59. Leah

CHAPTER 59

LEAH

Nine months.

That's how long it took for my life to change in more ways than I ever dreamed possible. When Sawyer came back to town, I imagined I would spend the rest of my life completely miserable—trying to shove feelings I had no business having for him into the deepest depths of my mind. Lucky for me he got tired of waiting for fate to do her damn job in bringing us back together and did it himself. I have never felt happier than I do right now—surrounded by all our friends and family at the final game of the Stanley Cup Finals, as the love of my life plays his freaking heart out on the ice.

When Sawyer told me he wanted me to become part of his game day routine it felt like the deepest expression of love. Game day rituals are no joke for athletes, and especially not for Sawyer—I picked up on that when he started using the pink sports tape every game after I brought him his senior year of high school. That was the game he scored his first tie breaking goal and after that it was pink sports tape on the stick, or he wasn't playing at all.

I've got on my jersey with the number thirteen and Sawyer's name plastered on my back, and I can't wait to show him the new matching green lingerie set I have on underneath it. Lyssa is standing next to me with Matty's jersey on, munching nervously on a bag of popcorn, meanwhile I couldn't eat anything even if I wanted to.

I found out I am not a nervous eater, I'm a nervous drinker.

We've filled an entire row with people here to support the guys and it's been the most high energy game of the season. It's four to three in the last minute of the third period with the Badgers in the lead and both teams are fighting for it tonight.

The clock starts running down with less than a minute as the puck travels closer to our goal. The other team takes a shot and I hold my breath, but Devon blocks it and sends it right to Matty. He and Sawyer take off down the ice—fifteen seconds on the clock—they're passing it so fast I can barely keep up and as soon as Sawyer takes a shot, it hits the net and the sirens go off.

"OH MY GOD!!!!!" Lyssa and I scream like mad women as we jump up and down together. The entire row is exchanging hugs, high fives and Marilyn and Tony have tears in their eyes as they watch their son achieve one of his lifelong dreams.

The Badgers are all jumping on each other with helmets flying everywhere and then a few moments later I hear someone beating on the glass and look over to see Sawyer standing at the edge of the ice.

"What are you doing?! You should go celebrate."

"I love you, Dove. I couldn't have done this without you," he yells, then he pats the spot on his ribs where my tattoo is, and my eyes begin to water.

"I love you too! Now go celebrate with your team. I'll meet you out there!" He skates back over, and his coach runs out on the ice and celebrates with them.

I think I finally get why he's so worked up after games. I don't think I've felt this much adrenaline pumping through my body—ever, actually.

When the game is over, and the cup has been presented—each player gets their photo taken and has the chance to raise the cup—before the locker room party begins. I only stay a few minutes after they let family members in, opting to leave and tell Sawyer I'll meet him in the hallway, so I don't get bombarded with anymore champagne soaked hugs.

The moment I see him, I take off and jump into his arms. His hair is wet from him showering and he's back in his suit looking like a damn dreamboat when he wraps his arms around me and squeezes me so tight it's like we're the only two here.

"I know I already told you this, but you were amazing tonight," I whisper into his neck where my face is nestled. "How does it feel?"

"Indescribable." His smile is the same today as it was when we were kids. Much more mature now, of course, but the very same one that sent butterflies into a frenzy in my stomach and made it almost impossible to look anywhere but at him. The kind of smile you want to look at forever.

"Are we celebrating with anyone tonight?" I ask him, unsure what the proper protocol is for when your team wins the Stanley freaking Cup.

"The guys wanted to go out for drinks, but I told everyone else we'd do dinner one night at our place if that's alright with you? You feel up for going out tonight?" I love how he's always so considerate of what I want to do and what I'm comfortable with.

"Of course! I'm going wherever you are my love." He hums his approval of the nickname, and we head out for drinks with the entire Badgers team—I'm curious to see what bar is going to house all of these men and their plus ones comfortably.

We pull up to Fr33style and find out the entire place reserved for an after party just for the team. The lights inside are lit up green and white to match the team's colors, there's a huge banner hanging up in the back that I'm assuming someone had made just in case tonight ended with a win, and the bottle girls are all wearing cropped Badgers shirts and shorts that look more like underwear.

"There you are!" Lyssa squeals, approaching us from within the crowd. "Matty and the guys are waiting for you by the banner for another picture," she tells Sawyer, linking her arm with mine.

"I take it you're in good hands, I'll be back." He gives me a wink and disappears.

"I can't believe they did it," Lyssa sighs, watching as the guys get in position.

"I freaking can, this is the best season I've seen Sawyer have in years. The Badgers absolutely killed this year."

"I can't wait to see how they do next year! It's going to be so fun having you there to freak out with. I think next year may be Matty's last," she whispers, and my eyes grow wide.

"You think so?" She nods her head and smiles while her gaze is fixed on him.

"Yeah. We want to start a family and Matty always said he wanted to be home for all of it, he doesn't want to miss anything, and I think we're ready."

"Lyss! That's so exciting. I really hope everything works out for you guys the way you want it to." I pull her in for a hug and she swipes away a tear.

"Ugh, look at me I'm already all emo about it. Can you imagine pregnancy hormones on top of this?" She rolls her eyes and blows out a breath, making me laugh. A loud burst of laughter catches my attention from across the room and Lyssa and I both glance around for the source until I see where it's coming from.

One of the bottle girls with the number thirteen on her micro top is rubbing Sawyer's arm and tossing her long blonde hair behind her shoulder. Sawyer's tight-lipped smile and the way he has his hands shoved into his pockets tells me that he's just trying to be polite, then his eyes meet mine and they widen like he needs saving—the same way they did that night at karaoke when someone yelled for him to have their babies.

No, I will not be forgetting that woman hollering at my man any time soon.

"Excuse me, Lyssa." I plaster an aggravated smile on my face and she notices.

"Ooh, go get your man, honey." She waves me off and I do just that. Weaving through the crowd I walk over until I'm right by Sawyer's side.

"Am I interrupting?" I smile sweetly as the girl looks me up and down.

"Sweetie, puck bunnies aren't welcome tonight, sorry." A vision of me slapping the extensions out of her hair flashes through my mind then I narrow my eyes and remember who the hell I am.

"Oh, so how did you get in?" I feign innocence and tilt my head as if I'm truly curious. She glances at Sawyer and recomposes herself.

"Well, as you can see," she points to the thirteen on her shirt. "I'm assigned to be this hunk's bottle service tonight, but I'd be happy to find someone to escort you out." Wow, she's got balls, I'll give her that.

"That won't be necessary, I'll be finding someone else to serve me and my future wife tonight." Sawyer wraps a hand around my waist and pulls me into his side, leaning down enough to capture my lips with his. My hands find their way to his hair, and I let my fingers weave through the soft locks.

"Oh, I am so sorry, I didn't realize." She tries to save face from the previous comment she made, but it's too late for that.

"That is because you simply didn't care to. Have a good night." Sawyer grabs my hand and leads me through the crowd until we reach the bar.

"One strawberry margarita and one whiskey neat please." He orders our drinks and wraps his arms around my waist, kissing along my neck until I'm tingling from my cheeks down to my toes.

"What are you doing?" I ask, leaning my head back on his shoulder.

"We are going to have one drink, we're going to dance a little bit, then I'm taking you home, Dove."