Page 98 of Ice Me Baby

He begins walking my direction when his father recovers enough to sputter. “Dean! Do not walk away from me, I wasn’t done speaking.”

Without taking his eyes off me, he yells back, “Well, I’m done listening. Not that I was doing much of that anyways.” I watch some sort of realization flashes in his eyes, and he stops to look over his shoulder. “You've been telling me how to do my job as a hockey player for years. Yet you have no idea how to play the game or how the game works. You have no idea how relationships between the players work to play the game, nor do you care. If you want a pliable Lewis you can control, maybe you should make another one because I’m done. I’m done trying to make you proud and hoping you’ll give me even an ounce of the respect you give my sister. I don’tneedyou to be proud of me anymore, Dad. I don’t even need your attention.” He turns back to me with a soft smile. “I have people in my life who care no matter I win or lose.” He rushes to me now, and once he's in front of me he wraps me in a huge sweaty hug.

I laugh as I hug him back. “I was about to step in, but it seems you had things handled.”

“I don’t care about his opinion anymore. He’s not the one I’m trying to impress,” he whispers.

I squeeze him tighter and say, “You don’t have to impress me. I’m proud of you either way.”

“Then say it,” he demands, though it sounds more like a plea than a demand.

I pull away so I can look up at him. I give him the most genuine smile I can muster, which isn’t hard. “I’m so proud of you, Dean.”

He hums before pressing his lips to mine. I chuckle into his mouth when I hear, “Well, where is my congratulations kiss?”

I look over Deans shoulder and find Mac standing there with a grin. “Get your ass over here, and I’ll kiss you too.”

He doesn't hesitate, making his way over to position himself at my side. He doesn't seem bothered that I’m still in Dean’s armsas he presses his lips to mine. He smiles down at me. “I love you, Lizzy.”

I grin up at him as I reply, “I love you too, Mac.”

Dean nips the lobe of my ear to get my attention, and he grunts, “I love you, too, you know.”

I press a quick kiss to his cheek. “I love you too, Dean.”

Pulling out of Dean’s arms, he reluctantly releases me. I give them both a wink as I back away. “Who wants to celebrate at the apartment?”

The guys look at each other before Dean asks, “What type of celebration?”

I grin as I pull down the top of my jersey enough so they get a glimpse of the baby-blue lace bra I’m wearing. “The type where whoever catches me first gets me all to themselves for the night.”

Mac smirks and asks, “What if we catch you together?”

I shrug. “Then, I suppose you both get me.”

Dean bumps Mac’s shoulder as he groans, “Let’s get our girl.” They begin taking large steps toward me, and I turn around with a squeal and take off toward the exit.

My love story may have started with betrayal, but it ended with two men who showed me what love could be if I gave them a bit of trust. The ice will always be my first love, but it introduced me to true love and family.

Epilogue

Ican see the team’s defeat in their eyes as the game ends. We were down by one point, in game seven of our journey to the Stanley Cup finals. The moment Dean is close enough, I wrap him in my arms. He’s on the ice while I'm still in the bench area which puts me in the perfect position for him to bury his face into my neck.

“I’m so proud of you,” I whisper into his ear.

“We lost...” he mutters into my neck.

“That doesn’t make me any less proud of you. There’s always next year.”

He hums into my neck as he pulls me closer. My eyes meet the rest of my boys’ as they skate closer. I open my arms with a grin. “I’m proud of you guys. You did amazing!”

Mac gives me a small smile as he joins the hug with Dean and I. Taz and Vicy pat the top of my head as they make their way toward the exit. I notice Daisy waiting there for them. Aspyn is in her arms as she gives them both a side hug. I don’t know what she’s saying, but I can see their spirits lifting in her company as Aspyn reaches out for Taz.

He smiles as he takes the small girl into his arms, and they head toward the locker room.

Mac’s voice jerks me out of my spying. “Are you trying to play matchmaker, Lizzy?”

I give him a crooked smile as I reply, “I don’t think there’s much I need to do.”

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