“Ice crew,” Dusty explained. “They’re the ones who come on and sweep the ice.”
The game was still going, and we were winning. Everyone counted down from ten as the clock ran out. A horn buzzed.
“The Knights win 4-2. And Happy New Year!” Music played and confetti rained down as people blew on paper horns.
The Knights players all went out and congratulated each other. I noticed them all bonking heads with the goalie, which was so fucking cute. The other goalie ran out and the two goalies, in their giant pads, hugged each other.
A carpet was rolled out, and we were led down it.
The big guy came over, taking off his helmet. He swept up Verity, kissing her. Grabbing AJ, he kissed him, too.
Other players came over to kiss their mates and hug their kids.
“Carlos,” I yelled. Without waiting, I ran off the carpet and right for him. While I might not like the cold, I knew how to walk on ice in sneakers.
“Mi Reina.” Without missing a beat, he picked me up and kissed me.
I wrapped my legs around his waist, kissing him back. “Good game, Pumpkin.”
“Thank you.” He kissed me again.
Hale joined us. “Do Iget a kiss, too?”
“Always.” Still holding onto me, Carlos kissed Hale.
He put me down. “Did you like the game?”
“I loved it. But you stink, Pumpkin.” My nose wrinkled. It was beyond gross. Now I understood the comment about Hale’s shirt not smelling yet.
Carlos laughed. “I know. I’ll shower and we’ll go have a beer at Tito’s with the team before going to Dusty’s?”
“That sounds good to me.”
I saw the PR lady watching me. Also, a woman with a microphone and a camera person.
Pulling Carlos down, I kissed him again.Mine.Then, I kissed Hale.Mine.Saoirse and Dusty joined us. I kissed her, too.Also mine.Looking over at the PR lady, I smirked.
This was my pack. They were all mine.
And no one was going to stop us.
Chapter Forty-One
Dusty
I went downstairs to Saoirse’s room to see if she was ready. Fiona had insisted that we go home to change before going to my moms’ for dinner.
Much of our new furniture had been delivered and there was stuff everywhere.
Saoirse’s door stood open. Her room smelled like paint. The walls were pale purple, the bedding she’d chosen yesterday, amethyst. It was just mattresses on a frame. There wasn’t much in her room, given most of her things hadn’t arrived from Boston yet.
She stood there in front of a full-length mirror applying lipstick.
I'd rarely seen her in anything but her black suit or nothing at all. The long blue dress wasstunning. Fucking shit, I was lucky.
Wait. I looked up at the corner of the mirror. There was the little bouquet of dried lavender that I’d given her in Switzerland. Awww.
Saoirse didn’t turn around. “Is this all right? I wanted something nice, but still casual.”
