Epilogue Xander

With Rachel and Jett on my team, I have my best, winningest season ever.

Rachel comes to every home game and manages to attend a bunch of away games, cheering me on from the stands. Seeing her beautiful face in the crowd lights me up in a way nothing ever has before.

I can’t live without her.

Our team makes it to playoffs and we win the Second Round, but get eliminated in the Third. Which is fine by me, because now I can spend all my time with Rachel and Jett in Starlight Bay.

Back home in Starlight Bay, we fall easily into a cozy routine. I take Jett to school and pick him up in the afternoons, then we head to hockey practice. Jackson lets me slide back into the defensive coach position and I enjoy the hell out of my role, teaching young kids how to play hockey.

Charles is out of the picture for now, having failed to attend even one anger management class. Rachel’s relieved and Jett doesn’t seem too torn up about not seeing his dad, at least for now. Hopefully, the jerk comes around and does what the court asks, but who knows. I’m here to protect both Rachel and Jett now. Nothing’s going to happen to them on my watch.

Rachel and I have more than one talk about the future. I think she’s in it for the long haul, but I’m not one hundred percent sure. That’s why I’m so nervous buying the ring.

We still have a lot of logistics to work out, with my hockey schedule and Jett’s school attendance. We’ll have to spend time apart, but I’m confident we’re meant to be.

I only need to convince Rachel to take the risk.

“Where are you taking her?” Jackson asks as we skate off the ice after practice. He and Harper volunteered to watch Jett tonight, giving us precious time alone.

“I’m keeping it low-key. Probably dinner at Big Chowder, then I arranged a private lighthouse tour.”

“Nice. But word to the wise—there’s security cameras in the lighthouse. Don’t go getting handsy in there.” Jackson elbows me in the ribs, teasing.

“Very funny. I won’t, after what happened last time. I already promised the reporter at the Gazette the story if they give me privacy tonight.”

“Worried she’ll turn you down, Kovac?” Jackson narrows his eyes at me, his brows knitting together.

I shrug. “There’s always that chance. Look how things turned out for her the first time around.”

“Yeah, but you’re not Charles. She knows that.”

“Thanks, Jackson. I’ll keep you posted. And thanks for watching Jett.”

“You bet. Good luck.” He slaps my shoulder, squeezing. “You’ve got this.”

“Thanks.”

With a deep breath, I head to the locker room to shower and change for the big date.

An hour later, Rachel’s sitting across from me at Big Chowder, smiling and laughing. I try to focus on her words, but my gut’s churning with nerves.

“You okay, Xander? You’re a little pale.” Rachel presses her palm to my cheek.

“I’m fine. You want to get out of here, get some fresh air?”

“Sure.”

I pay the check and then we make the quick drive over to the lighthouse.

“Oh no—it’s closed again?” Rachel scans the mostly empty parking lot. “I can’t believe it.”

I slide the Porsche into the nearest spot. “Let’s find out.”

Lacing my fingers with hers, I ignore the pounding of my heart, the blood whooshing in my ears. We walk up the path and I try the knob to the lighthouse door, pushing into the building.

“Hmm, that’s strange. That door’s always locked if the lighthouse is closed.” Rachel frowns at the knob. “Maybe we shouldn’t go in.”

“Come on—you watch too many scary movies.” I drag her into the dim lighthouse, practically hauling her up the stairwell. I’m amped now, the ring weighing heavy in my pocket.

Rachel’s breathing hard by the time we make it to the landing and step outside. The sun’s setting over the Atlantic, the sky streaked pink and orange.

“Wow—great sunset.” She spins and finally notices the twinkly lights and roses I asked the lighthouse keeper to set up for me.

Rachel’s hand flies to her mouth. “Xander! What’s going on?”

I step closer to her, taking both of her hands in mine. “It’s all good, don’t worry. I wanted to bring you up here for this.”

Dropping down on my knee, I gaze up into Rachel’s hazel eyes as realization dawns on her.

“Wait—what?”

“Rachel, I love you more than anything in this entire world. More than hockey. I never thought I’d be able to say that. You came into my life and turned the worst time into the best. You are my absolute sunshine, my rock, and I want nothing more than for you to be my wife. Will you please join Team Kovac?”

Her gorgeous face breaks into a huge smile, tears spilling onto her cheeks as she stares at the sparkly ring I pull out of my pocket. Four flawless carats, set in delicate rose gold.

“Yes, Xander, yes! Of course!”

Relief floods through me, my chest loosening as she pulls me up, cupping my face with her hands. I seize her mouth in a hot kiss and enjoy this precious moment.

“I can’t believe I’m marrying the bad boy of hockey,” she murmurs against my lips.

I chuckle. “I may have officially lost that title. I’ve hardly been in the penalty box since we met.”

She pulls back, gazing up at me through her thick lashes. “Are you saying I tamed the bad boy of hockey?”

“I prefer reformed. Tamed might hurt my reputation with the other teams.”

“Oh, okay. I reformed the bad boy of hockey.”

“Still a nice accolade.” I tap her on the ass and she grins.

“I’ll take it.”

We kiss again as the sunset fades into the ocean, the spotlight circling and illuminating the darkness.

I’m finally home.