Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Riley

I think I’m the only one who’s not hammered. But that’s okay. Everyone is having a great time and it’s nice to see.

I’m on the parked Hyenas float while we wait for their victory parade to start rolling down Riverwalk road in San Antonio. I shake my head and laugh when Brantley pops open a two hundred year old bottle of wine from the royal cellar of Louis Phillippe the First, King of France. He told me he had promised Nolan Barlowe that he would crack it open if they won the Stoney Cup.

The boys gather around as Brantley pours it into the cup.

“Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!” they all chant as he picks up the silver trophy and takes a big sip.

He immediately spits it out and they all laugh.

“It’s disgusting,” he says, looking horrified.

“It’s two hundred years old, what do you expect?” Austin says, cracking up.

“Let me try that,” Tucker says as he pushes Sebastian aside and grabs it. He downs half of it in one long gulp as the guys laugh in disbelief.

Tucker hands it to Harris and wipes his red mouth with the back of his hand. “I don’t like it.”

They all take turns trying the wine that should have died with the French Revolution long ago and not one of them like it.

“Riley!” Austin says, waving me over. “Come take a sip!”

I wave him away, blushing. I’m so flattered they’re trying to include me even if it is trying to get me to drink two hundred year old alcoholic swill. I didn’t think they’d want me on their parade float, but Brantley was so insistent that I come. He really wanted me by his side, so I reluctantly said yes. I’m so touched the team has embraced me as one of their own even though I am in charge of the enemy. I guess the animosity isn’t so great when you’re the winner.

“My love,” Brantley says, waving me over. “Come take a sip. It’s fit for a king.”

“A dead king maybe,” Austin says, still chugging water, trying to get the taste out of his mouth.

“Riley! Riley! Riley!” they start chanting. I can’t say no. Unfortunately.

I walk over and take the cup. It’s so heavy, so Brantley helps me hold it up. I put it to my lips and take a sip, and… yup. It’s even grosser than I thought it would be.

I choke it down and everyone cheers.

“That’s my girl,” Brantley says as he kisses my cheek.

He’s looking a little tipsy and he’s somehow even cuter with that twinkle in his eye and the mischievous smile.

I’m still sad that we lost, but getting to the Stoney Cup Championship is still a major deal. It’s a huge accomplishment and I’m happy for the incredible ride we had. Next year, we learn from the mistakes we made, build off our success, and go for it all.

Next year, it’s going to be the Vipers hosting a victory parade. I’ll make sure of it.

The float starts moving and the boys get excited as we roll onto Riverwalk where thousands of people are crowded around, cheering and screaming in their Hyenas gear.

They all wave to their fans as Brantley puts his arm around me, watching his team with a content look in his beautiful light blue eyes.

He seems so happy. So at peace.

Seeing him so satisfied like this is almost worth losing. Almost .

But really. How can I be upset over a lost hockey game when I have so much to look forward to? I’m going to marry this wonderful man on his superyacht. I guess both teams will be invited. I just hope that Tucker McKinstry and Carson Rochon don’t start a brawl in the middle of our vows.

“You two look so in love,” Austin says, giving us puppy dog eyes. “I’m so happy you found each other and against all odds made it work.”

“Here he goes again,” Nolan says, laughing. “Turning our parade into a damn rom com.”

“I can’t help it,” Austin says as he waves to the crowd. “I just adore love!”

I smile up at Brantley as he holds me close.

I’m right there with Austin. I didn’t know how much I adored love until I met a man worth loving. Until I met this man who’s impossible not to love.

The future will be challenging with us working out of two different cities during hockey season, but we’ll figure it out.

There are phones, Zoom calls, and of course, Brantley’s private jet which will help a lot. I know we’ll spend every minute we can with one another.

We have a long, bright future together. I want to do it all with this man—family, kids, the whole nine yards.

I can’t wait!