Page 388 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Cheers erupt around us.

Liam whistles loudly enough to make several children cover their ears.

Coach pretends not to know him.

Everyone laughs.

Toby has somehow managed to gather the puppies and tuck them into his pockets – little noses poking out in an apparent effort to stay awake for his final goodbyes.

***

The air fills with laughter as Jamie's truck comes into view.

Blue and silver ribbons flutter from the mirrors.

JUST MARRIED stretches proudly across the back window.

Jamie doesn't even have to guess. No doubt Liam, who places a hand over his heart. "I regret nothing."

Coach folds his arms. "You should."

"I also may have hidden biodegradable confetti somewhere inside the truck."

"Liam..."

"What?"

"Don't tell him where." The laughter follows us all the way to the truck.

***

One by one we hug our families and the rest of the people who carried us to this day.

Keisha wraps me in one last fierce hug. "You happy?"

I nod before she even finishes asking. "Happier than I knew was possible."

She smiles. "I can see that."

Jamie shakes Toby's hand before pulling him into a hug.

"Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me."

"I do."

Toby smiles, with his elbows suspiciously holding his wiggling jacket pockets closed. "Just be happy."

"I plan to."

Finally, Liam steps forward.

He hugs Jamie hard enough to make him wince.

"Easy," Coach warns.

"Right."