Page 147 of Defensive Zone

They could be at each other’s throats for the entire series, but when the game ended, they went back to being friends or acquaintances who could acknowledge that everyone fought hard for the hardest trophy in all of professional sports. That’s what made hockey unique, so fucking special.

Then the Boston players were off the ice and the Strikers were raising their sticks to salute their fans. Shortly after that, the trophies came out. Harty was named MVP of the playoffs and they each took their turn skating a lap with the Cup.

When it was Max’s turn, he hoisted the thirty-five pound Cup over his head and yelled. Then he brought it down to his face to kiss the bowl before thrusting it back in the air and doing his victory lap.

The next hour passed in a blur of excitement and exhaustion and he tried to soak in every minute of it. When the arena was cleared out of all the fans, their friends and family members came down to the ice.

“Can I sit in it?” Connor asked as soon as he stepped onto the ice.

Max laughed and hoisted both the twins up in his arms.

“So sweaty, Uncle Max.” Amelia giggled.

“Don’t I get a hug for the goal I got for you two? It was the winning goal,” he said.

“Amanda, can you come here?” Cheesy asked, looking nervous as hell.

“What’s up, Cheese?” she asked as she walked toward him.

Everyone turned to them. Max had a pretty good idea what his captain was up to.

“So, I’ve been thinking. We finally won the Cup and the only thing better than that is having you here with me.”

“Cheese?” she asked. Now she looked nervous.

“As much as you can drive me crazy,” he said, dropping down to one knee. “You’ve made me a better captain and I think it’s about time we get married.”

“I’m not sure if that’s the best way to propose—insulting me and then demanding we get married. I don’t know…” she trailed off, but Max saw her lips tilt up in a small smile.

“You know I’m terrible with pep talks,” he said.

“He’s right, but they’ve gotten better since you came along,” Harty said.

“You’re not helping,” Cheesy grumbled.

“Oh, this is getting better. You should throw in a joke or something,” Amanda said, a full smile on her face.

Max chuckled at their antics.

“I knew I should’ve done this differently,” Cheesy said.

“Nope. This is perfect. So ask me again,” Amanda said, taunting him.

“Amanda, will you please marry me and make me crazy for the rest of my life?” Cheesy asked.

“Well, I guess if you’re going to put it that way. Of course,” she said, and then she yanked him up to stand and threw herself into his arms, her legs banding around his waist.

“That was beautiful,” Gabi said, tucking herself into his side.

He looked down to see her eyes bright with tears.

“I guess sometimes opposites do attract.”

“Pretty sure we’re proof of that,” he said. “I won you over with my charm.”

“Is that what we’re calling it? It turns out I’m a sucker for annoying pranksters.”

He chuckled. “The word you’re looking for is endearing.”

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