Leah Brunner > Quotes

“This one also has Anderson on the back, because I’d die before I saw this woman wear anyone’s jersey but mine.”
― Leah Brunner, Desire or Defense

“Because family looks different for everyone. Sometimes it’s not the family you’re born into, but the one you build. The one you work for. And this is mine.”
― Leah Brunner, Desire or Defense

“I realize… she's hugging me. An affectionate, comfortable feeling envelops me. This is the hug I’ve waited for all my life. Right here, with this girl. A hug that makes up for a lifetime of not being held, not being loved, not being enough. This is the hug to end all hugs. But I definitely want more hugs in the future, and only from this woman. I’m not sure I’ll ever get enough hugs after this. I decide right in this moment, that if by some miracle I ever have children, I will hug them, and hug them often. What a simple, but life-changing gesture. Kissing is great… epic… amazing. But hugs are severely underrated.”
― Leah Brunner, Desire or Defense

“What makes you think that me working with children would be a good idea? I don’t even like humans that are fully grown.”
― Leah Brunner, Desire or Defense

“I keep scrolling and come across a book titled “Mighty Pucks.” I read the first sentence of the description and discover it is a romance, but it’s about a professional hockey player… so how bad could it be?”
― Leah Brunner, Desire or Defense

“Focus on what you can do in the situation. Not what you can’t control. Love is risky, Mitch. You can’t make someone stay. But you can put in the work, and you can communicate with her.”
― Leah Brunner, Desire or Defense

“You really like my last name, don’t you?” “Not as much as I like mine.” He pauses, and when he speaks again, I can hear the smile in his deep voice. “I could give you my last name, you know.”
― Leah Brunner, Flirtation or Faceoff

“It would be my honor to stay. I’ll stay forever. I’ll stay for eternity.”
― Leah Brunner, Betrothal or Breakaway

“decide right in this moment, that if by some miracle I ever have children, I will hug them, and hug them often. What a simple, but life-changing gesture.”
― Leah Brunner, Desire or Defense

“If she thinks me driving is spoiling her, then her eyes are about to be opened to a whole new universe. Because I’m about to spoil the hell out of this woman, the way I’ve always wanted to.”
― Leah Brunner, Betrothal or Breakaway

“That’s the thing about trauma; once you feel like you’re safely back on land after treading water and managing not to drown, you get pulled right back out into the rough waters to do it all over again.”
― Leah Brunner, House Mate

“Whether we like it or not, our past is part of us. But we can move forward, together.”
― Leah Brunner, Flirtation or Faceoff

“Being hockey players, we’re not always recognized—unless we’re in Canada.”
― Leah Brunner, Betrothal or Breakaway

“Not sure the ladies in here can handle Ford Remington, NHL captain, and America’s heartthrob, holding a baby. You’re going to be the cause of many swoons. Possibly even fainting.”
― Leah Brunner, Betrothal or Breakaway

“I look at Ronda, her royal-blue scrubs identical to mine.”
― Leah Brunner, Desire or Defense

“She has more passion inside of her pinky finger than most people have in their entire being…and she’s all mine.”
― Leah Brunner, Rookie Season

“Noah Downsby, you’re just a big softy, aren't you?” Only for beautiful dancers who bake delicious cookies.”
― Leah Brunner, Rookie Season

“Why do men age so well? Or are they just allowed to age, and women aren’t?”
― Leah Brunner, Betrothal or Breakaway

“But if a short king makes her happy, who am I to judge?”
― Leah Brunner, Betrothal or Breakaway

“I just want to help. I have millions of dollars sitting in my bank account and she needs money. Problem solved!”
― Leah Brunner, Betrothal or Breakaway

“Penn huffs a laugh. “I’ve never seen you flustered over a girl like this.” “I didn’t know you were even capable of looking at girls in the same affectionate way you look at your hockey stick,” Fisher adds,”
― Leah Brunner, Rookie Season

“my cat is now my best friend and closest confidante, and I really don’t want him to be pissed at me. He’s the only toxic man I’m willing to put up with.”
― Leah Brunner, Rookie Season

“No, if he was really into someone, he’d be all, this is my woman. No one touches her.”
― Leah Brunner, Desire or Defense

“He’s twenty-two years old.” She says this like being twenty-two makes a person an ancient, sage-like being. “That’s very, very old,” I agree, matching her solemn expression. “How old are you?” “Also very old—almost twenty-one.” “Wow!” She exclaims.”
― Leah Brunner, Rookie Season

“Never mind that Ally was on my mind for hours, the events of the night playing in a loop on repeat at the forefront of my brain. First, it was strange that Fisher—designated house party animal and wild child—was prepared to call off the entire party the second he looked at Ally after the game. What was that about? And then, when I saw Sandine closing in on her, it looked like she was shaking. And while she stood her ground, chin tilted defiantly as she stared up at my drunken teammate, her body language was tense. Rigid. Afraid. I know fight or flight mode when I see it. And she flinched when I touched her arm. Flinched. Like she thought I might hurt her…but then, when she saw it was my hand on her arm, sheer relief washed over her features. What the hell had that asshole said to her? I have no idea what caused her panic, but I do know I never want to see that look on her face ever again—because seeing her like that made me want to punch Sandine square in the face.”
― Leah Brunner, Rookie Season

“Her hug feels like home. There is simply nothing that compares to the bond of a childhood friend–a friend I grew up with, who knows everything about me.”
― Leah Brunner, Running Mate

“Fine,” I tell her with an annoyed sigh. But I love using my label maker, so I don’t really mind.”
― Leah Brunner, Check Mate

“I’m lying on my back on Mitch and Andie’s sectional while my two younger nieces, Laini and Harlow, are playing spa. I won’t lie; it’s nice to lay here after a long practice this morning. If Laini wasn’t currently painting my fingernails, or if Harlow wasn’t rubbing some strange gunk on my face, I’d probably be asleep. Whatever product is being smeared across my forehead smells like cotton candy and I can only assume it has glitter in it. I’m going to need another shower when I arrive back at the loft tonight. Mitch is on the back deck grilling burgers, and Andie should be home from picking up Paige after dance class any minute now. “Okay, done!” Laini announces. I peel one of the cucumbers off my eye and bring my hand up to see the damage. My nails are painted bright purple. “It matches the purple on your hockey jersey!” Laini says, looking so proud of herself. She runs a hand through her tangled blonde hair, which leaves a streak of purple nail polish. Hopefully that’s easy to get out… I smile. “It really does. Good work.” She preens, eyeing her youngest sister. “Did ya hear that Harlow? Uncle Noah likes his nails.” Harlow pouts, removing my other cucumber and looking down at me with her big, brown eyes. “Uncle Noah, did you like your facial, too?” “Of course,” I say with conviction. “Best facial I've ever had.” It’s not a lie, because this is my first facial. Harlow beams, showing off the gap where she lost her two front teeth. She pops a fist onto her hip. “Best facial he’s ever had.”
― Leah Brunner, Rookie Season

“Everyone leaves, and she will too. She’ll figure out that I’m not worth the drama, that her life will be better off without me. She’ll find a nice guy and settle down in the suburbs where they’ll raise Noah and drink pina coladas and have a labradoodle. And I freaking hate that guy. I hate him with every fiber of my being, whoever he is. As much as I love punching people, there’s no one I’ve ever wanted to punch more than this imaginary man who’s going to marry the love of my life.”
― Leah Brunner, Desire or Defense

“He doesn’t act like he wants one night with you. He acts like he wants all the nights with you.”
― Leah Brunner, Flirtation or Faceoff