Page 63 of Icing the Enemy

My dad says, “Raise your glass.”

The littles tug on Sophie and Renae. “We need a glass. We need a glass. That’s not fair.”

“Shh.”

My dad continues, “Kids, you have juice cups on the table.” He gives them a moment, then everyone gathers around us. “Corbin, you’ve always had a soft spot in your heart, and I knew it would take time to find your one true love. Oakley is a beautiful young lady who, from what I understand, keeps you grounded, not caring about fancy cars or food. Oakley, welcome to our family. I’m proud you have my last name. Join me in welcoming my new daughter to our family. Cheers.”

I’m holding back tears, but Oakley leaves my side, charging toward my dad, nearly knocking him over. “Thank you,” she bursts out in sheer joy.

My dad is humble and kind, but he says, “We’re hoping you know what you have in our son. He’ll treat you like a princess, but he’s deliberately stayed away from relationships, not because of hockey but because he loves hard and falls harder when it doesn’t work out. I’m asking you to give as much as you get.”

I’ve never seen Oakley silent except when we’re backed into corners. So I step in. “Dad, Oakley gives me everything I need. I promise.”

“Did he tell you I stole his truck? Because I’m thinking we should lay our cards on the table.”

“He did. But I told him you just borrowed it.” Dad laughs, getting louder and louder.

As I watch Oakley’s eyes light up with delight, her laughter mingling with the music of the surprise wedding reception, my heart grows two sizes at how much she’s enjoying this. The last thing I want for her is to be unhappy, and that’s how I made her feel this past week.

She hugs my dad, then hangs out with Winnie and the other WAGS.

I grab her from behind, kissing under her ear. “It’s time to go.”

“Aww, shoot.” Disappointed, Oakley exaggerates her frown.

“Don’t worry, the Stallion crew is coming over for a while and half of my family is staying with us. The other half at Becca’s,” I reassure her that the festivities aren’t over.

She gives me a broad smile, and I know we’ve made a large step forward today. But after my family leaves, we need to have a heart to heart.

There’s a caravan leaving the arena all of the way to my house. My family yells dibs on the rooms. My parents, Mamaw, and the littles are staying with Becca, so the twins call dibs on the room that Oakley has been staying in. I had the maid come while we were at the wedding reception, to change all of the sheets and prepare the rooms for my family. My family won’t think anything of her clothes being in that room since my closet is stuffed. Vance came from Germany on leave, so he and Isaiah are taking the room on the left, leaving Jasper and Pepper the two bedrooms in the basement.

The Stallions arrive, and we all head out to the backyard where I hired a chef from a local barbecue joint. The backyard has been transformed with a volleyball net, a couple of bouncy houses for the little kids, and tables everywhere.

Reed Cross slaps me on the shoulder. “I’m happy for you man.”

“Thanks, I just have to figure out how to hold onto her.”

His eyes crinkle around the edges. “What’s that mean? Shearer, you’re a catch. She’s just as lucky as you are.”

I scan the area to make sure no one’s around. My sister is talking to Basilio again, giving me pause. I make a mental note to ask Becca about it. Becca and I never keep secrets from each other, so this has me a little off kilter.

“I don’t know. She’s been really unhappy since we got married.”

“She seemed happy today.”

“She did. I did it for her because every girl deserves a better wedding than being drunk at a pool party.”

“But you had the ring to propose, so it was going to happen anyway, right?”

I nod and take a drink from my bottled water. “Just have to find a balance.”

“If it helps, keep her happy at night, send her flowers on days you're out of town, and send funny memes. Brooke and I have done it for years. It’s good when I’m on an away trip, and she sends me something, and I get to laugh and think about her laughing when she was scrolling through socials trying to find the perfect one for the occasion. Last week, she was a judge of a ballet competition, and she said it took her an hour to find a hockey player in a tutu. She thinks we should put on a charity event, Pucks & Tutus.”

He shows me the meme and the corresponding text.

“Sounds suggestive like fucks and tits for fucks and farts.” A chuckle rolls from my core.

“That’s why it was funny.”

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