Page 96 of Off Season

The announcer’s voice booms over the sound system as the Stanley Cup is carried to the podium. I bite the inside of my cheek, sniffing back my emotions.

“We’re delighted to present this trophy to your Chicago Thunder captain, Ethan Parkes!”

I skate over to the League Commissioner, shaking his hand and posing for the standard photo. When he handsover the Cup, I lift it over my head and skate toward the boys before skating a lap around the rink, relishing in the screams and cries of loyal fans, bringing the cool silver to my lips, and kissing it.

A year ago, I was an empty shell. I was looking at my time here with an expiry date, when I only needed to remember that there’s more to me than hockey.

I’ve dedicated twenty years to the league, almost thirty-five years to the game, and now I’m ready for the next chapter in my life.

My foundation is nearly ready to go, and I can’t wait to help those kids. To give them the chance to be in the position I am now where they can share the ice with their best friends—the family they’ll create when they play the most incredible sport in the world.

I hand the Cup over to Kendrick and watch as each of my teammates lifts it over their heads, taking their lap of honor.

My heart fills with so much fucking pride that it feels like it could burst through my chest protector.

Once we finish taking photos, all the family is allowed onto the ice. I spot Jacob and my mom, and I immediately skate over to them, taking Jacob’s face in my hands and kissing him like he’s my next breath.

“I’m so proud of you,” he sobs, tears falling into his beautiful smile.

When he steps back, my mom practically jumps into my arms, and I have to grab hold of her so she doesn’t fall. She squeezes me as hard as she can around my protective gear, her cries filling my ears.

“I’m so fucking proud of you,” she chokes out.

The lump in my throat thickens, but I still snort at her dropping the f-bomb.

“I knew you would do it. I knew it,” she declares with a nod. “You played phenomenally, and I’m so over the moon you got to become champion again in your final season.”

“This is just a bonus.” I grin at my mom before looking at Jacob. “I became a champion in the off-season when Jacob handed over his heart to me.”

Extended Epilogue

PART TWO

Jacob

One year later - July

“Do you need help with anything?” Alex asks.

“No, I think we’re all good.” I pick up the numbered candles, carefully placing the four and zero on top of the cake we finished decorating this morning.

“It looks beautiful, Jake.” My brother is beaming as he wraps his arm around my shoulders and gives me a squeeze.

I thank him, leaning into his embrace, and glance out of the window that overlooks the backyard of our British home.

It still feels a little surreal that this is my home too. The same home where I fell in love with the most wonderful man. Only this time, it’s filled with our closest friends—ourchosen family—for the first time to celebrate Ethan’s fortieth birthday.

It’s hard to believe two years have gone by since Ethan and I were first here, but it also feels like everything is new because this time we’re here as a married couple.

Yep! Ethan proposed on Christmas morning. We both decided we didn’t want anything elaborate, so a few days later, on New Year’s Eve, we got married at City Hall. Ethan’s mom, and Alex and Blaine were our only guests, along with their dog Ernie, who came dressed in a bow tie.

After that, we all went to the Kendrick’s, who threw a big New Year’s Eve slash wedding party at their Lakeview home with all our friends.

It was perfect for us.

After Ethan hung up his skates and retired last year, he hit the ground running, launching his foundation to help underprivileged kids. Seeing him come into his own made me so proud. Not that his hockey-playing days didn’t, but knowing how much it means to him that he’s able to help a child in need—a child like he once was—is something else entirely. And seeing the joy on his face when he receives an email from a thankful parent, knowing it means the world to him, is all I could ever ask for.

Now the backyard is buzzing with activity.

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