Chapter 20 Elyse

I rush home from the office, my heart pounding with excitement. Today has been a whirlwind of emotions, and I can barely contain myself as I bound up the stairs to the apartment. The news I received is life-changing, but I can't wait to share it with Jack and Sam when they get home.

As I approach the door, I hear their voices from inside, and a knot of worry forms in my stomach. Why are they home so early from practice? I pause, hand on the doorknob, and strain to make out their words.

"I can't believe Coach is finally gone," says Sam with a mixture of relief and disbelief.

My breath catches in my throat. Coach Mathews? The man at the center of the Firebirds scandal?

Jack's gruff tones follow. "I know. After everything that's happened, I didn't think the team would actually take action."

I push open the door, my heart racing. Sam and Jack are seated on the couch, still in their practice gear. They turn to face me, surprise etched on their features.

"Elyse, you're home early," says Sam, rising to greet me with a hug.

"So are you." I return the embrace, my eyes never leaving Jack's intense gaze. "What's going on? What happened with Coach Mathews?"

Jack motions for me to join them on the couch. As I sink into the cushions, he takes my hand. "The owner came in during practice today. He put Reginald on immediate leave and announced he'd be settling Vince's lawsuit against him."

My jaw drops as the weight of Jack's words settles over me. "Vince is getting a settlement? From the team?"

Sam nods solemnly. "Apparently, it's a generous one too. The owner didn't mince words. He said Reginald would be on the hook for his part of the lawsuit, which hasn't been settled."

A triumphant grin spreads across my face as I squeeze Jack's hand. "This is incredible news. After everything Vince…you…went through because of that monster…"

Jack's expression remains guarded, a muscle twitching in his chiseled jaw. "I can't say I'm not relieved Reginald is gone, but part of me worries about what this means for the team going forward."

Leaning forward, I place my free hand on his knee, my eyes boring into his. "You know this is the right thing. With him out of the picture, you can finally heal—physically and emotionally."

His steely gaze softens as he studies my face. A ghost of a smile tugs at the corners of his lips. "I've been so focused on winning, I lost sight of what's really important." He pulls me into a fierce embrace, his lips brushing my ear. "Thank you for opening my eyes, Elyse. I don't know what I'd do without you."

As Jack holds me close, I catch Sam's eye over his shoulder. He winks at me, a proud grin spreading across his face. Everything feels right—the future is finally bright again.

The news of Reginald's dismissal and Vince's settlement is a weight lifted from our shoulders. Jack pulls me closer, his muscular arms enveloping me in a warm embrace. I inhale deeply, savoring the familiar blend of his cologne and the lingering scent of the ice rink.

"Can you believe it?" I say against the solid plane of his chest. "After everything we've been through, justice is finally served."

Jack's fingers trace soothing patterns along my back. "I know. Part of me still can't wrap my head around it." A rueful chuckle escapes his lips. "Who would've thought the team would actually listen to us?"

Sam rises from the couch, a broad grin stretching across his face. "I'm not surprised at all. You two make one hell of a team." He winks conspiratorially. "How about we celebrate this victory properly?"

Before I can respond, he disappears into the kitchen, emerging moments later with a bottle of red wine and three glasses. He sets them down on the coffee table with a flourish.

"A toast," he declares, pouring the deep crimson liquid into each glass. "To my sister, the fearless legal eagle who took on the big bad wolf." He raises his glass in my direction, his green eyes sparkling with humor.

Heat rushes to my cheeks as I accept the glass. "I couldn't have done it without you two." My gaze flicks to Jack, heart swelling with affection. "Especially you, Jack. You had the courage to stand up against Reginald, even when it put your career on the line."

Jack's steely eyes soften, and he leans in, his lips brushing my temple in a tender kiss. "You gave me that courage, Elyse. Without you, I might've stayed trapped in that toxic cycle until my shoulder failed completely."

A lump forms in my throat, and I blink back the tears threatening to spill over. Sam clears his throat, breaking the charged moment.

"Enough with the mushy stuff," he teases, grabbing a stack of takeout menus from the kitchen counter. "Let's order some grub and really get this party started."

As if on cue, my stomach rumbles, eliciting a peal of laughter from the three of us. I settle onto the couch, nestled between the two most important men in my life, and flip through the menus.

The decision is unanimous—pizza and wings, a celebratory feast fit for champions. Sam places the order while Jack refills our glasses, his arm draped casually around my shoulders. I lean into his solid warmth, relishing the simple intimacy of the moment.

As we wait for the food to arrive, the atmosphere is light. The doorbell rings, and Sam bounds up to retrieve our feast, returning with steaming boxes of pizza and a hefty platter of wings. We dig in with gusto, the tantalizing aromas filling the air and whetting our appetites.

Between bites, I share the news that's been burning on my tongue all evening. "I have something to tell you both."

Sam pauses mid-chew, his brows raised in curiosity. Jack's gaze is steady, unwavering.

