Page 117 of Captain's Claim

I've got my job. I've got my man.

I don't want-

Blake reaches for my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine as he clears his throat.

My pulse hammers so hard I can barely breathe. The entire stadium is watching, cameras flashing, thousands of voices roaring.

My heart is pounding against my ribs, my head spinning.

And then Blake lifts the mic.

"Sophia Hart, you ruined my life in the best damn way possible…"

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Blake

Iexhale slowly, taking in this perfect moment.

The roar of eighteen thousand fans celebrating our playoff berth fades to background noise as Sophia stands before me on center ice. Her cheeks are flushed from the cold, her eyes bright with confusion and excitement.

Everything has changed since she stormed into my life. The win tonight. The playoffs ahead. My team stronger than ever. Even the media - I've finally owned my story, my past, everything that makes me who I am.

But there's one last play to make.

And this play?

It's the most important one I've ever made in my life.

I catch Coach Brody's eye from the boards, and he gives me that signature stiff nod. He's helped plan all this. My heart pounds as I lift the microphone and look into Sophia's eyes.

They catch the stadium lights, those golden flecks dancing as she tries to figure out what I'm up to. Her cheeks are pink fromthe cold air coming off the ice, and a few strands of blonde hair have escaped her usually perfect up-do.

She's wearing that black wool coat I love, the one that's perfect for this moment. Her jeans hug her hips, and my team scarf - green and gray stripes - is wrapped snug around her neck.

"Sophia Hart, you ruined my life in the best damn way possible..."

The crowd quiets, hanging on every word. Sophia's eyes widen.

Even confused and probably ready to kill me for this public display, she's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

Coach Brody slides in silently behind me, pressing the small velvet box into my palm. The stadium spotlights zero in on us at center ice, creating our own private moment in front of thousands in the pitch black darkness of the stands.

"I think over the past few months, we've shown that no matter what problems might come our way, whether they're grumpy captains, snowball fights gone wrong, or the crazy world of hockey media..."

I take a steadying breath, becausefuck, my heart is hammering harder than it did in the third period.

"Sophia, I know that you and I can face anything. And we're at our best when we do it together."

My voice grows husky.

"When you arrived here, I thought I was married to this game. To the only thing I ever truly gave a damn about."

Sophia is blinking fast. My smart girl has figured this all out. Of course she has. She would have known the moment I dragged her down here that this was my plan all along.

Time to wrap things up.

"So sweetheart, tonight, I want to make damn sure I don't ever let you go."

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