Page 71 of Falling for You

I grin because, yeah, I know exactly what he’s like, and Avery laughs before dragging me toward the building I got banned from.

“Uh, Avery, can I even go in there now after we got kicked out?” I ask, and she laughs louder.

“Of course you can,” she replies, “Taylor would have fixed it the moment he’d found out.”

I nod, knowing she’s right, but it doesn’t stop my gut from tightening as we walk up to security. When they notice us, they nod and remove the rope, and I frown and ask, “Where is everyone? Normally, this place is pumping with people.”

It’s why I was worried about bringing Hudson despite knowing Taylor has a private table.

“The team requested it for the night, or that is what Tony told me this morning. Taylor knew you couldn’t come to the game and wouldn’t want to be away from Hudson after working all day,” Avery informs me, and I nod because, well, that makes sense, I guess.

I look up as we walk inside, but I pause. Everyone is looking my way, but it’s not all the people, including Kelly, that have gotten my attention. It’s the room full of my favorite flowers, a list I gave Taylor our first night during twenty questions that we continued after having another round of sex.

My eyes lock with the man I’m in love with and I whisper, “Taylor,” as my heart pounds and I take in his attire.

Black slacks, a black button-down shirt with a few buttons undone, showcasing his family tattoo across his collarbone, and dress shoes.

He looks so goddamn handsome.

“Firecracker,” he says gently, and I lock eyes with him again as I slowly walk his way, ready to be in his arms. But as I get close, instead of pulling me and Hudson into him, he kneels on one knee, and my eyes tear up.

“From the moment I saw you in this room, I felt this pull to be near you,” he starts and my tears fall, “but you didn’t even look twice at me, which definitely brought my ego down a couple of notches,” I grin as everyone chuckles. He continues, “But when I had my chance, I made the best decision of my life walking up to you because as soon as we locked eyes, I knew you were my one. For months after you disappeared, I had been trying to find you to no avail, but I didn’t give up because I knew we belonged together, and I was right.”

I sniffle as he pulls his hand out of his slacks and holds up a dark red ruby and diamond ring. He rasps, “Being with you feels like home; you center me and make me a better person. Even though we are extremely happy and content, I need you tied to me in every way possible. I want you to wear my ring and use my last name. I want you to spend the rest of your life with me. I want you to marry me.”

Hudson squeals in delight in my arms before I feel him being lifted from me, but I don’t look, knowing full well that it’ll be Nico or Crissy.

“So, what do you say, my firecracker? Will you marry me?”

I bring my right hand up and cover my mouth as I sob, but I nod vigorously. Taylor grins as everyone cheers, and he puts the ring on my finger before standing.

I don’t wait for him to take me in his arms; instead, I jump, and he catches me, lifting me a little as I press my lips against his then I cry, “I love you,” and he places his forehead against mine, his eyes teary, and replies, “I love you too, Firecracker,” before kissing me again as everyone surrounds us.

I never thought I’d get this, heck, I never thought he’d want me after so long of trying to find him, but he does, and god, I am so happy.

Chapter 30

Taylor – A Week Later

I breathe heavily as I eye the net opposite me on the other end of the rink and the objects I’ve placed randomly on the ice.

My heart is pounding, and my back is sweaty, but I ignore it all and focus on the net.

“3,2,1,” I mumble before dropping the puck and skating as fast as I can, bringing it with me by my stick. I swerve and dodge the first obstacle, moving the puck side to side, ensuring it’s close before dodging the next obstacle and the next. Without a single thought, I pull my stick back and shoot, the puck going into the net, and I huff out a breath.

I’ve been at this for over an hour, trying to improve my speed and skills so that I can be ready for tomorrow. It’s for the Stanley Cup, and I want it badly—not for me but for my team, my family, and Penelope.

I want to see my son place his hand on the cup.

Taking a deep breath, I move to get the puck to do the drill again. As I skate to the other end of the rink, I move the obstacles for the eleventh time.

I should be resting, but I can’t. I need to make sure I’m on it for tomorrow, much to Pen’s dismay.

She said she wanted to spend the day with me and that she had something to share, so I promised her dinner, and thankfully, she understood.

Fuck, I can’t wait to make her my wife.

After celebrating with friends and family, I spent the night inside her before she revealed that she didn’t want a lavish wedding. Apparently, my girl wants to go to city hall as soon as possible, which we will do the day after tomorrow. We have to get through the game, then I’ll do whatever she wants because, well, I can’t deny her.

---