Chapter Thirty

"H ey, are you sure you want to do this?" Clay asks as he ties my skates.

"Yeah, why?"

He stops what he's doing and looks up at me. "Well, it hit me earlier that I never asked you if you liked skating after we went last time, and I just want to make sure that you don't do anything just because I want to when you don't."

I cup the side of his face and lean forward, pressing my lips to his.

"Thank you," I say when I pull away.

A crease forms between his brows. "What are you thanking me for?"

"For being you, and to answer your question, yes, I do want to skate with you."

"Are you sure?"

"One hundred percent. I like that you're sharing this part of your life with me and that you don't expect me to wait on the sidelines."

Clay leans forward and kisses me softly. "You don't belong on the sidelines, babe."

"Thank you." I kiss him one more time before pulling away. "Now tie up my skates so we can get out there."

Clay chuckles and shakes his head. "Yes, ma'am."

I crinkle my nose. "Ew, no. Don't ever call me ma'am again."

Clay ducks his head and starts tying up my laces. "Understood."

Once he's finished with mine, he stands and pulls me up with him.

"Ready?" he asks as he steps onto the ice.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I tell him as I gently step onto the ice.

"Steady…"

I nod. "I'm good."

Clay pushes off carefully and pulls me with him. On unsteady legs, I start to push off, just like I did last time we skated.

"You're doing better," he tells me after a lap around the rink.

I shoot him a smile. "I learned from the best."

Clay puffs up his chest and shoots me a wink. "Keep stroking my ego, why don't you?"

With my free hand, I push on his shoulder, making him laugh.

"How was your day?" he asks as we slowly move on the ice.

"It was good. Classes seemed to drag forever, but it's over. You?"

"Can't complain, especially when I'm here with you now."

"Sweet talker," I tease.

"You're a sweet talker."

"Your cheese is extra strong today."

"You think so?"

"Yep."

We fall silent for a few moments when he speaks again.

"So there's something I want to talk about." He squeezes my hand.

"What's up?"

"I don't know how to tell you this, so I'm just going to spit it out. I've made a decision about entering the draft."

I suck in an unsteady breath as I pull him to a stop. Clay spins around and faces me. I lick my lips, my mouth feeling dry. "And?"

Clay shoots me a smile. "And I'm going to hold off until next year."

"Really?" I can't help the hopefulness filling my voice.

"Yes, really."

I squeal and go to throw my arms around him, only I forget where I am, and my feet start to go out from under me.

"Shit!"

Clay's arms catch me before I can face-plant on the ice.

"I got you."

I throw my arms around his neck and hug him. "I'm so happy. Seriously, this is the best news I've heard all week!"

"Me too."

I pull back slightly so I can see his face. "What made you decide to wait?"

"Well, I won't lie and say you didn't play a part in it."

I open my mouth, but he cuts me off.

"Let me get this out, please." I nod, silently telling him to continue. "What I meant was the idea of getting to spend another year with you and the guys was too hard to pass up. Especially with Cora hopefully joining us next year."

"Are you absolutely sure?"

He raises a brow. "Are you trying to talk me out of it?"

I squeeze the back of his neck. "Hell no. No take-backs, you said you're staying, so it's final. I just want to make sure that you won't regret it."

Clay leans down and kisses me. "There is no way I could possibly regret spending another year playing hockey with the guys or spending my free time with you."

I hum and lean forward, giving him another kiss. "Good answer. Have you told the guys yet?"

Clay shakes his head. "No, they know that I've made a decision, but they don't know which way I've decided. I wanted to tell you first. Well, you and my mom."

"What did she say?"

He tilts his head from side to side. "I think she's happy with the choice. I know she's happy that I will graduate with a degree instead of leaving before I can finish."

"She loves you and just wants you to be happy."

"She does, and I am."

"When will we know if Cora is going to join us?"

"Hopefully soon. I think it was about this time of year I got my offer."

I think about it and nod. "I think you're right."

"I guess we will see."

"We will, now tell me, how do you plan on telling the guys?"

The corner of his mouth kicks up. "We're going to do a team building night, so I figured I'd tell them all at once."

"They are going to hate that you didn't tell them first." I laugh.

Clay lifts his shoulder with a little smile on his face. "They will get over it."

"What are you guys doing for team building?"

"I haven't decided yet. Brett mentioned hitting up a strip club, but we shot that idea down."

I crinkle my nose. "Probably for the best."

"Don't worry, I'll figure it out, and it will be as wholesome as a bunch of hockey players can be." He pulls away slightly and takes my hands in his. "Now how about we celebrate by taking a few more laps, and then maybe go grab some food?"

"Then maybe after that, we could go back to your place to celebrate." I wink.

Clay groans. "Tease."

I tilt my head back and laugh. "Am I really though when I'm a sure thing?"

