Page 135 of Coach's Temptation

I don't even need to think about it. My eyes find Natalie's, and everything else fades away. There's barely a decision to make.

"Tell them thanks, but no thanks." My voice carries across the hustle of media and celebrating players. "I've got everything Iwant in Iron Ridge. You'd be crazy to leave that town, and I'm not going anywhere."

Natalie's breath catches, her fingers tightening on my arm. The ring on her left hand catches the arena lights, sparkling like her eyes.

Natalie spins in my arms, catching my gaze. "Hunter, are you sure? We can work it out. I'll travel with you."

I shake my head. "Baby, the Olympics would've been incredible, sure. But this is better. You've been right all along, Iron Ridge is home, baby."

The reporters start shouting follow-up questions, but I just pull Natalie closer. Let them speculate. Let them write whatever headlines they want. Years ago, getting cut by Vancouver felt like the end of my world.

Now I know it was just the beginning of finding something better.

The Icehawks are finally presented the Cup and my team goes wild as they pass it from player to player. I stand back and laugh as they each try to lift it higher than the last, eyes shining with joy that I only imagined as a kid who fell in love with hockey all those years ago.

Blake grabs the cup, taking his turn before pointing a finger straight at me.

"Coach Brody," he calls, his voice rough with emotion. "Get your ass over here. Come get what’s yours."

I shake my head. "That isn’t mine, boys. That's yours."

Natalie gives me a shove in the back. "No, it'sours."

But it's too late. Blake's already shoving the Cup into my hands. The weight is staggering. Not just the metal, but everything it represents.

I lift it high, letting the roar of the crowd wash over me as tears threaten to fall as I lower the Cup.

And then I see Wes, lingering near the edge of the ice. Arms crossed, yet his eyes have pride and joy written in their depths.

I lower the Cup, stepping toward him. For a second, we just stand there, two men who spent a lifetime chasing this moment in two completely different ways. Then, Wes gives a small nod and shakes my hand.

"Good luck at the Olympics," I tell him.

His lips quirk into something almost like a smirk. "You're really turning it down?"

I shrug. "Had better things to say yes to."

He exhales a sharp laugh, then claps me on the shoulder as he looks to my beautiful fiancé. "Hell of a win, Brody."

He steps back, disappearing into the chaos just as the sight of my mother catches my eye.

I barely have time to react before my mom barrels onto the ice, making a beeline not for me, but forNatalie.She crashes into her with an excited squeal, nearly knocking her over as she pulls her into a crushing hug.

“My favorite daughter!” Mom exclaims, practically bouncing on her feet.

Natalie laughs, wrapping her arms around her. “You only have one, but I’ll take it.”

Dad is close behind, shaking his head but grinning. “Proud of you, son. Hell of a win.”

Before I can even thank him, there’s another voice—one I wasn’t expecting.

“Natalie.”

We all turn. And there, standing just beyond the boards, looking more than a little out of place in the middle of this chaos, are her parents.

Martha and Harold Hayes. In Las Vegas.

Natalie stiffens beside me, but before she can move, Martha steps forward, her gaze locked on her daughter. Her eyes areglimmering with something I don’t think I’ve ever seen from her before.

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