Page 127 of Your Pucking Mom

auburn

As we stepped into Austin’s apartment right after the game, I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight before me. “I cannot believe you set up a whole party for Ledger,” I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around Austin’s as he guided me farther inside.

He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with pride. “Well, I can’t take much credit. Nova helped me with the basic planning, and then the party planner took care of the rest.”

Taking in the scene around me, I was amazed by the transformation of the space. Austin’s modern apartment was decked out in Ravens colors, with streamers cascading from the ceiling and balloon arches framing the room. In the center, a massive charcuterie table had my stomach rumbling.

Turning to Austin, I smiled, feeling a surge of affection for him. “You’ve outdone yourself, Austin. This was so kind and unexpected.” When Austin had asked me to come by his apartment first, before Ledger did, I was hesitant, but this was truly a surprise.

“I know he hates these kinds of things and told the team not to make a big deal of it, but winning his last pro game, it was something he should celebrate.”

“You didn’t know he was going to win.” I laughed.

Austin shrugged. “Losing deserved to be celebrated too.”

“I’m so proud of you for doing this for Ledger,” I said, squeezing his hand. “I know this isn’t the most comfortable situation you’ve been in?—”

He paused, turning me toward him. “Stop, Mom. At this point, we’re family and bound to be around each other.”

My smile widened, and I pulled him into a warm embrace. “I’m glad you’re here to share it with me.”

“Me too, Mom.”

My emotions were bubbling up, threatening to overflow, but the door swung open just as I was about to lose control. Stassi, Damien, and Alex walked in.

“Damn, Hart. This is impressive—all this just for Cole?” He chuckled, knowing Ledger would hate the fuss and attention but also knowing that deep down, he’d secretly be thrilled.

“Thank you guys for coming.” I walked over to my new friends and gave them a big hug. Inside, my feelings were in a whirl, but it wasn’t that old fear driving me to bolt. Instead, it was something anchoring me down. Love, joy, pure happiness, all mixed in there. It was a new feeling for me to have, but something that I welcomed.

The rest of the team, including Coach and Ledger’s parents, all piled in, and I pulled my phone out, practicing my acting skills. The plan was that I would feign an emergency at Austin’s apartment and hopefully, knowing Ledger, he’d come running down to help.

“Ledger?” I asked frantically when he answered.

“Sunshine?” His voice was panicked at my tone. “What’s wrong?”

“Can you come down to Austin’s apartment? There’s a pipe…bursting…water.” Everyone behind me was holding in their laughter.

“Already down the hall with some tools,” Ledger said, his voice ragged as he fumbled with the elevator button. I hung up, and within a few minutes, there was a banging on the door.

“Open up,” Ledger cried from the other side of the door.

Everyone was huddled in the living room and a hallway separated the entrance of the apartment and the main room, so it’d take Ledger a few moments to actually see that this wasn’t a plumbing emergency.

I walked to the door, slowly opened it, and Ledger practically pushed past me before I grabbed his arm, forcing him to turn back toward me.

I pressed my lips to his, taking in his long black hair. The beard was back after I’d insisted that it looked good. He was in his Ravens team shirt and a pair of jeans. His hair was still dripping wet from what I presumed was the shower.

“What’s wrong?” Ledger asked in panic.

I shook my head, trying my best not to burst into laughter. “I want to tell you how much I love you,” I murmured.

His face softened, his eyes wide, and his mouth parted as if waiting for me. His mouth met mine softly, and I could taste him as he pressed himself to me. “I love you too, Sunshine.”

I grabbed his hand and guided him into the living room while he clutched the red toolbox in the other hand. Once he realized there were decorations, his eyes darted to mine, then back to the crowd gathered in the room.

At least a hundred people were stuffed like sardines into the apartment. There were families, kids, his teammates, his parents, and myself. He fought tears and blinked rapidly.

A resounding “Surprise!” echoed in the apartment as people immediately came over to hug Ledger. We were surrounded by the people we loved the most. There was no urge to look back at the door or the familiar panic bubbling up. All that filled me was the warm feeling of being surrounded by love.

---