Page 90 of Body Checked By the Defenseman

“We’re going out,” Hayden declares.

“The whole team is,” I clarify to Ruby.

“Good, because I came ready to celebrate,” she says.

“I’m going back to the hotel. You kids have a good night,” Abuela adds.

“Bye, Abuela. We can meet for breakfast in the morning,” I tell her.

“You guys are probably going to sleep in,” she says.

“The bus leaves at noon,” I reply.

“You go have fun. You all deserve it. I’m flying out early to get back to Mario.” She winks.

“Okay, love you,” I say to her.

We all exchange I love yous with her and she heads out, and we head out with the team for a night on the town.

We head to the club in an Uber with Finn and Charlie and Hayden. Ruby and Charlie are super pumped. Ruby is alsowearing a tight as hell dress that hugs her figure like a glove. Her honey blond locks are blown out in loose curls, and her plump lips have just the right amount of lip gloss on them.

When we get to the club, we all go straight to the bar. Some of the other guys have arrived too and we line up next to Hutch, Tyler, and Seth.

We all take shots and congratulate each other. Ruby and Charlie take shots too, and Ruby toasts Charlie for graduating. She also wishes her the best of luck with her Team USA tryouts. I never saw my life turning out like this. I wish I had my parents with me, but I am thankful for my good friends, family, and my career, but mostly I’m thankful for Periwinkle.

Ruby

With alcohol pumping in my veins and all the excitement of the night, we dance the night away on the dance floor. When Mack reaches down to kiss me and the familiar heat spreads like a wildfire through my body, I know it’s time for us to call it a night, but then he breaks the kiss.

“Periwinkle,” he says and he’s looking at me funny. “I know you want to wait until next year, but what’s the point of waiting?”

His question causes familiar insecurities to arise inside me. I try to stay positive and think about the best outcomes possible, but ever since learning the truth about my birth mom I am scared. There must be a reason she took off and left two small children. Who does something like that? She was either crazy or unwell, and I find either option unsettling because what if it’s genetic? What if Mack and I get married and have babies and I want to run away?

“What is going on in that head of yours?” he asks, holding on to the tip of my chin as he searches my eyes for understanding.

“We’re in a club. This is a memorable night. Let’s not ruin it with my insecurities,” I reply.

“You aren’t ruining anything and if something is bothering you, I want to know. I feel you skating around the whole marriage idea. I want to know why. This night and this win mean nothing to me without you in my life,” he declares, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

“Why do you have to say the most romantic things?” I ask. It sounds like a complaint, but it isn’t, Macklin is so supportive.

“I’m worried I’m like my mom.” I dip my head, unable to look him in the eyes as I make the confession. “She left two small kids behind. Maybe there was something wrong with her and it was genetic?”

“I think your anxiety is getting the best of you,” he replies. “I have fears too. I’m scared of dying in a car crash because it leaves those left behind in such pain, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

His words cause tears to fill my eyes.

“I don’t want to upset you, Periwinkle. It’s normal to have fears but if we let them dictate our life, we’ll never do anything.”

I know he’s right.

“I’m asking you to jump with me,” he says. “Although this isn’t an official proposal. The day I propose that will be the only focus. This day already has a Frozen Four championship attached to it. When we get engaged, I want it to be all about us.”

“I love that idea. And I love you.” I lean forward and kiss the hell out of Macklin.

“Okay, that’s enough, guys,” I hear Hayden from behind us and I break the kiss.

“Sorry,” I apologize.

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