Page 112 of Holiday Hostilities

“I do, too, Coach,” I say with conviction. “And for as long as the Cyclones organization lets me, I’m going to continue to be the best damn captain I can be.”

“That’s what I like to hear, Marino,” Torres says with a nod. “I suggest you go find your girl and enjoy the rest of your night. I’ll handle the media storm that’s brewing out there.”

And that’s when I know exactly what I need to do.

“Actually, Coach,” I say. “Can I join in on the press conference?”

His bushy brows fly up. “Youwantto speak to the media tonight?”

“I do.”

No more imposter syndrome. Lieberman can skewer me all he wants after this, but for now, I’m still this team’s damn captain.

And I have something to say.

45

OLIVIA

It’s a beautiful moment.

Aaron, on the ice, looking up at me with his gloved hands in a heart shape and publicly declaring mehis.

It’s the sort of thing I would have hated and shied away from until recently. Now, I’m living for it.

The damned magic of Christmas is real after all. And this holiday season is one I will savor forever.

“That is freaking adorable!” Reagan exclaims, squeezing my arm as the Cyclones start to file off the ice. “He’s obsessed with you.”

On my other side, Sofia laughs. “If he proposes to you before Jake proposes to me, I’m gonna riot.”

My eyes widen at the prospect, and she laughs. “I’m kidding. Mostly just wanted to see the look on your face at the thought of you being the future Mrs. Marino.”

I open my mouth to make some witty-adjacent remark, but what comes out instead is, “It’s not the most terrible thought in the world.”

“Ahhh,” Maddie croons. “She’s just as obsessed as he is.” Her expression takes on a mushy, sentimental quality as shecontinues, “You guys remind me of Seb and me when we first got together. Seb was just like Aaron—hockey, hockey, hockey. He was eating, sleeping, breathing it. And then, he was different. I see that same change in Aaron.” She shakes her head slowly, her eyes now on her husband, who shoots her a wink before ducking out of sight. “Amazing what can happen to a man when he makes room for love in his life.”

I glance down at Aaron, who’s the last to disappear towards the locker rooms, and he gives me one more sweet, lopsided smile before leaving the ice.

I smile back, feeling warm inside. Until my gaze snags on Lieberman.

He’s talking to Coach Torres by the players’ bench, his face red and his expression… well,pissed.

I’m not too sure why. The guys lost tonight, but they’ve been on a winning streak recently. And Brandi’s powerless now that Aaron is officially off the market. As scandalous as that photo she posted was, and as much as it got people talking, it ultimately did nothing but confirm that Aaron and I are together.

Nothing illegal or un-captain-like about a man kissing his girlfriend on his own damned front porch, is there?

Even so, as I’m watching him, it almost looks like Lieberman says the wordMarino. And he doesn’t look happy about it.

“Come on,” Sofia suddenly says, looping her arm through mine and shaking me out of my thoughts. “Shall we go to the players’ area to meet our men?”

I push away my uneasiness about Lieberman—maybe he’s just a generally pissed-off guy. And I’m sure I imagined him saying Aaron’s name. He’s done talking to Coach now anyway and is walking off.

“Absolutely,” I reply.

We make our way with the rest of the guys’ partners towards the players’ area, chatting easily while we wait. Eventually, the locker room door opens and the guys begin to come out. Seb makes a beeline for Maddie, his eyes bulging out like cartoon-hearts. Lars goes to greet Lena. Dallas makes his way out with his head dipped, looking uncharacteristically gloomy.

Jake comes out a few moments later, hands in his pockets. He walks over to us and kisses Sofia, and I avert my eyes towards the locker room doors for a moment to give them privacy.

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