“The Lord works in mysterious ways. Just go ask Molly, and she’ll tell you all about it.”
I laugh loud and hard. “I love you, Dom.”
“Good, because you’re stuck with me.”
“Fuck, yes!”
I fly around the back of the net and crash into Alexander, slapping his helmet. “Atta boy, Krum!”
Another goal brings the score to 2-1. Florida isn’t making it easy for us; the game has been tense, and we were tied for the first two periods.
This final period is ours though, not only because I love winning, but because my people are here—Chance, Presley, Avery, and Alyssa—and they’re all wearing my jersey.
My eyes dart to the glass as I skate back to our side of the rink. Alyssa waves frantically, holding up a giant foam finger, while Avery dodges it so he doesn’t get hit in the face. My throat tightens at the sight of them, and a sense of belonging sinks deep into my bones. I’ve always dreamed of having a family of my own; of having people I love cheering me on at my games; of getting to take care of them, and share my love with them.
Chance says something to Presley, whispering it in her ear, and she tosses her head back as she laughs. Her hair is tied up ina messy bun, and she looks so fucking adorable in my oversized jersey. My heart swells. I never thought I’d see her again, yet here she is, filling the hole she once left in my heart.
Chance gazes down at her with an unbridled smile on his usually stoic face, and it takes my breath away. All I’ve ever wanted for him was to be happy; to know his worth; to feel loved. Losing Presley made me lose him too, and it was so damn hard seeing him on the ice and not being able to have him the way we used to be.
It feels like a dream, having them both back in my life again.
Chance’s dark eyes meet mine as I purposely skate past their seats, and he shoots me a wink. He looks absolutely fuckable in a black backwards hat and my name across his back—something I know wasn’t easy for him to wear.
Desire lights my skin on fire as Presley bites her bottom lip, a hidden promise for later reflecting in her gaze.
Fuck, I need to focus.
Can’t win this game with a boner.
I snap back into position, and Florida sends the puck down the ice. I intercept it and pass it to Alexander for a breakaway. The crowd roars as he skates past their defense, and I fly up on his right. He passes it back to me and I take the shot.
The buzzer goes off, and that familiar rush of victory takes over me.
My head immediately snaps to my loves in the stands. Avery lifts Alyssa and spins her around, while Chance and Presley are on their feet, arms overhead, clapping and cheering.
For me.
My teammates slap me on the back as I make my way to the boards. I stop in front of Chance and Presley, and press my gloved hand against the glass. Presley reaches out and flattens her palm against the other side, gazing up at me with pride. To my surprise, Chance covers her hand with his to join us. It’s asmall gesture, but it’s a momentous deal; he’s showing me that he’s serious about what he said—he’s ready to be out, to be with me, with us.
Emotion strangles me as I reluctantly tear myself away from the glass and force myself to head into the locker room.
The locker room smells like sweat and victory, and the guys are all buzzing with excitement. I pull off my gear and shower at lightning speed.
“Let’s go out and celebrate, Mac.” Trenton nudges me with his elbow after we’re dressed. “Where do you wanna go?”
I grin. “There’s only one place I want to be right now, and it’s not in a bar.”
He coughs out an incredulous laugh. “Hell has frozen over. Mac doesn’t want to party?”
“Nope.” I wink. “Just a no-pants party of three for me tonight.”
Jason laughs. “Yeah, same.”
We high-five each other while the other guys hoot and slap us in the asses with their dirty towels.
“Be jealous, motherfuckers,” I shout as I hold my arms out wide as I walk backward toward the door. “I’m about to have the hottest sex you’ll never get to experience in your life.”
The kids areasleep by the time I get to Presley’s house.
