Page 156 of Penalty to the Heart

Here he is—this wonderful man—willing to give his heart to someone who he knew from the start could never fully give hers to him.

“Caleb—”

“Shh, love. No more talking tonight. How about we go to sleep, love? Tomorrow is a big day, and I want to start it with my head between your thighs,” he warns lightheartedly. “So get some rest, love. You’re going to need it more than me in the morning.” He laughs, placing a sweet, tender kiss on my lips.

But I don’t sleep that night.

Instead, I leave my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat call out my name in the dark.

The next day, everything feels like it’s happening in slow motion.

Going to the arena.

Meeting our friends at the VIP area.

And watching the Guardians dominate on the ice.

The other team never stood a chance.

As everyone cheers with utter elation, having finally won the Stanley Cup after a decade, Caleb lifts the trophy over his head with tears streaming down his eyes.

My own tears freefall as I watch the man I’m in love with make a passionate speech about his brother and how Jack would be so happy that his team and teammates finally got the recognition they so richly deserved.

Caleb has suffered through so much. So much.

I will not let him suffer anymore.

It’s time I closed the door on my past and took the first step into the future—one that I fully intend to walk through with Caleb at my side.

Chapter 29

Caleb

As I walk through the halls of Mass General, everyone is cheering and congratulating me on a job well done for finally bringing the Stanley Cup home.

After a decade of losing streaks and almost wins, I can understand everyone’s excitement.

I put on a genuine smile, accepting their applause and pats on the back on my way to Jack’s room. But as soon as I walk inside, my smile drops off my face.

I would trade a million Stanley Cup trophies just for one more minute with my brother.

“Hey, Jack,” I try to put on a brave smile as I stare at his face. “How are you doing, big brother?”

Of course, he doesn’t respond, but the bit of color that is back on his cheeks comforts me somewhat.

“I have something for you,” I announce, pulling out the velvet box that has been weighing me down since it was given to me.

I open the box and stare at the Boston Guardians logo displayed on the top, surrounded by diamonds and other flashy gemstones. Usually, we only get our rings a little before the new season starts, but the powers that be in the NHL decided that Jack should have his earlier.

“We won, brother,” I say softly as I take his hand and place the ring on his finger. “We fucking won. And it was all because of you. You made us believe that we could do it. And we did. For you, Jack. We won for you, brother.”

Hot tears sting my eyes as I grab his hand, wishing he would wake up just so he could enjoy this moment with me.

Winning the cup without him was too bittersweet for words.

It was like a dream come true, yet I couldn’t fully enjoy it.

Not when he wasn’t there to experience it all with me.

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