Page 23 of So Pucking Over You

“As the years and seasons went by, I grew to love you as a brother and your family as if they were my own.”

“And my sister?” He scowls.

“She was a cute kid, thoughtful and smart. She’d make me laugh.”

He doesn’t look at me. “And you wanted to fuck her.”

“Don’t make this something it’s not. She was in college before I ever saw her as a woman. And I made damn sure to stay away from her after that. But I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve been in love with her for years. Because of our friendship I knew it couldn’t work.

“When Trevor pulled his shit, you weren’t there and there was no way in hell I was going to let her be hurt. I didn’t know until then that she’s had a thing for me for quite a while.

“None of that matters. And all of that matters. I love her. She loves me. I’ve asked her to marry me when she’s ready. I’ll love her and support her in every way possible.”

He leans over the counter and uses his half empty beer to point at me. “Bullshit. You took advantage of her, of the moment.”

“What did she say when you asked her?”

He looks away, takes a draw on his beer, then smiles. “She said if I messed this up for her she’d make sure I’d never be able to procreate any little monsters like me.”

We both laugh. Yeah, that sounds like our Oakley.

We did it. We won the Stanley Cup.

Actually, Trevor won it for us. Instead of trying to take an impossible shot, he handed it off to Gordy who buried the puck for a win.

Trevor has grown a lot the last couple months. He broke up with Sabrina and after a few slams in the press, he started acting like a teammate not a player.

Tonight is something I’ve worked years for but there was never a guarantee. It’s also my last night as a player, although only Oakley knows. Once the celebration of tonight’s win dies down, I’ll make the announcement.

I’ve loved every minute of my career, but I’m not going to miss it. Oakley fills my life and heart now. We’ve bounced a lot of options around, but we’re going to take a month’s vacation before we decide anything. The team wants her back and I’ve toyed with being an assistant coach so we can travel together.

I have the ring in my pocket and later when we’re with her family I’ll get down on my knees and ask her the most important question of my life.

“Will you marry me?”

EPILOGUE

Oakley

“CarterLee, where are you?”

“I’m in the babies’ room, Mom.” My son’s voice echoes through the baby monitor.

I glance down at the dog bed. Oh no, this can’t be good.

“Dash, I need you,” I call out knowing he too will hear what’s being said over the monitor.

Grabbing my little lavender bundle of joy, I glance at the clock. Mom, Dad and Gordy will be here any minute to meet the newest members of the family. Thank god. We can use all the extra hands.

I head up the stairs to the second floor of the ranch house. My husband’s steady footfalls aren’t far behind.

“I fixed it, Mom,” my four-year-old son proudly states from beside the crib.

I look over my shoulder at Dash. “This is all your fault, and you know it.”

“Why?” He feigns innocence.

“Because you told him the story.”