EPILOGUE

V innie

One week later

We won again.

Everyone rushes into the locker room, smiles on our faces. We tear off our pads and pile them onto the floor.

The door clicks shut, and I hear a lock. I grin.

“Awesome game,” Finn says.

“Uh huh,” I say happily.

Finn’s eyes widen. “Dude, are you seeing someone?”

“Why?”

“Yeah, you want to volunteer, Finn?” Isaiah teases.

Finn flings his jersey at Isaiah. “He just looks really happy. It’s strange.”

Then I sense Evan’s presence before me. This time, I don’t need to study the floor and school my features into indifference. My gaze flickers to him.

He raises his eyebrow, and I nod.

We’re really going to do this.

“So guys...” Evan clears his throat. “I have an announcement.”

The others slide their gazes at him. Evan’s the captain, after all. They’re used to him giving announcements.

This announcement will be different though.

We’ve already spoken to our agents, already spoken to the coach, already spoken to the Blizzards’ PR department.

We decided to keep this low-key. The team doesn’t need journalists to analyze our private life, but they do need to know.

Evan stretches out his hand, and I take it.

No one on the team thinks anything of it when he helps me up, even though they probably should start putting things together.

But when Evan doesn’t let go of my hand, a few people’s eyes narrow.

Most though just seem to be waiting for the announcement.

“So...” Evan says, tightening his grip on my hand. “As you know, Vinnie and I are close.”

“I didn’t know that,” Finn says, staring at our joined hands.

“That’s because you’re newish,” Evan says. “And Vinnie is sometimes a doofus.”

A few team members glance at one another, as if something in their gazes will tell them that their minds have not suddenly become overactive.

“That’s your announcement?” Isaiah presses his lips together.

“Vinnie and I are together. We’re, um...”

Confusion is still on many of the people’s faces.

“Why don’t I show them?” Evan murmurs, and my pulse jumps.

I nod, and he grins.

For a moment, we’re just staring into each other’s eyes, but a moment later, Evan wraps his arms around me.

And then we’re kissing. Actually kissing. Right in the middle of the locker room.

The room is quiet, then awed whispers flutter around us, then finally, applause.

We pull apart, beaming.

“We, um, don’t want to announce it to the media. And we’ll appreciate your discretion. But it didn’t feel right to keep it secret.” Evan glides his gaze around the room. “Any questions?”

“Nope! Congratulations, guys!” Isaiah bumps fists with us.

I look around the room. Some people are baffled, though honestly, confusion isn’t always a completely uncommon expression off the ice. But most of the guys are smiling.

“I didn’t know that was coming.” Finn scratches his golden-brown locks.

“Problem?” I ask, and even though no one seems upset, my heart still tenses.

I’ve never shared so much of myself with anyone. I’ve always nodded along when guys spoke about girls. I feel raw and on edge.

Evan squeezes my hand, and I know that even if someone does have a problem, we’ll be okay.

Because as much as I tried to push Evan away, I’m the one for him as much as he’s the one for me.

A chorus of congratulations rings out as clear and vibrant as wedding bells.

Thank you for reading Rule #.5: Never Crush on the Captain , the prequel novella in the Hockey Rules series. I hope you enjoyed spending time with Vinnie and Evan as much as I did. If you enjoyed the story, please consider leaving a review. The next book in the Hockey Rules series, Rule #1: Never Accidentally Marry Your Teammate , is available now.