all?”
You pressed your fingers against your forehead “Caleb.”
William glanced toward you before answering “I’m going to try to fix what I broke.”
The room became quieter, even Caleb seemed to understand the weight of his answer. Landon finally stepped aside “You can go.”
William released a breath, Caleb lifted the small hockey stick and pointed it toward him “But if she comes home crying—”
“I know,” William said.
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
Caleb looked at you “You have your phone?”
“Yes.”
“Is it charged?”
“Yes.”
“Location on?”
“Caleb, I’m walking ten minutes away.”
“Dad says we protect you.”
Patrick, who had remained mostly silent during the interrogation, sighed “I did say that.”
“You created this,” you told him.
His mouth twitched “I’m beginning to understand that.”
William waited outside while you said goodbye.
When you stepped onto the porch, he looked at you as though he had been holding his breath since the door opened “Your brothers are terrifying.”
“You already knew that.”
“I underestimated how terrifying they are as a group.”
“They practiced.”
His eyebrows lifted “They practiced?”
“I heard them planning questions in the kitchen.”
William glanced toward the front window, four faces immediately disappeared. He shook his head “I’m never surviving family dinner again.”
“You have to be invited first.”
His expression became serious “I know.”
The words hung between you. You pulled your jacket closer around yourself and began walking.
William fell into step beside you.
For the first few minutes, neither of you spoke.
The park was only a few blocks from your parents’ house. It was quiet that afternoon, with only a few people walking dogs or pushing strollers along the paths.
The air was cold, but not unpleasant, William kept both hands inside his jacket pockets. You noticed immediately, normally, he would have reached for you.
A hand around yours, an arm across your shoulders. His fingers against the small of your back.
Today, he kept a careful distance.
It hurt, but you understood why, he did not know what he was allowed to do anymore “You can walk closer,” you eventually said.
William glanced toward you “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He moved until your shoulders nearly touched, not quite but close enough to feel his warmth.
“I’m sorry about my brothers.”
“Don’t be.”
“They were intense.”
“They love you.”
“They also think they’re bodyguards.”
“Caleb had a weapon.”
“It was a plastic hockey stick.”
“He looked ready to use it.”
You laughed softly, William looked at you. The sound faded when you noticed his expression “What?”
“I missed that.” Your smile disappeared, he looked away “I missed everything.”
You swallowed “It’s only been a week.”
“I know.”
“It shouldn’t feel that long.”
“It felt longer.” The two of you continued walking, William’s shoulder brushed yours accidentally, neither of you moved away “I meant what I said at the house,” he told you.
“Which part?”
“All of it.”
“That doesn’t narrow it down.”
He stopped walking, you took another step before turning toward him. William stood in the middle of the path, looking at you with an expression so open that it made your chest tighten “I want to fix this.”
“You can’t fix everything with one conversation.”
“I know.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because you’re right.”
You looked down, William took one cautious step closer “I don’t expect you to trust me today,” he said. “I don’t expect you to call me your boyfriend again because I told people about us.”
“Then what do you expect?”
“Nothing.”
You looked at him “I’m hoping,” he corrected. “But I don’t expect anything.”
“What are you hoping for?”
“Another opportunity.”
“To do what?”
“To love you properly.” your eyes burned, William’s voice softened “I thought I was protecting our relationship by keeping it away from everyone else. But I made you feel like you weren’t part of my real life.”
“That’s exactly how it felt.”
“I know.”
“You had me in your apartment, in your bed and in every private part of your life, but the second we went outside, I became Patrick’s daughter again.”
His jaw tightened “I hate that I did that.”
“You should.”
“I do.”
“You made everyone think you were single.”
“I know.”
“You let women flirt with you because telling them you had a girlfriend would have meant admitting I existed.”
“I never wanted them.”
“That isn’t the point.”
“I know.”
You turned away, blinking rapidly. William moved in front of you, he still did not touch you “I should have chosen you in that room,” he whispered.
A tear escaped before you could stop it, William noticed immediately. His hand lifted instinctively, but he stopped before touching your face “Can I?”
The question broke something inside you. For almost a year, he had touched you without hesitation because the two of you belonged to each other. Now he was asking permission to wipe away a tear, you nodded.
His fingertips moved gently beneath your eye, the contact was barely there. You closed your eyes, William’s palm remained against your cheek “I’m so sorry.”
“You really hurt me, Eky.”
“I know, baby.” The nickname slipped out naturally, his expression changed immediately, as though he was afraid he had overstepped but you leaned slightly into his palm before you could stop yourself.
William released a shaky breath “I don’t know how to stop loving you,” you whispered.
His eyes filled “I don’t want you to.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m ready to come back.”
“I understand.”
“I’m still angry.”
“You should be.”
“And embarrassed.”
His expression crumpled “You never had anything to be embarrassed about.”
“I was the girlfriend no one knew existed.”
“Because I was a coward.”
You looked at him “I’m not going to be that girl again.”
“You won’t.”
“How do I know?”
