Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Whitney

The arena thrummed with the sounds of skate blades carving into ice, sticks smacking pucks during warm-ups, and rock music pumping up the players and fans alike. The familiar scents of hot dogs, ketchup, and refrigerant mingled in the thick air, and excited chatter rose around Gramps and me. I steadied him with a hand on his arm and helped him settle into his seat.

Hope leaned forward. "I'm going to get popcorn. Want some?"

"Thanks! We'll take two, without salt. And two bottles of water." I was on a new medicine for my seizures and had had no prodromes, which was good news. But I was careful with my seizure triggers, including drops in blood sugar levels. I pulled cash out of my purse and handed it to Hope.

"Back in a bit." She darted up the stairs.

When she returned with a cardboard tray of popcorn and drinks, I reached out to grab our food. She squealed, her eyes wide .

I startled and jerked back. "What's wrong?" My heart tripped.

She shoved the tray of food onto the first chair and slid into the seat beside me. "Let me see your ring!"

I grinned and warmth flooded through me at the memory of Hudson's proposal. We'd celebrated by making love, waking multiple times throughout the night to come together again. Our passion was sometimes slow and sensual, and at other times fast-paced and urgent. Hudson had whistled as he left for morning skate. Heat crept up my cheeks, but Hope didn't notice. She was holding my hand and examining the ring. The extravagant, round-cut diamond solitaire sparkled in the spotlights.

Hope's gaze rose to mine, her blue eyes twinkling. "It complements your diamond wedding band perfectly," she breathed.

I admired the set and couldn't wipe the grin off my face. "I didn't want to be a burden on Hudson's career. But when he got down on one knee and proposed again in front of Gramps, I finally understood his love and commitment to me." My heart sang and my stomach fluttered. "We're going to renew our vows this summer."

"Where's my popcorn?" Gramps grumbled, breaking the moment.

We broke apart, chuckling, and distributed the food. The lights dimmed, the crowd roared, and the game started. From the first puck drop, the two teams battled for every play, every shot, every goal. Players flew up and down the ice at impossible speeds, rifled passes, and fought for the puck against the boards. Chests heaved, and sweat dripped off faces as both teams gave it their all. Beck, Chase, and Derek scored goals. Despite Hudson's best efforts, Colorado found the back of the net twice.

With the score three to two in favor of the Blazers, Bowen went to the penalty box for tripping with ninety seconds left in the game. The audience bellowed its displeasure at the referee. The Blazers struggled with their defense. Colorado controlled the puck in front of the Blazers' net, bombarding Hudson with shot after shot. He blocked each one. The fans took to their feet, the sizzling tension in the arena raising the hair on my arms. With seconds left, Hudson miscalculated the play, and Colorado's captain took a shot at an inadvertent opening.

Hudson stretched, throwing his entire body into the effort.

And caught the puck in his glove before it landed in the net.

I couldn't have been prouder of my husband or more thrilled for him.

The Blazers won Round Two of the playoffs.

The blaring horn marked the end of the game, and the crowd exploded in a thundering uproar. The goal horn blasted again and again, drowning out the rock song thumping from the huge speakers in the rafters.

The girlfriends and I shared hugs, tears, and high-fives. Even Gramps stood and slapped some hands. My heart cartwheeled as the team congratulated Hudson on the ice. He looked up into the stands, and I waved, a huge grin on my face. He tapped his heart with his glove in salute. Butterfly wings fluttered in my tummy.

Once the teams shook hands and the celebration died down, Hope called, "See everyone at Scrimmage's!" A chorus of cheers responded, including my "Woo-hoo!"

After the crowd thinned out, I helped Gramps climb the stairs and guided him to the car. I slid into the back seat with him, and Steve dropped me off at the sports bar. The main bar teemed with lively revelry, the noise level of cheering, chatter, and rock music rivaling the arena. I threaded my way through the mob to the back patio, where the hostess welcomed me by name.

I joined my friends Hope, Emily, Avery, and Brynn, and ordered a virgin mojito from Parker. Despite the music coming from strategically placed speakers, it was less noisy on the patio than inside the bar. We could converse freely about their boyfriends' goals, questionable calls by the referees and linesmen, and Hudson's game-winning catch while waiting for the team to arrive. Avery even took a moment to check on Xavier with a quick text to her nanny. When Parker delivered my drink, the refreshing flavors of mint and tart lime fizzed on my tongue and cooled my throat, which was raw from cheering.

As the players trickled in, our gazes were fixed on the doorway in anticipation. My veins buzzed with excitement.

Derek and Luc arrived first, greeting their girlfriends with enthusiastic kisses. Beck and Chase came next, smooching their women.

And then there was Hudson. My heart raced as I spotted him entering the bar and jogging straight toward me. He scooped me into his arms, spun us around, and called out, "I love my wife!"

I threw my head back and laughed, clutching Hudson's shoulders. Our friends chuckled at his cheesy antics, unaware that this declaration was a new revelation for both of us. He placed me on my feet and seared me to my toes with a kiss. A thrill rolled through my tummy. Breaking the kiss, he whispered against my mouth, "I love you. That last catch was for you."

"It was amazing. Congrats on the win." I pecked his soft lips. "I love you, too."

With a devilish glint in his eye, he released me. He climbed onto a nearby chair, raised his arms, and yelled, "I'm getting married! Again! "

"Once wasn't enough?" Derek called out, and laughter rose around the room.

Hudson pointed at Derek. "Smart-ass." He opened his arms wide. "Drinks are on me!" The crowd erupted in a raucous cheer.

He jumped down, a broad grin on his face, and gathered me into his arms. I gazed into his warm brown eyes. The room fell away, and it was just the two of us in a bubble. I placed my hand over his heart, my chest light.

He sobered. "When I proposed our arrangement, I was bitter about love. But through your kindness, generosity, and affection, you showed me what true love is. I couldn't help but fall for you. You turned our marriage of convenience into a marriage of love."

He winked playfully before adding with a grin, "How convenient for us."