42. Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Two

Three Months Later...

I t's the last game of the regular season, and I can feel everyone's nerves. We need to win this one if we want to make it to the playoffs. I take a deep breath as I wait in the crowd for the players to be announced. Danni said that I needed to be part of the fans for the last game, so I could cheer on my boys.

I'd wanted to argue but the look on Dean and Mac's face at her suggestion had me thinking better of it. She'd done amazing taking care of my guys, and I hoped I'd done the same for her.

Daisy bumps my shoulder as she holds her daughter Aspyn on her shoulder. "Should I really be here?"

I snort as I take in both her jersey as well as Aspyn's. Daisy is sporting the number nineteen on her back which happens to be Vicy's number, while Aspyn is wearing number eight for Taz. They are going to lose their shit when they see these two wearing their numbers.

They know exactly where I'm sitting because I'd told Dean and Mac where I would be. I point to her jersey, then Aspyn's. "They will love that you are supporting them."

She bites her lip and huffs. "This doesn't mean I like them, okay."

I grin as I placate her with a nod. "Of course, it doesn't. My mistake." I doubt the guys will see it that way. As if on cue, music blares through the speakers, and they begin announcing the players. I play with the bracelets on my wrist. I didn't put them on the carabiner like I normally do, wanting to use them to distract me from my nerves.

Ford—our left wing, and Samy—our defenseman, are announced as they skate out, and the crowd goes wild. The night is special and helps boost the crowd. We have home team advantage, and we want this win. Vicy is announced, and it takes him a few minutes to find me in the crowd. He grins before his eyes shift to the woman beside me, and his eyes widen. He skates over until he's against the boards and bangs on the glass.

I laugh when he points to Daisy's jersey, yelling, "That's my number!"

Daisy's eyes are wide as she takes in Vicy's excitement. His gaze shifts to me as he yells again, "That's my number!"

I nod with a laugh. "I know!"

He begins skating backward, pointing at Daisy. "I'll make sure to win for you!"

"I didn't expect him to be that excited," she whisper-yells because the crowd is rowdy tonight.

I shake my head. "Then you haven't been paying attention to how much that man likes you."

She doesn't get a moment of rest before Taz is announced next, and it doesn't take long for him to spot us. He grins when he sees Daisy and Aspyn. His eyes are locked on Aspyn as he yells, "You cheering for me, little one?"

Aspyn squeals, "Tazzy!"

He's smiling widely as he backs away. "I'll get you a puck after the game, Aspyn!"

She squeals again, clapping her little hands. "Mommy! Did you hear that? He's going to get me my very own puck!"

Daisy smiles and replies, "I heard, baby girl."

Lewi and Oli are announced and they quickly skate by, blowing me a kiss. My heart starts to race as everyone gets into position for the faceoff. The puck drops, the game begins, and then we lose the puck. The away team's center, number thirty-four, shoots it back to one of their defensemen, number eighty-four, before he passes it to their left wing, number twenty-one, making it cross the blue line before dumping the puck into the far corner. Our defense tries to keep him off Oli as they chase the right wing, number fifty-seven, who now has the puck. Taz and Samy work as a team to avoid letting him have a direct shot.

He attempts the shot, but Oli anticipates the quick top-shelf shot and saves it with an amazing catch. Our team gets the puck, and Ford tries to get out from behind our post as their number twenty-one forces us back. Ford is slammed into the boards, but he refuses to give up the puck as he forces his way around and slaps it toward Vicy.

Vicy slaps it down the ice racing after it. The other team's second defenseman, seventy-two, races after Vicy. Seventy-two manages to get the puck, but Vicy slams him into the boards and steals it from him. Vicy passes it to Lewi, who manipulates the stick and puck to line up the perfect shot, making the buzzer sound and Burn it by The Fever 33 explodes around us. Cheers echo around the rink as Lewi lifts a hand in victory.

The first period ends in a draw, each team with a single goal. The next period is brutal with us down a player for a bit due to injury. Ford got slammed into the boards too hard, which smashed his hand between his body and the boards. The medics were quick to take him off the ice, and Danni evaluated him while the game continued. The other team became savage as we each fought to get an edge in the second period. The puck managed to slip right between Oli's legs before he could block it, giving them the lead. It's time for our fifteen-minute break, and the guys were all panting as they step off the ice.

I'm pretty sure the nails on both of my thumbs have been obliterated by all the nail-biting I've done. We need to score two goals in period three to win. I see the fire in our team's eyes as the last period begins. Our boys will leave everything out on the ice as they fight and claw to get the puck through those white posts.

Ford and Vicy work together to get Lewi down the ice. Taz and Samy pushing everyone they can away. While all eyes are on Lewi, he quickly passes it to Ford as he makes his way behind the net. Ford passes it back to Lewi, before he slaps it to Vicy, who manages to strike it right into the corner of the goal post.