“You don’t.” His honesty surprised you, William lowered his hand “You don’t know yet,” he continued. “But I’ll prove it until you do.”
You stared at him for several seconds, then you began walking again. William joined you, this time, your hands brushed.
Once, then again, on the third time, his fingers moved slightly, as though he wanted to hold yours but was afraid.
You looked down at the space between your hands, then you turned your palm upward, William stopped breathing. His fingers slowly slid between yours, he held your hand carefully.
Not tightly enough to trap you, only enough to tell you he was there. The two of you continued down the path in silence, your heart was beating too quickly for such a simple gesture. You had held his hand hundreds of times in private, inside his apartment, in your car. Beneath blankets while watching movies.
But this felt different.
There were people around you, not many, but enough, an older couple passed, a woman jogged on the opposite side of the path.
Someone could have recognized him, William did not let go, instead, his thumb moved slowly across your knuckles “Are you scared?” you asked.
“Yes.” You turned toward him, he gave you a small, sad smile “But I’m more scared of losing you.”
You squeezed his hand, it was not forgiveness but it was something. The path eventually led toward a small pond surrounded by benches and trees.
William guided you toward one of the benches, you sat beside him, leaving only a small space between your bodies. For a few moments, you watched the water.
Then William turned toward you “Can I hug you?”
You swallowed “Yes.”
He moved slowly, the moment his arms wrapped around you, every defense you had tried to rebuild during the previous week weakened. You buried your face against his chest.
William held you tightly, not painfully, desperately. His face pressed into your hair as he exhaled “I missed you,” he whispered.
You gripped the back of his jacket “I missed you too.”
His arms tightened, the admission made you cry again, William felt it immediately “I’m sorry,” he repeated. “I’m so sorry.”
You stayed like that for a long time. Long enough for your breathing to become uneven. Long enough for the cold air to settle around you. Long enough to remember how safe his arms had once felt.
Eventually, you leaned back, William loosened his hold immediately, but his hands remained against your waist.
Your faces were close. Too close.
His gaze dropped toward your lips before returning to your eyes, he did not move “Can I kiss you?” he asked.
Your heart twisted “You’ve never asked before.”
“I don’t know what I’m allowed to do it, you broke up with me.”
The vulnerability in his voice hurt, you lifted a hand and rested it against his cheek. William turned his face into your palm “You can kiss me.”
He leaned toward you slowly, the kiss was gentle, tentative, nothing like the desperate kisses you had shared after arguments before, when he had used affection to convince you that everything would eventually be fine.
This kiss did not try to erase the hurt. It acknowledged it, his lips moved softly against yours, asking instead of taking. You kissed him back.
William’s hand moved from your waist to the side of your neck, his thumb resting beneath your jaw, when you separated, he kept his forehead against yours “I love you.”
“I love you too.” His eyes closed “But I’m still not ready to say we’re back together,” you added.
William nodded without moving away “I know.”
“I need time.”
“You can have all of it.”
“And I need you to understand that holding my hand in a park doesn’t fix the last year.”
“I understand.”
“But it matters.”
His eyes opened “Yeah?”
You looked down at your joined hands “You didn’t let go.”
“I won’t.”
Your gaze returned to him “You might need to sometimes.”
A faint smile touched his face “Then I’ll only let go when you ask me to.”
You leaned into him again, William wrapped one arm around your shoulders while his other hand remained linked with yours.
You stayed near the pond until the sky began to darken.
There was no expensive restaurant, no grand public announcement, no cameras waiting to capture the moment William Eklund tried to win you back.
It was only the two of you sitting on a cold bench, surrounded by strangers who did not matter.
William held your hand where anyone could see, he hugged you without looking over his shoulder, he kissed you without acting as though loving you was something dangerous.
It was not enough to repair everything but it was the first time his actions matched his promises. When you eventually walked back toward your parents’ house, William kept his fingers intertwined with yours the entire way.
Caleb was waiting at the front door, his eyes immediately dropped toward your hands. Then he studied your face “Did he make you cry?”
“A little,” you admitted, Caleb glared at William “But not in a bad way,” you added.
“I’m still watching you,” Caleb warned him.
William nodded “I know.”
“Did you kiss her?”
Your mouth fell open “Caleb!” William’s cheeks turned red, Caleb looked between the two of you and nodded knowingly “You did.”
“Go inside,” you ordered.
He opened the door “I’m telling Landon.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“There’s always something to tell.” Caleb disappeared into the house, William laughed softly beside you.
You looked at him.
For a moment, things felt almost normal, William lifted your joined hands and pressed a kiss against your knuckles “Can I see you again?”
You hesitated “Tomorrow?” hope appeared in his expression “For another walk,” you clarified.
“I’d like that.”
“It still isn’t a date.”
“I know.”
“And we’re still not officially back together.”
“I know.”
“But you can come at four.”
William smiled “I’ll be here.”
You released his hand and stepped toward the door, before going inside, you turned back. William remained on the porch, watching you openly.
He did not look away when the curtains moved and several members of your family appeared behind the window.
