Page 92 of Three Pucking Wedding Dates

“Understood, Coach,” Reid replies first, his voice resolute. I quickly follow suit, nodding in agreement.

“Good. Now let’s get back to practice. We’ve got a championship to win.”

As we return to our drills, I can’t help but feel the weight of Iris’s words and the teasing from my teammates still lingering in the air. But for now, I have to swallow the hurt and focus on the game. That’s the only way we can move forward, both on the ice and off it.

The biting cold of the rink seems to sharpen as I skate over to Reid, my skates carving icy swirls on the surface. We exchange a look that’s equal parts exhaustion and determination, knowing we have to put Iris out of our minds for now.

“Hey, bro,” Reid says, his voice low and serious, “what are we gonna do about this whole Iris thing? If she’s already talked to Oakley, then Oakley’s probably pretty upset.”

I take a deep breath, feeling worry for Oakley settle on my shoulders. But I can’t let it crush me—not when there’s so much at stake. “We’ll deal with Iris later,” I reply firmly. “Right now, we need to focus on winning that championship. I never really thought I’d say this, but I’m glad Theo’s with Oakley right now. He’ll take care of her, even when we can’t be there.”

Reid nods solemnly, understanding the gravity of what I’m saying. He tries to lighten the mood with a wry smile. “Yeah, you’re right. Theo will take care of our girl. Let’s kick some ass on the ice first, then figure out how to deal with our fiery sister later.”

“Agreed,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder and grinning back, despite the lingering ache in my chest from the puck’s impact and the sting of Iris’s words.

50

OAKLEY

Isit with Theo on the couch, my back pressed against his chest as I try to hold back the tears that insist on falling. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close and offering comfort even though my heart feels like it’s shattering into a million pieces. Despite the warmth of his embrace, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of despair.

“Everything is just…falling apart,” I manage to choke out between sobs. “I lost my job, Iris won’t talk to me anymore…it’s like my life has turned into one big disaster.”

Theo tightens his grip around me, his chin resting on top of my head. “You’re stronger than this, Oakley. You’ll bounce back—you always do.”

“Easy for you to say,” I grumble, wiping my tear-streaked cheeks with the back of my hand. “You don’t know how it feels to have your best friend turn her back on you when you need her the most.”

“Maybe not,” he admits softly. “But I do know what it’s like to feel completely alone, and I promise you, you’re not.”

His words might be intended to soothe me, but they only serve to fan the flames of my anger and frustration. I’ve always been the dependable one, the one who picks up the pieces when everything goes wrong. And now, when I’m the one who needs the support, it feels like everyone has abandoned me.

“Then why does it feel like I’m on my own?” I demand, pulling away from him slightly so I can look into his piercing blue eyes. “Why does it feel like no one cares?”

“Because sometimes people are too caught up in their own problems to see what’s right in front of them,” he says, the corners of his mouth turning down in a slight frown. “But that doesn’t mean you’re alone, Oakley. And it doesn’t mean people don’t care.”

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to steady my racing thoughts. Theo’s strong arms around me offer a comfort I haven’t felt in a long time.

“Oakley,” he begins cautiously, “have you ever thought about leaving this city? Starting fresh somewhere new?”

I look at him, surprise etched on my face. “What are you talking about?”

“Maybe all of this—losing your job, your best friend turning away from you—maybe it’s a sign. A sign that it’s time for you to move on and try something new. I’d love for you to make your stay with us in New York a little more permanent. And I know Gray and Reid will be on board with this too.”

My mind races with the possibilities. New York is so different from the life I’ve known here, but the idea of starting over somewhere new sends a shiver of excitement down my spine. But there’s still a nagging doubt that gnaws at me. “You’d reallywant me to live with you? Just a couple weeks ago you were ready to pay me to leave.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, I was an idiot then. I couldn’t fathom that my brothers would be willing to share you, and I thought denying myself happiness was the way to solve that problem. But I was wrong. What we have, the four of us…it’s something special.”

I can hardly breathe. “You really want me to move in with you?” I ask, my voice barely audible. “Why?”

“Because I love you, Oakley,” he says, his voice firm and unwavering. “I’ve loved you since the moment I met you, and I can’t imagine my future without you in it.”

His confession leaves me momentarily speechless. The certainty in his voice, the depth of emotion shining in his eyes—it’s overwhelming. And yet…it’s what I’ve always wanted to hear.

“Are you sure?” I whisper, searching his face for any sign of hesitation.

“More than anything,” he replies, reaching up to gently brush a stray tear from my cheek. “I want to build a life with you, Oakley. I want us to face whatever challenges come our way, together. So if there’s anything I can do to help you transition to living in the same city as me, then that’s what I’ll do.”

His words wrap around me like a warm embrace, filling me with a sense of hope I haven’t felt in so long. Despite the chaos my life has become, there is one thing I can be sure of—Theo’s love for me.

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