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“He asked her in the backseat of my car.” Linc rolls his eyes, shaking his head. “Dumbass.”
“When the right moment arrives, you need to be ready, Reynolds.”
“The right moment showed up in the back of my car?” Linc snorts. “I think you might not know what the right moment looks like, Mitch.”
“It was perfect,” Ivy declares, glaring at the two giants in front of her. “I’ll have you know I wouldn’t want it any differently.”
“You’re both nuts.”
Shea loops her arm through her boyfriend’s, hushing him.
There’s another round of hugs from Cami and Ash. Penny’s mom bustles in with a bottle of champagne and glasses. I politely decline. “I want to be clear-headed tomorrow,” I offer as an excuse. “Besides, I need to call Libby.”
“Speaking of tomorrow,” Ash says, putting his glass down. “I have an idea. I’m not sure how you’ll feel about it, but I might have the perfect spot for your ceremony if we can’t have the club.”
I pause, the phone in my hand. “I’m listening.”
Cord Spellman
Atthreeinthemorning, the Dazed Zealot tour bus pulls up in front of the Harrisburg Airport. The gods must be shining on us because the snow stopped falling about an hour ago. I doubt the road crews have cleared things yet, but at least they might have a better grip on the main highways soon.
As the door to the bus slides open, Bash Taylor stands at the entrance. “Your chariot awaits.”
“I’m never going to hear the end of this,” I mutter to Griff. “How Bash came to our rescue. Arrogant douchebag.”
“They’re giving us a ride. Be nice,” he shoots back.
I grunt, but he’s right. Truth be told, I like the guy. Still think he’s arrogant, but he’s been a good friend to Hannah.
The Zealot lead singer, Libby, welcomes us and offers us the bedroom to sleep in. Griff accepts, but I tell her I’m fine. I’m so wound up, I doubt I’ll be able to sleep. No need to waste a bed on me.
Even without the active snow, the roads are slick and it’s slow going, especially after we leave the highway and head through the mountains. Despite my earlier skepticism, I must have dozed off, because when Libby shakes me awake, we’ve stopped. “We’re here.”
The sun barely lights the sky, but I can see they parked us outside the Chesterboro University hockey rink. “What are we doing here?”
Griff throws his bag over his shoulder beside me. “Power’s out at the country club. The electrical company isn’t expecting that grid back online for a day or two.” He motions to the rink where we played our college games. “Ash is the captain this year, and he asked Coach if we could use the facility. They have emergency generators to keep the ice up. Penny didn’t have clarity on if we’ll have all the lights, but we should have enough for a ceremony and this place has better seating.” He considers before shrugging. “Well, a better view maybe.”
I lean forward to get a better view of the place out of the bus window. Hannah and I came to Chesterboro for last year’s graduation, but I haven’t been back in town since then. Memories of the four years I spent here—including all the time I spent inside this very building—sweep over me. A grin slips over my lips. “This is fucking perfect.”
Griff claps me on the shoulder, and we shuffle out of the bus. Penny stands at the bottom of the bus stairs, and she throws herself into her boyfriend’s arms the moment both of his feet are steady on the sidewalk. He lifts her off her feet, carrying her away, still holding her against his body. I can’t help but smile, happy for my buddy. I’m having an exceptional year. I’m on track to go to the All-Star Game, but one of the best parts of this season is having Griff with me and getting to know him better.
“Where’s Hannah?” The rest of the sidewalk is empty except for the rest of the Zealots and their crew.
Penny steps out of Griff’s embrace, but he drags her against his side. “It’s your wedding day. You can’t see her.”
I glare at her. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Griff growls. “Watch how you’re talking to my Red, Spellman.”
Penny swats him. “Stop it.” She slides out of his grasp and steps up to me. Her red hair is in a wet bun on top of her hair, and she props one hand on her hip and pokes me square in the chest. “I’ve been up all night, pal. I’m tired, but I adore your fiance so there is no way you’re chancing bad luck on my watch. So, here’s what you’re going to do. Go in there, shower. There’s hot water, we already checked. We had your tux brought here. We’ve moved up the ceremony. It’ll take place at noon, at center ice, so if anyone needs to drive anywhere afterward, they can get there before it’s dark and the roads freeze over.” I can only blink at her. When I don’t immediately respond, her brows drop. “Do you understand?”
I can’t help but grin at her. “Yes, ma’am.” To Griff, I nod. “Your girl is scary, Parker.”
He snags her back against him, and she goes willingly. He drops a kiss on the top of her head before he nuzzles her cheek. “She’s magnificent.”
Chuckling, I head toward the doorway. No way I’m risking Penny Hampshire’s wrath again.
I do as I’m told. I get a shower in the locker room, in the same shower I used hundreds of times in school. By the time I’m getting dressed, Linc, Declan, and Ash have joined me. Griff showers here as well, and when we’re all ready, someone breaks open a bottle of scotch. Everyone but Ash pours a glass. When we lift to toast, he holds up his takeout coffee mug.
