“Elliott?” Cat’s accusing voice echoed through the corridor behind him.
Theo held his hands up again. “No, Sir. Nothing phallic, no cussing. We know.” His voice was a hushed whisper.
“Elliot.” Cat advanced toward him, an outstretched index finger pointed in his direction. “What are you doing to my poor boyfriend?”
Theo gave a nervous laugh. “Nothing, baby. Misunderstanding. Right, Coach? Right.” He rushed forward and grabbed Cat’s hand. “Let’s go down to the ice, the team is already there.” He gave a thumbs up to Elliott, smiled at Clare, and bolted with Cat and Mason by his side.
“That kid is…strange.” Clare jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “Stranger than normal, maybe. Is he okay?”
He nodded, his tongue suddenly three sizes too big for his mouth. It was almost time to ask her the biggest question of his life, and while he was sure she wanted it as much as he did, there was still a tiny voice in his head that said she’d say no.
“Areyouokay?” She cupped his jaw and studied his face. “Nervous about the closing? Don’t be. It’s all going to be okay. They’ll buy the house, you’ll get your cut, and you’ll be free of Denise and Tim once and for all.” She paused and blew out a huff of air. “I can’t believe she’s pregnant again so soon. Two kids so close together…” She shuddered. “It’s not easy. Especially with Tim being back at work. It’s going to be tough for her.”
He nodded, but he didn’t really want to talk about his ex. He was glad she’d truly moved on with her life and they had little to do with each other unless it was to do with the sale of the house. That period of his life was almost over for good.
With Clare and the team’s help, he’d already gutted out and sold his parent’s house in the past year. Surviving that had been painful. He wasn’t really worried that the sale of his previous home would fall through, but it helped for Clare to believe it—then she wouldn’t pry about what was really bothering him.
By the time they got down to the ice pad, clusters of fans had made their way out onto the ice. Ticket holders had been invited to use the ice as a cold canvas to spread messages and create art.
Brushes in hand, fans got to painting. Drawings of current and past players were added to the ice, along with “thank you” messages written to the players for their performances during the season.
Some fans left behind their own stories, leaving names and even playing tic-tac-toe. But none of that mattered—not really. He swallowed as he stood up from his own creative masterpiece and dusted off his knees.
He nodded at Cat. It was a terrible “go” signal, but they figured anything more obvious might draw suspicion from Clare. Cat stood behind her mom and covered her eyes with both hands before shuffling her across the ice toward Elliott.
Taking a knee, he settled in place before pulling the small, velvet ring box from his pocket and sending up a prayer.
“Can’t I look yet? I’m sure Mason doesn’t mind his painting not being completely perfect.” Clare wriggled in Cat’s grasp.
“Just another sec, Mom. Be patient.” Cat beamed down at Elliott who nodded again.
When she pulled her hands from Clare’s eyes, it took her a moment to adjust and react. She blinked rapidly before her gaze settled on the ring in his hand. Her eyes flicked between the ring box in his hand, to the message painted in blue paint next to him on the ice.
Will you marry me, Clare?
“Oh my God.” She glanced around the ice, and likely to no one’s surprise, all eyes were on them.
“What do you say, CeeCee? Will you be mine forever?”
Cat clapped her hands like an excited seal before wiping her tears with the side of her hand.
“Of course I’ll marry you!” She rushed forward and reached for him.
Heaving his weight off the ice, he grunted as he stood. “I’m too old for this shit.”
“I hope not. I want at least another forty years with you, Coach.”
Plucking the ring from its plush cushion, he smiled, then hesitated. “You sure?”
“Put the ring on my finger already, old man.” Her grin could have powered the huge screen mounted over center ice. And as he slid the ring onto her finger, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause.
He pulled her to him, cradling her chin, and as he dipped his head to kiss her, players and fans rushed over to pat him on the back and congratulate them.
While the handshakes and well wishes continued, out of the corner of his eye Enzo and Theo stood chatting. “That’ll be you next, right Theo-dear?”
The color drained from Theo’s face as realization dawned that Elliott had heard what his friend had said.
Elliott pointed a finger at the young man. “Over my dead body, kid. Finish college first, you hear me?”
