Page 138 of Mr. Charming

The four of us guys stand on top of the championship parade bus, the Stanley Cup raised high above Conor’s head. The sun reflects off the silver surface, nearly blinding me, but hell if I care. The deafening roar of the crowd fills my ears, and I lean forward, putting my hands on Tedi’s stomach. She swats me off and rolls her eyes at our friends.

I stare at the tens of thousands of fans packed onto the streets, a sea of blue jerseys below.

Rowan and Henry lean over, cheering with the fans and egging them on to make more noise. This moment—this feeling—is everything. Years of grinding, sacrifices, pain, and passion have given us this moment. Conor passes the Cup to me. I held it in Florida and again in Nashville, but this feeling never gets old.

I scan the crowd of fans, all the ones who rode out this year with us. My heart swells at the look of pride beaming from their faces. Henry takes the Cup from me, and I pound my chest and point at the crowd, letting them know this is as much theirs as it is ours.

A microphone lands in my hand. The crowd quiets slightly, waiting.

I take a deep breath, then let it out in a victorious roar. “THIS ONE’S FOR YOU! LET’S GO!”

I move Tedi in front of me, holding her close as the crowd erupts. The bus keeps rolling, confetti swirling in the air, and for this one perfect day, I am on top of the hockey world with my girl at my side. Life can’t get any better than this.

* * *

One month later…

* * *

We’re down at Peeper’s Alley, in our private room, for what’s probably our last time because after tonight, this room isn’t ours anymore.

“I don’t think you have to take all of our stuff down,” I say to Ruby, who’s replacing some of the Falcons stuff with Colts paraphernalia.

“What do you care? You’re leaving me.”

“Ah, Rubes, we’ll be back.”

“Nah.” She waves at Conor. “You’re not going to hang out at a bar. You’ll be meeting at some kids’ restaurant now, griping about playdates and helicopter moms.”

I run my hand over Tedi’s stomach, and she places her hand over mine.

We all knew it was time we left The Nest. Tedi and I wanted more room for the baby, and Kyleigh said she was growing tired of all the girls loitering around. Eloise and Conor have some bucket list items they want to check off.

But the kicker was that the same developer Jade and Henry are working with had just bought three houses on their street.

“You guys are really moving onto the same street?” Ruby asks.

We all look at one another. “Yeah,” we say in unison.

She shakes her head. “Thank God you’re leaving then, because I don’t want your crazy to rub off on me.”

She walks out of the room, and two large bodies walk in.

Easton holds out his hand. “Keys please.”

Ruby walks back in and points at Easton. “This one is going to be a problem.”

We all laugh.

“I’m good people. I’m from Alaska.” Easton sounds legit offended.

Ruby stares at him as though he’s crazy too. “Exactly, you’re not used to women. What’s the ratio between men and women up there? This room is sacred.”

Easton looks from her to us. “What did you tell her about me?”

“Tell them the rules, boys.” She shuts the door when she leaves.

Easton and Decker sit, looking after Ruby as though maybe they’re a little afraid of her.

---