"Come on, let's get out of here," he says as he starts to pull me toward the bench.

I sit next to the fire and watch the flames dance in the dark. The guys are all around me, having a good time. The heat from the fire cuts through the crisp night air. I pull the beanie out of my pocket and put it on my head, covering my ears.

"They seem to be happy," Brett says as he comes to sit next to me.

I look over at him. "This was a good idea. Way better than the strip club."

"Thanks. Although I do stand by the strip club idea. I think some of the guys would have loved it."

When I told them that Coach had given us the go-ahead, Brett told me he would take care of it and had a plan, and honestly, this is far better than anything I could have planned or anything that we've done in the past. Everyone seems to be getting along and having a good time, and I couldn't ask for more.

A whistle cuts through the air, getting everyone's attention. Beckett stands there with a drink in his hand and a smile on his face.

"Is everyone having a good time?" he asks.

The team cheers.

"That's what I like to hear! Now I have it on good authority that Captain has some news he would like to share with all of us, so why don't we give him our attention," he says with a wicked smile on his face.

"Fucker," I mumble under my breath as I stand. "First off, I would like to thank everyone for coming tonight. I know our schedules are crazy and we don't get a lot of downtime, so truly, I thank you for taking the time to come out here."

"Just tell us already!" one of the guys yells.

I raise my hands in surrender. "Fine. I'm sure all of you have heard the whispers about me possibly entering the draft and leaving at the end of the season. While it was tempting, I've decided to stay here with you guys for my senior year. Honestly, there's nowhere else I'd rather be right now. I hope next year I can continue to lead you guys, and we can keep this good thing going."

"Woohoo, Captain is staying!" one of the guys says, making everyone cheer.

"I'm staying," I confirm with a smile. "With that out of the way, let's kick some ass this year. There's a cup with our name on it, and I think it's time to bring it back home. What do you say, are you guys up for the challenge?"

"Fuck yeah!"

"Let's do this."

I smile. "Now that's it. Go back to doing whatever. Have a good time because shit's only going to get crazier from here on out until the end of the season."

Guys get up and come and congratulate me.

"I'm glad you're staying, man."

"I look forward to taking the ice with you for another season."

Their responses and congratulations all melt into one until finally the last person walks up to me.

Kellan.

"So I guess you aren't going anywhere," he says as he shoves his hands in his pockets.

"No, I'm not."

His jaw clenches as he nods. "Are you serious about her?"

"I am."

"You might have her, but just so you know, next year the captaincy is mine."

I nod slowly. "That's not for you to decide but may the best man win."

"May the best man win," he says before walking off.

"What did he want?" Beckett asks as he, Wyatt, and Brett walk up.

"Wanted to tell me that next year he will be captain."

Brett scoffs. "In his dreams. Everyone knows that it never goes to an underclassman."

Wyatt nods, but it's Beckett who speaks. "You got lucky getting it over one of the seniors as it is."

I take a deep breath. "Tell me about it. Anyway, can we talk about something else? Anything else."

"It seems like everyone is having a good time but Wyatt here," Brett says as he slaps Wyatt's shoulder.

Wyatt shrugs, making Brett's hand fall off his shoulder. "Too many people."

Beckett rolls his eyes. "Those people are our teammates."

"Who we already spend too much time with," Wyatt grumbles.

"Hey, I never asked, but how did you find this place so fast?" I ask, pointing over my shoulder at the cabin.

Brett shrugs as he brings his cup to his lips. "My parents recently bought it."

I shake my head. "Seriously?"

"Yep, and I don't want to talk about it."

"Enough said," I tell him.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out.

"No, no, no. No phones tonight. You know that," Beckett tells me.

I see a text from Cora with a picture attached and open it. As soon as I see the photo of her acceptance letter, I smile.

"She fucking did it."

"Who did what?" Beckett asks.

"Cora got accepted into Walker U," I tell the guys, pride filling my voice.

"Fuck yeah, she did!" Beckett says as he gives me a high five.

Brett rubs his hands together. "Looks like little sister will be joining in on our madness next year."

"Tell her congrats from us," Wyatt says.

I shoot off a quick text to my sister.

Me: This is the best news I've heard all day. I'm so fucking proud of you and can't wait to spend next year with you.

Cora: Thank you! I'm so excited.

"I can't wait to tell Grace."

"You're already breaking the rules tonight by having your phone out, might as well send her a text telling her," Beckett tells me.

I shake my head. "Nah, I'll tell her tomorrow. Tonight is for us."

Beckett raises a brow. "Are you sure? It's not a big deal."

"It will wait. Now let's go inside and spend some time with the team."

"Let's do it," Brett says.

I turn, and as we start walking toward the house, Beckett throws his arm over my shoulder.

"I'm glad you're staying. It wouldn't have been the same without you."

"Me too."