Page 43 of For Pucking Keeps

“I love you, Mr. Bailey!”

If I smile any wider I may dislocate my jaw. I love that she is not shy about her affection for me, such a contrast to months ago when it was the only three words I wanted to hear from her.

“Bailey! Swoon later!” Coach Lennox shouts as my team begins to skate off the ice.

With one last glance at Alexis, I wave to her sisters, then skate toward the tunnel to prepare for the start of the game.

In the month since Alexis’s signing she publicly announced who she is to the world. Basically, Jazminne Starr still exists, but it is as it should be, just a pen name, her brand. With our very public reunion a month ago the book signing event went viral. Our kiss made it around the world before we pulled apart to breathe. Everyone knows who Alexis Rhodes is now, another thing I am grateful for.

Although I will always look at our time apart as some of the darkest months of my life, I know now that she needed them. Healing her heart and mind will always come first. I would have loved to have helped her through it, but it was something she needed to do for herself. Besides, I would have tried to kill Shaun for the libel case bullshit he tried to pull. Luckily he didn’t get a penny and he lost his job with Wells Publishing, so that’s a win.

Alexis and I are living one day at a time. It’s like I told her months ago, we have to learn to bask in the sun when we can together. Now we are learning to talk to each other, more so than ever. Having built our relationship on honesty and trust, it was easy. Well Alexis omitting information pertaining to her book notwithstanding. . .the trust and honesty are still there. We’ve been inseparable, after months without her, I refused to go anywhere without her. If I could have snuck her on the team jet I would have, instead I flew Alexis and Lia first class for our away games. I need her, she’s my ace in the hole, my drive to win, and every move I make now has her in mind. Alexis is my future, and I know without a doubt she will be my wife. What is the point in waiting when she is my final destination? After tonight, we have the rest of the summer together, and I am not wasting a second of it.

Retaking the ice, we stand in formation ready for the pregame events to begin. “Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and remove your hats for the national anthem,” the announcer says excitedly. I glance down the line at my teammates, they’re calm, focused, and have game faces in place. It’s time to win this damn thing.

A moment later an acoustic guitar strums the first notes of the national anthem, and all heads turn to the center of the ice. Standing between both teams, taking center stage, is none other than Brea. Ridley fidgets next to me, the only sign he’s affected by her presence as she belts out the anthem to a reverent crowd. Heads held high, gloved hands over our chests, my heartbeat speeds up as the last cord rings out across the area. The applause is deafening as Brea bows then is escorted off the ice, but not before she turns to our team and gives a thumbs up of support. Clearly showing the home team who she is rooting for. Well, not who, but whom.

“If that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is.” I nudge Ridley as we all break from our lines for the start of the game. Ridley grunts but says nothing in response as he watches Brea’s retreating form until she hands her guitar off to someone and takes a seat next to Lia.

“And she’s staying for the game,” Devan teases, circling around him. “Just like old times.”

“Both of you shut up. We’ve got a game to play,” Ridley finally replies, but he can’t hide the slight smile on his lips underneath his cage. I see it, he’s not fooling anyone. I guess it’s my turn to sit back and watch how his story plays out.

The ref drops the puck in the opening faceoff and the game starts with a bang. I gain possession of the puck, passing it to Maxwell, who turns, evading Toronto’s defensemen in a flurry of twists and spins. He aims, shoots and scores within the first few seconds of the game. He roars like a madman as the celebratory horns go off around the arena. The fans go wild as he collides with the boards, hitting the plexi-glass and riling up the crowd even more. Coach Lennox pumps the air with his fist and claps from the sidelines as we all take turns patting Maxwell on the back.

“Alright, newbie! You’ve graduated. I’m going to call you Quick Draw from now on!! That’s how you score, baby!” I shout as the game continues.

