Page 113 of Penalty Shots

"What in the world is all this?" Rina asks, standing at my side.

"Well, since you're too pregnant to go to the after-party tonight," Izzy says. "We wanted to bring the party to you."

"One last hurrah before baby comes," Ryker adds.

"But guys," I look at my wife. "Rina hates parties." I turn to her. "I honestly… I don't know what got into them."

Rina looks at me, blinking.

"What?"

"You told them to bring the party buses, didn't you?"

"I mean…"

She slaps me on the chest. "Keelan Landry! I swear you have a serious problem."

"Okay, I was going to have FOMO, I do admit that. But Ri, I've been at every single one since we started this thing."

Our driveway is filling up with kids and teammates.

"One last party. I swear, and then…" I motion with my fingerssilence.

"One last party, man child."

The boys are already out the door and running into the bus with their cousin.

Izzy walks up to Rina. "The party will stay outside, okay? That was the deal." She points to me. "Right?"

"Right," I say.

Izzy bends down and says something to Rina's belly. She does every time she sees her best friend.

"So are you staying or…" I hook my thumb over my shoulder and wait for my wife to decide what she wants to do.

"You go. I'll just watch from here," she says decidedly.

"Okay." I give her a peck on the cheek and follow close behind my sons.

In the yard, my kids are already the center of attention, breakdancing the best they can while Stella dances around them.

The neighbors will probably complain about the noise.

But this has always been my dream. To dance. To laugh. To enjoy life with the people I call my family.

And that's how I always hope it will be.

The love doesn’t end here…

If you love these characters—go read Ryker and Izzy’s story in Pucked Together. It’s a brother’s best friend, grumpy goalie meets sassy team photographer romance with all the laughs and love from our Heatwave boys.

Read Pucked Together on Amazon!

Here's a sneak peek:

Chapter One

Izzy