Epilogue

"Didyou really skate headfirst into the glass? Like no one pushed you?" I stood in front of Aiden Langfield, the center for the Bolts, as he turned his head slowly from one side to the other, careful not to go too fast. The team doctor had already assessed him for a concussion and determined that it was mild, but he could still play. Hockey players were crazy like that. I just needed to make sure he hadn't injured anything in his neck or shoulders when he went full-on into the glass of his own accord. And not even during the game.

He shrugged. "Shit happens."

Everyone joked that nothing bothered Aiden. And injury was nothing new to the man. Beckett was right when he said these guys hit their heads all the damn time. Between that and their neck and shoulder issues from the constant stick work, they kept me busy. But I'd loved the transition to the Bolts. The sound of the door opening caught my attention, and I turned to see Beckett step into the small training room, crossing his arms as he stared at his little brother.

"Doc says you have a mild concussion. You can't stay alone and Jill's out of town. We need to find someone for you to stay with to monitor it." He looked at me like I had the answer to that problem.

Oh no. Although Mason's concussion did bring us back together again, babysitting another professional sports player was not on my to-do list. And Mason's season had just ended, so I was enjoying us both being home together every night.

"Good thing there are so many of you Langfields." Surely one of Aiden's four siblings could babysit.

"Yeah, I'll put him with Gavin." Beckett smirked at the idea of pawning off his baby brother on a different sibling. "He'll love that."

I wasn't even going to ask if he planned to ask his permission. Beckett never asked anyone but his wife Liv about anything.

After I finished checking over Aiden, I made my way back up to the suite where my parents, Mason, and a few of the guys from the Revs were watching the game. Mason, being his usual over-the-top self, had bought season tickets at Bolts Arena so he and my parents could attend any games they wanted. And he'd made sure to make it to some around his baseball schedule already.

The minute I stepped inside the room, Mason pulled me into his arms and pressed his lips to my forehead. "How's Langfield?" he mumbled against my skin.

"Fine. Apparently, he just skated into the wall."

He chuckled. "Yeah, he was staring across the ice and just ran headfirst into the glass. Dude was in a trance."

"Not nearly as good as your stories of amazing flying catches. Like our personal super jet." Emerson put his arms out and mimicked an airplane soaring around. He only made it about three steps before he crashed into the half wall and teetered. His girl grabbed his shirt and yanked him so he didn't fall out the open window. Those two were definitely a pair. Black cat and golden retriever all the way.

Mason draped his arm around my shoulders. Regardless of whether it had been minutes, hours, or days, any time we were reunited, he was quick to pull me into his side. Even at home. It wasn't surprising that we were already living together.

Within weeks of my move to the Bolts, Mason had me spending most nights with him when he was in town. We were both busy, and neither of us got home before ten on game days, so by the end of August, I gave in to his begging and officially made his place our place.

"At least we don't have to worry about you getting hurt for a few months."

Mason shook his head.

"Speaking of hurt, how's our center doing?" My dad looked up from where he sat at the counter that lined the front of the suite. The first time my dad watched a game from up here, he was like a little kid. It was a preseason game, but he acted like it was the Super Bowl.

"Langfield's okay. Just a mild concussion. They're letting him play."

He nodded, humming thoughtfully at the news. I wasn't surprised. Aiden was one of our best players, and if we had any shot at the cup this year, we couldn't afford to lose him.

"Hopefully the Bolts' season ends better than ours did." Mason settled on the stool by my dad and pulled me to stand between his thighs.

I glanced up at him. "I'm still surprised you all are taking the playoff loss so well."

He shrugged a shoulder. "There's always next season. And now I get to be home with you."

Although the night that ended their season had been intense, since then, all the guys seemed to be settling into the offseason and were happy to spend more time with their families.

"Avery and Damiano can focus on planning their wedding now." He nodded across the room to where the couple was chatting, totally engrossed in one another.

"You guys are going to be next, right?" Dad frowned at Mason. He didn't love the fact that we'd moved in together with no plan, but I didn't need marriage to know Mason was my future. We'd get there eventually.

"Nope." Emerson jumped in and wrapped his arm around his girlfriend, tucking her into his side. "I'm definitely next."

"No you're not." She pushed him away and whacked him in the stomach.

"I warned you when we moved in together that this was the next step." He laughed, not at all fazed by her death glare. "I'm not gonna keep stealing free milk."

"Jesus," Damiano muttered.

Mason's chuckle echoed against my ear. "I love these assholes almost as much as I love you."

I couldn't fight my smile.

"Fair warning, Humpty," Mason said, "we're definitely next. Gotta make sure Humpty Dumpty stays together for the rest of forever."