Page 158 of Slick Handling

“With the first round draft pick the Orion Otters would like to select McKinley Mathers. Using the pack clause adopted by the ABOHL will also be selecting Griffin Mathers and Vaughn Mathers.” I stay seated, my heart racing at what I’m hearing.

We were all drafted.

Together.

They didn’t have to select us all but they did.

We were all drafted to a pro hockey team.

“You did it!” Clover cries, throwing her arms around me and pulling me out of my head.

Griffin and McKinley are already standing up. Apollo with them hugging them as he congratulates them. Clover is on top of me in a hug, that tiny babydoll teal dress she wore probably flashing everyone her black lace panties Griffin put her in.

I stand, my hand coming down her back to smooth the dress that she is wearing to cover her. Always needing to protect my Omega.

My lips descend on hers as she holds onto me, kissing me again as my free hand strokes where my bite mark is on her neck.

I don’t think a day goes by that I’m not absolutely gobsmacked that we marked her. Not a day goes by that I don’t appreciate her coming into our lives and giving us all a chance at a once and a lifetime love.

She must have congratulated the others because Apollo takes her in, wrapping an arm around her and nodding towards where we need to go on stage.

We’re expected to pull on a jersey and a hat to take pictures.

I’ve watched Apollo wear the Otter’s jersey for the last year. To think I get to share the ice again with him and wear the same jersey fills me with pride.

My phone vibrates and I steal a look as I walk up the stairs.

Dad

Proud of you Vaughn.

I won’t reply.

I don’t know if I’ll ever reply to him again.

I didn’t reply at the birth of my brother. I didn’t reply to the happy birthday text. I didn’t reply when he congratulated me on my bonding.

No need to start now.

Some relationships won’t ever be fixed and that’s okay.

It leaves room for the good ones to grow.

Griffin is pulling on his 13 jersey and McKinley already has on his 40. That just leaves me and my 33.

I take the material in my hands. It feels so familiar. I’ve spent so much of my life putting on hockey jerseys but somehow this feels like it’s even more important than anything I’ve ever done.

My eyes seek out Clover’s. I smile as she waves at me. That small movement giving me the courage that I was searching for. I pull the material on, over my head and tug on the cap they gave me..

Smiling at the cameras to take the pictures.

Smiling because this is the life that I’ve always wanted and now I get to live it everyday.

Smiling because I’ve finally found happiness.

APOLLO’S EPILOGUE

FIVE YEARS LATER

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