Page 51 of Taking The Shot

Salas, mid-brawl, grunted, “Keep pounding…” then froze as realization hit.

Every single man on the ice seemed to register it at the same time.

A half-second of silence.

Then, in a perfectly synchronized, guttural yell, they all shouted:

“THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID!”

And just like that, the fight crumbled.

Laughter broke out on the ice, echoing through the rink, fists still half-raised but forgotten. Salas, barely suppressing a smirk, extended a hand toward Keith, who took it gratefully—especially since Perry had just landed aparticularlyunfair shot to the groin. The only thing saving his dignity right now was his protective gear.

The referees were screaming, whistles blowing, arms waving like traffic cops in a hurricane, but Keith barely noticed. He skated off toward the penalty box, shoulders aching, knuckles sore, but with a victorious smirk pulling at his lips.

He turned toward the stands, locking eyes with his family.

Six thumbs shot into the air, lined up in proud, unwavering support.

Keith returned the gesture, flashing his own thumbs-up.

Worth it.

Hours later, the car vibrated with the high-pitched energy of Paige’s voice as she bounced in her seat, too amped up to be anything but pure chaos. “And did you see Daddy tonight?” she practically shouted, her excitement filling every inch of the space. She was addressing anyone who would listen—whether they wanted to or not.

Keith barely had a second to process the words before Constance shot him a look, the kind of look that made his heart clench, and his stomach flip. Pure pride. Pure adoration. The kind of look that made a man feel ten feet tall. He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss against the back of it, inhaling the lingering scent of vanilla and something sweetly, intoxicatinglyher.

Today might have been the best day of his entire life—if you started counting at midnight.

Not only had they finally figured things out between them, but the Wolverines had clinched their first win. And more importantly? Paige and Kayla hadseenhim. Not the carefully restrained version of himself he had been trying to be for them. No, they had seen him in his element—fierce, aggressive,alive. And, much to his utter delight, his daughters had eaten it up like a pair of little bloodthirsty heathens.

They hadcheeredfor him when he checked a guy so hard the boards rattled. They hadscreamedfor him to throw a punch. And when the gloves hit the ice, and fists started flying, they hadhowledlike feral little wolverines who’d just discovered violence was their new favorite pastime.

Keith chuckled, shaking his head. Yeah. They were his little heathens. And he loved them to pieces.

“Man, that was so good,” Paige gushed, practically vibrating in her seat. “I’m gonna learn how to do all of that, and people betterwatch outbecause I’m gonna clear the ice with their carcasses.”

Keith nearly swerved off the road, laughing.

“It’s not about starting a fight,” he said, dragging in a deep breath and attempting to insert some wisdom into his daughter’s pint-sized warlord’s brain. “It’s about supporting your team, standing up for yourself, andknowing when to let it go.”

Paige, undeterred by his weak attempt at morality, grinned like a tiny demon. “And when topound them into the ground.”

Keith let out a sharp laugh, nodding despite himself. “And when toappropriately—” he stressed the word “—pound them into the ice.”

He caught Constance biting her lip in amusement beside him, her gaze flicking to his face with somethingdangerousin her eyes. Something that made itveryhard to focus on driving.

“That was a good game,” she murmured, voice quiet but loaded with meaning. “So much discussion about pounding, Keith…”

Keith gripped the wheel a little tighter. Heat crawled up his spine, settling low in his stomach.Be good, he wanted to say, but what actually came out was a rough whisper laced with promise. “Be good…until we get home.”

He glanced at her in time to see that knowing smile bloom across her lips, mischief twinkling in her eyes. Oh yeah. Things were going to bejust finebetween them. And that relief settled deep in his chest, warm and grounding.

Then—

“So… when are we getting a cat?”

Keith blinked.

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