My Hockey Alpha by Eve Above Story PDF

Chapter 0479

Nina

The air was thick with laughter and clinking glasses, everyone ecstatic over the end of another grueling semester.

Lori, Jessica, and a handful of others from our pre-med program had gathered in my living room to celebrate our triumphs, academic and otherwise. The room was a vibrant mixture of color, laughter, and flashing smartphone cameras capturing a moment we would hopefully all remember.

Just as the laughter reached another crescendo, I slipped into the kitchen, my eyes darting over the array of chips, cookies, and assorted finger foods spread across the counter.

As much as I loved my friends and their vibrant energy, I felt an inexplicable pull toward solitude, even if only for a moment. I reached for some chips, contemplating how this room had morphed into a sanctuary from the noise and mirth that filled the living room.

Suddenly, callused hands covered my eyes, plunging me into playful darkness. "Guess who?" a familiar voice whispered.

A chuckle escaped my lips. "Hmm, let's see...Ryan Gosling? Chris Hemsworth? Oh, wait, it must be Zac Efron!"

The hands lifted, and I was spun around to face my grinning husband. "As much as I wish I had the abs of any of those guys, sorry to disappoint."

"Never a disappointment," I shot back, feeling a warmth spread through me, soothing the jagged edges of my unsettled thoughts. I playfully ran my hand along Enzo's midsection, feeling the muscles beneath his shirt. "Your abs are even better."

Suddenly, Enzo pulled one hand from behind his back to produce a small box with a lid. He held it out to me with a sheepish grin on his face like a child who had just picked his mom a flower, roots and all.

this?" I asked, my heart skipping a

a little something to commemorate your acceptance into medical school," he said, handing me the box. My fingers gingerly opened the tiny case to reveal an intricately designed locket, a swirl of silver that seemed to capture the moonlight. When I popped it open, inside were pictures of us-a selfie of us taken overlooking the cliff behind

watered as I studied the tiny pictures

I?" he asked, gesturing to put

my hair to give him access to my neck. I felt the delicate chain slide around me, followed by his fingers expertly fastening the clasp. His touch lingered for a moment longer, sending a shiver

he said, his eyes meeting

a moment, I considered taking it a few steps further right there in the kitchen,

the

my cheek against his chest to hear

you," he replied, his arms enveloping me in

Jessica's voice broke through our reverie. "Another round of shots!" I looked up to see her standing over by the bar in our living room, holding a tray above her head while people cheered in

fun," he said, before grabbing a beer from the fridge and slipping out into the backyard to be

liquid warmth cascaded down my throat, a

was still feeling intermittently sick. It must have been food poisoning, but it was strange food

my thoughts were interrupted when the door creaked open. Enzo peeked in, his eyes immediately narrowing in concern. "Hey," he said softly, sitting

I lied, trying to muster a smile. "I just needed to rest for

sighed, his eyes searching mine. "Nina, I've seen you pull all-nighters, down energy drinks like water, and still be the life of the party. This doesn't

it doesn't feel like normal

should do it. But if you're still feeling like this in a

heightened; I could hear the rustling of leaves outside, the distant hoot of an owl, even Enzo's soft, gentle breathing