"I received a job offer today," I say, unable to contain my smile. "From Morgan, Kobin, and Delvany. They want me to stay on as an investigative researcher while I finish my degree."

Sam lets out a whoop of delight, nearly upending his plate in his enthusiasm. "That's fantastic, sis. I knew those stuffed shirts would recognize your talents."

Jack's reaction is more subdued, but no less meaningful. He takes my hand in his, his calloused thumb caressing my knuckles. "Congratulations, Elyse. You've more than earned this opportunity."

I squeeze his hand, my heart swelling with gratitude. "There's more. They've agreed to help cover the costs of law school if I perform well enough in this role."

Sam's eyes widen comically. "No way? That's incredible."

I nod, barely able to contain my excitement. "It means I can stay in Seattle, at least for the foreseeable future."

The implication hangs in the air, unspoken but understood. Jack's arm tightens around me, pulling me flush against his side. His lips graze my temple once more, a silent promise lingering in the tender gesture.

Jack wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, a contemplative look in his steel-gray eyes. "Since we're sharing news, there's something I need to tell you as well."

I lean forward with anticipation. Jack's expression is unreadable, a mask of stoicism concealing whatever thoughts lurk beneath.

He takes a deep breath, his broad chest expanding. "The team owner pulled me aside after ending practice early today. He insisted I take some time off to see a specialist about my shoulder."

A knot of worry forms in the pit of my stomach. Jack has been downplaying his injury for months with gruff assurances. To hear the owner himself intervening fills me with a sense of vindication…and dread. "That's great news, Jack." I reach across the couch, my fingers grazing the taut muscles of his forearm. "You need to get that shoulder looked at properly. No more ignoring it."

A muscle twitches in his jaw. "I know. Believe me." His gaze meets mine, a flicker of vulnerability passing through those stormy depths. "It wasn't just because of Mathews that I've been avoiding a specialist. I was afraid of what they might find and of being sidelined for good."

My heart clenches at the raw emotion in his voice. I scoot closer, our thighs brushing as I take his calloused hand in mine. "I don't think that'll happen, but if it does, I'm here for you."

The corners of Jack's mouth quirk upward in a faint smile. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, Elyse."

Heat blooms in my cheeks at his tender words. Before I can respond, Sam emerges from the kitchen, a fresh beer in hand. "What's going on, you two? You both look like someone died."

Jack shoots my brother a wry look. "Not quite. I was just telling Elyse that the owner is forcing me to take some time off to get my shoulder checked out."

Understanding dawns on Sam's face. He settles into the armchair across from us, taking a sip of his drink. "Ah, I see. Well, it's about damn time if you ask me."

"This is for the best, Jack, I promise." I give him a gentle look full of reassurance.

Jack's expression softens as he gazes at me, a tender light in his eyes. "I know."

Before I can question his meaning, he leans in, capturing my lips in a searing kiss. My eyes flutter closed as I melt into his embrace, the world around us fading away. In this moment, there is only Jack—his warmth, his strength, his unwavering devotion.

A pointed cough shatters the intimate spell. We break apart, both of us flushed, to find Sam watching us with an amused smirk.

"Get a room, you two," he teases, taking another pull from his beer.

I duck my head, fighting back a grin. Jack merely chuckles, draping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me close.

"Don't mind if we do," he rumbles, pressing a kiss to my temple.

Sam groans in mock disgust, but I can see the happiness shining in his eyes. In that moment, everything feels right. "Later," I say. "I want to finish eating and hear about your meeting with the owner."

As Jack shares the details of his meeting with the owner, I'm hanging on his every word.

"…so the owner was adamant. He said he wouldn't risk losing me permanently over something as foolish as ignoring an injury." Jack shakes his head, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "Apparently, he had words with Reginald about pressuring players to perform through injuries before putting him on leave."

Sam lets out a low whistle. "Damn. I didn't think the old man had it in him to stand up to that prick."

Jack nods his agreement. "Anyway, the owner made it clear that I'm to take as much time as I need to get this shoulder properly evaluated and treated. No arguments."

Relief courses through me, tempering the lingering concern over Jack's well-being. At least now he'll be getting the care that vile excuse for a coach had been denying him. "I'm so glad, Jack," I say, resting my head against his solid chest. "You have no idea how worried I've been."

His arm tightens around me. "I know, sweetheart, and I'm sorry for putting you through that."

I tilt my head back to meet his gaze, my heart swelling with affection for this gruff, stubborn man. "Just promise me you'll listen to the doctors, okay? No more pushing yourself past your limits."

Jack's expression grows solemn, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that steals my breath. "I promise."

I lean up and brush my lips against his, a soft, lingering kiss that speaks volumes.

Sam clears his throat, a teasing lilt to his voice. "You two lovebirds about done? I don't want to vomit up the pizza and wings I just scarfed down."

I laugh at my brother's antics, even as Jack grumbles good-naturedly. In this moment, with these two next to me, everything feels right with the world.