Epilogue

EPILOGUE

TIMOTHY

Since Christmas, life has been damn near perfect. I feel like I’m floating on cloud nine.

Of course, life has to throw curve balls my way when that happens.

It starts the night of the first finals game the Bears are playing. I decided to show up and show out for my man tonight by donning one of his old jerseys. Unfortunately, the color is spot on to match that of the opposing team. I’ve faced a lot of animosity since arriving at the stadium.

Even when I show the name on the back, they still scowl like I’ve dishonored the Bears by wearing the coach's jersey from when he played.

Ugh. Fans can be feral.

I’m moping in a tucked away corner by the bleachers when Jake pops up out of nowhere, giving me a heart attack.

“JESUS!”

“This isn’t a church, bestie. Though, I do know some people who worship here like it is.” He snickers at his joke.

I wave away the remark. “Why did you sneak up on me?”

“Because I had to bring you this. No need to hide anymore!” He pushes a gift bag my way.

Inside, I find a Bears jersey with Luke’s old number on it. I smirk at it, but it quickly turns to pure glee when I flip it around to look at the name on back.

Rather than it saying Swift like it normally would, it’s emblazoned with the words PROPERTY OF COACH.

“Figured you might like the whole ownership thing. Pretty hot, huh?”

At his raised brows, I bite my lip and nod. “It is,” I admit.

“Let’s get you changed. You need to get back to your spot behind the bench so Coach can focus. The man is ready to throw the game to find you at this point.”

Panic tears through me. “Oh, shit. I didn’t think he’d notice.”

“Not notice? Did you forget the man is utterly obsessed with you? Come on. We’ll duck into a bathroom really quick.”

Following Jake’s lead, I quickly switch the jerseys, then I huff it back to the seat I normally occupy. I’m not sure when I started calling it mine, only that it is without a doubt for me and me alone. I take up residence here for every game and watch the magic that is Luke Swift, masterful coach of the Bellport Bears.

Luke is so wrapped up in the game he doesn’t realize I’m there at first. It’s not until there’s a break in play and the camera pans to him that he sees.

And like the loving boy I am, I turn right as he looks back. The smile that lights up his face at seeing what I’m wearing is blinding.

“Love you,” he mouths, granting me those words for the first time.

“Love you too.” I mimic the motion, tilting my head slightly to add the Daddy part since we’re on camera and it might not go over too well. As owner, Jake couldn't care less, but the major networks could definitely throw a hissy.

Plus, kink time needs consent.

Daddy has made that abundantly clear. I shouldn’t push my kinks on anyone else, nor should they force theirs on me. And sometimes that means giving him a hint of his moniker instead of outright saying it.

We’re so focused on each other; it takes a minute to realize play has started up again. Daddy turns to face the ice. From my spot, I can see just enough to know we’re in an intense play.

Then again, the Bears are gunning for a repeat. They want the win.

But others want to take them down.

There’s a collective gasp across the crowd. Daddy leans over the guys on the bench, his mouth open as he yells at someone.

I watch the replay on the jumbo screens. Oh, no.

Someone from the opposing team was aiming for the goal and didn’t stop in enough time. They took out Chavez with a brutal hit, knocking him and the net back against the boards.

It’s the dirtiest hit to a goalie I’ve ever seen.

As the replay continues, I see Davies rushing over to the scene. Then he’s grabbing the guy who hit Chavez and wailing on him.

Blood.

So much blood.

Damn. This isn’t good.

There’s more of an uproar as the screen cuts out and piles of men take to fighting on the ice. The refs are trying to break it up, but the chaos is substantial.

No one touches the goalie. Those are the rules.

And playoff game or not, our guys seem intent on getting vengeance.

Meanwhile, Chavez is sitting up and talking to the team doctors like there isn’t absolute carnage happening around them. Hockey is so weird sometimes.

Still, there’s nothing quite like it.

I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. After all, it’s what brought me my Daddy.

**Keep going for a bonus scene from Bellamy’s POV. **

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