I slide my hand out of the way and smile, egging on anyone who wants to gossip. I want everyone to see it. I want everyone to know.
She reads it, her lips tipping into the sweetest smile. “You spelled it wrong.”
“Nah.” I shake my head, enjoying the deep eye contact. It feels like I can see our future in those sea-glass green spirals, and it’s bright. “I spelled it right.”
I wink at Lottie, and she gives me a small wave as she moves back toward the door. “I’ll watch for you outside.”
“I’ll find you.”
As she weaves through the hall, a sigh of relief falls from my lips that she has Ham with her. He’s always watched over her, personally and professionally. He’ll make sure she’s safe from the reporters until I finish my duties for the team. I turn backand head to the locker room as I step into a new headspace—one where everything feels easy.
We won the game, making us tournament champions.
Lottie and I are together and no longer lying.
Everything has turned out exactly how I dreamed.
thirty-six
Lottie
Hamleftafterhedropped me off beside my car and made sure I was safely inside with the doors locked. It’s less than an hour later, Ty comes running—yes, running—at top speed toward my car. He has an open-mouthed smile that makes me chuckle, and I make a split-second decision to open my door and run toward him. Because I no longer have to hide this, I want to fully experience a hug. He must have the same idea, because he doesn’t slow until he’s right in front of me. Instead of stopping, he sweeps me off my feet, squeezing me into a tight hug, twirling me around. We both break out laughing.
“You were amazing!” I exclaim when I finally catch my breath.
He stops spinning and lowers me to my feet, but he doesn’t let go. His hands stay wrapped around me as he lowers his face to mine. “So were you.”
He holds me so close I can feel his heart hammering through his shirt. For a second, I stand here, focused on the steady rhythm of his heart. It’s one of the most intimate things I’ve ever felt. After the silence stretches for a beat, he presses his thumb on my chin, tilting my face toward his. I don’t need instructions. I let my eyes drift closed as his warm breath brushes my lips. His hand slides to cup my jaw, and I melt into his kiss. Butterflies break free, fluttering through my stomach like they are about to throw a party. I can’t help but smile. It’s kissing excellence.
“Why are you smiling?” Ty breaks the kiss long enough to ask before sealing his lips back to mine.
I don’t answer right away. I let my smile grow until I feel him smile back. It’s fun to tease him. His grip tightens at my waist, and I love everything about this moment.
“Because,” I murmur, brushing my mouth against his, “it’s been fun to watch you win life this week.”
His breath hitches as he pulls back, a soft chuckle sneaking out. “What do you mean, win life?”
I gaze up at him, loving how his eyes never leave mine. “What is there to question? You literally won everything—the game, the tournament, Ham’s support, all the fans love you.” My thumb traces the edge of his jaw, and I smile at how natural it feels to tease him. “And me.”
I expect him to laugh in agreement. Instead, his smile fades into a serious expression. “You know none of that matters if I don’t have you.” A swallow pulses through his throat. When I don’t respond right away, he lowers his voice. “You know that, right?”
Taken aback by how fast the moment shifted from playful to serious, I blink before speaking. “I do now.”
“Good.” He exhales softly, his expression softening. Then, more casually, he asks, “So…are you ready to go to dinner? I can’t wait to introduce you to the team and all the other WAGs.”
That word WAGs pings my heart.
Wife and girlfriends.
I can’t believe this is my life. It’s all I ever wanted. I glance back at my car, then at him. His face is still flushed from the whirl of events. My heart races, knowing we don’t have to hide anymore. For a second, I just study him—not because I don’t love the sound of it, but because the ease of it catches me off guard. This is us, creating our life together, and no one is dictating it anymore. “Sounds perfect.”
The next morning, I wake in one of the guest cabins, Ty’s kisses still fresh in my head. It’s the first time in forever, I don’t go into work on a weekday. I haven’t talked to my mom. I’m still mad at her. It will take time before I can see her again, but there is one thing I feel obliged to do. I stare at my phone for a full minute before scrolling to his name and pressing Call.
Bodan answers on the first ring. “Hey, Lottie. Wow, perfect timing. I was just—”
“I owe you an apology”—I hurry to get the words out before my courage fails—“for dragging you into something that got so messy. I should have never listened to my mom in the first place.”
I pause, squeezing my eyes shut, as I brace for him to get mad about the hockey game and the photo—but he just laughs. “Oh, don’t apologize. This has been the best experience of my life”