Toronto comes back minutes later, getting a puck past Bast to tie up the game. The ice turns into a battle royal after that. Fights break out during the first and second period, neither team giving the other an inch of leeway to score. It’s messy and bloody, the fans are getting a Stanley Cup show to remember. As we approach the third period both teams are eager to break the stalemate we are in. Now, it’s all down to this moment and how hungry we are to win.

As the puck drops, Toronto gains possession, but Ridley steals the puck back from their forward and shoots down the ice toward the goal. Devan and Keegan clear the way for him, crushing Toronto’s defensemen against the boards with audible grunts and curses. Ridley maintains focus, aiming for Stockman, Toronto’s goalie. He’s just as good, maybe second stats wise to Bast, so scoring won’t be easy. Stockman taunts Ridley, squatting low in challenge as they prepare to take each other one on one. As Ridley gets close the cheers from the crowd spur him on as he begins to deke the puck, once, twice, three times, then he cuts left as Stockman drops down in anticipation to catch the puck. Ridley skates past him though, circles around the back of the goal and slaps the puck past Stockman on the right side. The shot is flawless, and I am racing towards Ridley, chest bumping him so hard we both fall on the ice. We are tangled in a puppy pile as Devan jumps on top of us both.

“Yeah! Rid!!” he yells.

“Masters! Score!” The announcer shouts as horns go off and the cheering from the fans is thunderous. The applause is so loud I can feel the vibrations. We don’t get a chance to celebrate as the puck is back in play and we are chasing down Toronto for most of the third period. Shot after shot, check after check, both teams are fighting it out to the end.

“One more!” I shout to Devan as he passes me the puck. I glance at the clock as the seconds tick down to the end of the game. I speed down the ice, barely missing a head on collision with two desperate defensemen, but Devan and Keegan barrel through the both of them, allowing me room to skate on. My heart is beating rapidly in my chest, my breathing steady, my focus absolute. It’s now or never as I near the crease. I fake out Stockman, turning slightly to the left, I scoop up the puck, catching it on the tip of my stick and fire. The puck soars over his head, hitting the back of the net with a swoosh.

There is no time for Toronto to make any sort of comeback. The clock hits zero, the horns blare, and confetti rains down over my head as my knees buckle and I hit the ice. Fuck! We did it! I did it! I find her eyes in the crowd and I see her pride, love, and triumph before I am crushed by my teammates and swallowed in a puppy pile.

“Vipers win! The Vipers win the Stanley Cup!” The announcer screams and the fans go wild. The cheers are deafening as they all began to chant, “Mountain! Mountain! Mountain!”

ALEXIS

“Eyes closed, Supernova,” Tor says as I feel the car curving left and then right along the road we are on.

“I have them closed, Mr. Bailey.” I huff out, crossing my arms over my chest impatiently. I’ve had my eyes closed for what feels like hours, but I will continue to humor this man because hell, I love him.

Tor scoffs. “Baby, we are almost there, I promise.” His hand grabs mine and gives it a reassuring squeeze. I cling to it, not wanting to give it back to him. Now that the hockey season is over, Tor is all mine for at least the next five weeks, and I want all of him, all the time.

“You sure you don’t want to tell me where ‘there’ is? I mean, haven’t we had enough excitement these last few days?” I tease, thinking of all the celebrations and parties we’ve attended after his Stanley Cup win a week ago.

“Tired of partying, baby?” Tor asks in understanding. As much as I like being out with him, I am happiest when it’s just the two of us. Call me selfish, but I don’t want to share him if I don’t have to, and I am sure he feels the same way. Now that the world knows Alexis Rhodes, there is no hiding for me, now all we have is our little private bubble we create for each other.

“Truth,” I state, knowing what he’s going to say but needing him to say it all the same.

“Always, Supernova.” He runs his thumb across the top of my hand, soothing me. I smile because this man—he’s just easy to love.

“Yes, after the last few months, I’m tired. I’m looking forward to some down time before I start on my next book, and you go into preseason training. Is it wrong to want to keep you to myself?”

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