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"God, Mr. Armstrong is scary as fuck," he says, shaking his head.
I laugh as he skates off.
"Dani girl."
I turn to face Crew. "Hey."
"You know what’s going on, right?"
"I think so."
"If you don’t want me to do this like this, I’ll make up something else for the crowd," he tells me, his words just for us. "I’ll make it quiet and sweet and just us. But," he says, stepping close and lifting a hand to cup my cheek. "Big and loud and awesome and for everyone to see is how I intend to love you for the rest of my life."
I suck in a little breath and my heart squeezes so hard in my chest I think it stops for nearly three seconds.
He drags his thumb over my cheek and I realize I’m crying.
"So, I have a very strong urge to do this big and loud and awesome and for everyone to see."
I press my lips together.
This is Crew. The third man I’ve chosen to love, to make a life with. This is how he lives and loves and how I love being loved by him.
I grasp his wrist and squeeze. "This is what you bring to my life, Crew. The big and loud and awesome that I need. That I want."
His smile is huge and bright. "I love you so damned much."
"I love you too."
Suddenly, he drops to one knee and puts the microphone to his mouth. "Danielle, you are the first, and only thing in my life, that has ever been more important, and more fun, than hockey."
There is laughter, and cheering around us, but I can’t look away from Crew’s beloved face.
"Don’t tell the fans, but if I had to choose between you and hockey, I’d choose you every time."
I laugh at the adorable grin he’s giving me. The grin I know I will still be seeing on this man’s face even when he’s eighty years old. He’s going to be the mischief, the spontaneity, and the cause of belly laughs in my life until the day I die.
The fans are mostly laughing, though there are a few boos peppered in now.
That just makes Crew and I both laugh harder.
He sobers slightly and looks me directly in the eyes. "Dani, you’re not getting rid of me. I’m in this for the long haul. For all the couch buying, all the movie nights, all the family holidays, all the quiet times, all the craziness, all the babies—" His voice wobbles a little on that word and I run my fingers through his hair. "All the hockey wins and losses…" He clears his throat. "All of life’s wins and losses."
I lift my own hand to wipe my tears this time.
"Let’s get married," he says. "Let’s make it official. Wear my ring…too." He grins as he glances in Nathan and Michael’s direction. Then he looks back at me. "Be my wife."
I’m nodding before he even finishes. "Yes. Definitely yes."
His eyes are shining with love and happiness. He lifts the microphone to my mouth. "One more time for the fans, sweet girl."
I laugh, but lean in and say clearly and loudly through the PA system of the Racketeers arena. "I love you so much. Yes, I’ll marry you, Crew McNeill."
CHAPTER 19
Crew
Nathan and Michael meet us as I carry Dani off the ice.
