Page 117 of Major Penalty

I bury my face against his shoulder, breathing hard, and then it spills out of me, quiet, raw, and trembling.

“I thought I let you down.”

He pulls back to look at me.

“I thought I’d ruined everything. That you’d never look at me the same again. That you’d stop wanting me around.”

“Ares…” His jaw clenches, and his eyes are red.

“Iwantedto tell you,” I whisper. “We both did. I was gonna…after the game. We were trying to do it right, but when you saw us…” I shake my head. “I thought I let you down.”

“Ilet you down, not the other way around.” Brown’s hand lands on my shoulder, solid and grounding.

I stare at him, that ache in my throat thick and clawing.

“You could never let me down, Ares,” he says. “Never.”

“I’ll protect her,” I say. “I’ll be the best I can be for her. I’ll give her everything I have. I swear on my life.” I swallow, my jaw tight and voice shaking as I say, “You gave me everything. You gave me my entire life. Now, let me be everything your daughter deserves.”

Coach doesn’t speak at first, then he gives a soft, crooked smile.

“Nothing would make me prouder, son,” he says.

And then he pulls me in again, and I let him. And just like that, I break again.

But this time, it’s not because I’m falling apart. It’s because I’m finally being put back together.

Epilogue

~IRENE~

The sun blazes high over Ares’ mansion. A place he once built for solitude is now overflowing with laughter and the sound of clinking glasses. It’s strange, surreal even, to see so many people here. Ares told me he’s never had guests over like this before.

But today? The Panthers are heading for the Stanley Cup. And everyone who matters is here.

My father is standing by the grill, cracking jokes like he’s not the same man who once looked at Ares like he was a wildfire too dangerous to let burn near his family. Now, he’s flipping burgers beside him, laughing and clicking his tongs.

And Ares…God, Ares is glowing. He’s relaxed and happy. His hair is damp from pool water and champagne. His smile is sharp, boyish, and free. He’s breathtaking.

On the lawn, the kids from the center are scattered like sunlight, some kicking a ball around with Langley, others hunched over sketchpads with brand-new crayons Ares bought. Tommy’s shrieking with laughter as Davidson swims circles around him in the pool. Livia and Avery are in lounge chairs, drinks in hand, watching the chaos unfold with grins.

“Bro, your house is insane.” Langley stumbles into Ares, tipsy and laughing. “Why the hell haven’t we been here before?”

Ares throws his head back and laughs, really laughs, and my heart does a somersault. That sound? It’s freedom. He claps Langley on the back, says something I can’t hear, then turns and makes his way toward me.

He walks through the celebration like it’s all background noise, like nothing matters more than reaching me. He’s still damp, shirt clinging to his chest, aiming a wicked grin just for me. Those pale blue eyes, even lighter in the sun, are fixed on me like I’m the reason this whole day exists.

“You calmed down yet?” I ask, my arms crossing as I rest against the bar, teasing him.

“Not even close.” He snorts, his eyes crinkling. He leans in and presses his lips to mine. “But you make it easier. You always do.”

“They love it here, you know.” I grin up at him.

“I only care if you do.”

“I do,” I say, raising my arms around his neck.

His hands slide around my waist, and before I can say another word, he’s picking me up. My laughter gets swallowed by his kiss—deep, sweet, and slow. Like we finally have all the time in the world.

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