Power Ride by Fred Coury blasts through the speakers as Ford and Lewi attack Vicy with a hug. With only a few minutes left on the clock, I watch the opposing team's goalkeeper go to the bench for an extra attacker. I know this is a common tactic, and I hope it works in our favor.

The puck is dropped in the center of the ice, and we win possession. I watch in suspense as a battle rages along the boards in the back corner of the opposite end. I bite my lip in worry, hoping we can score while their net is empty. It's hard to make out whats happening on the other end until the other team manages to shoot the puck down the ice. I watch as it flies down the ice toward Oli.

The puck slows, and Oli gathers as he skates a few feet away from his post. He waits a few seconds to let the clock run down, then scoops the puck into a lifting pass down the ice to get it over the oncoming players. I gasp as I watch the perfect pass as it slides past the defense. I hold my breath as I watch the puck fly down the ice, the opposing team fighting to get to it in time. Their goal is completely empty. Time seems to slow as seconds feel like minutes.

The puck slides into the net and Popular Monster by Falling in Reverse explodes from the speakers. GOALIE GOAL! It was a fucking goalie goal for the win! I jump up and down, screaming as our boys' attack Oli.

When I look up, I see there are only ten seconds left on the clock. The guys line up for a face off, and the puck drops. Before the puck makes it too far down the ice, the horn blasts, echoing around the rink. The clock hits zero, and we win the game! The Washington Wraiths are going to the playoffs! It's almost deafening how loud everyone is screaming before they disperse to drink and be merry about our win. I grab Daisy's hand and usher her toward the exit that leads to the locker room.

The hallway close to the locker room is clear, and I stop when I see Dean standing there getting berated and lectured by his father. I whisper to Daisy, "Go ahead of me."

She gives me a questioning look but nods. I turn my attention back to my boyfriend. He doesn't appear to be listening to a single thing his father says. His eyes roam the area, and when they catch on me, he smiles. A genuine, no shit smile. I can't help but smile back, offering a subtle nod of encouragement.

He holds up a hand to stop his dad, which seems to shock his father into silence. "Sorry to cut this lecture short, Dad, but I have places to be."

He begins walking my direction when his father recovers enough to sputter. "Dean! Do not walk away from me, I wasn't done speaking."

Without taking his eyes off me, he yells back, "Well, I'm done listening. Not that I was doing much of that anyways." I watch some sort of realization flashes in his eyes, and he stops to look over his shoulder. "You've been telling me how to do my job as a hockey player for years. Yet you have no idea how to play the game or how the game works. You have no idea how relationships between the players work to play the game, nor do you care. If you want a pliable Lewis you can control, maybe you should make another one because I'm done. I'm done trying to make you proud and hoping you'll give me even an ounce of the respect you give my sister. I don't need you to be proud of me anymore, Dad. I don't even need your attention." He turns back to me with a soft smile. "I have people in my life who care no matter I win or lose." He rushes to me now, and once he's in front of me he wraps me in a huge sweaty hug.

I laugh as I hug him back. "I was about to step in, but it seems you had things handled."

"I don't care about his opinion anymore. He's not the one I'm trying to impress," he whispers.

I squeeze him tighter and say, "You don't have to impress me. I'm proud of you either way."

"Then say it," he demands, though it sounds more like a plea than a demand.

I pull away so I can look up at him. I give him the most genuine smile I can muster, which isn't hard. "I'm so proud of you, Dean."

He hums before pressing his lips to mine. I chuckle into his mouth when I hear, "Well, where is my congratulations kiss?"

I look over Deans shoulder and find Mac standing there with a grin. "Get your ass over here, and I'll kiss you too."

He doesn't hesitate, making his way over to position himself at my side. He doesn't seem bothered that I'm still in Dean's arms as he presses his lips to mine. He smiles down at me. "I love you, Lizzy."

I grin up at him as I reply, "I love you too, Mac."

Dean nips the lobe of my ear to get my attention, and he grunts, "I love you, too, you know."

I press a quick kiss to his cheek. "I love you too, Dean."

Pulling out of Dean's arms, he reluctantly releases me. I give them both a wink as I back away. "Who wants to celebrate at the apartment?"

The guys look at each other before Dean asks, "What type of celebration?"

I grin as I pull down the top of my jersey enough so they get a glimpse of the baby-blue lace bra I'm wearing. "The type where whoever catches me first gets me all to themselves for the night."

Mac smirks and asks, "What if we catch you together?"

I shrug. "Then, I suppose you both get me."

Dean bumps Mac's shoulder as he groans, "Let's get our girl." They begin taking large steps toward me, and I turn around with a squeal and take off toward the exit.

My love story may have started with betrayal, but it ended with two men who showed me what love could be if I gave them a bit of trust. The ice will always be my first love, but it introduced me to true love and family.