Page 168 of The Obvious Check

Adley nods, but I can see how overwhelming it all is. I get it. The Brights aren’t just bright by name, they’re bright by nature. They’re loving and warm and it takes time to get used to what unconditional love feels like.

It's a lot. For both of us.

“Hey,” I say softly, taking her hand. “If it gets too loud or overwhelming, just let me know, okay? We can step out anytime.”

She squeezes my hand with a nod, letting some of the tension leave her shoulders.

With Atlanta pushing more marketing behind the hockey team, the arena is almost full, which is great for the guys. Madison is already bouncing in her seat with excitement, heckling the opposing team during warm-ups, and throwing Dash an air kiss when he looks over. Beside her, Tom leans down to explain the basics of hockey to Adley in the kindest, most patient voice, pointing out players and plays. It feels so good knowing she has people in her corner now.

My heart flutters when Cade enters the ice to cheers. He barely acknowledges them as he skates around the rink starting his warm-ups. The way he glides makes him look powerful and in his element. Sure enough, he’s living his dream while providing mine.

“Which one is Cade?” Adley asks, leaning forward in her seat, searching across the ice. I remember the days when I couldn’t find him on the ice either.

“Number twenty-four,” I tell her, pointing him out. “The one who's protecting Dash’s line of pucks.” Dash has a weird tradition where he likes to line up as many pucks as possible and Cade likes to stop other players from wrecking it for him. It’s safe to say there’s no more animosity between them now.

As if he can feel our eyes on him, Cade looks up into the stands and finds us immediately. When he sees Adley in his jersey, his entire face lights up with a smile so radiant it could power the arena. He taps his chest twice, points at her, then at me, then makes a heart with his hands.

Adley gasps. “Was that for me?”

“It was for both of us,” I say, my voice thick. “That's his way of saying he loves us.”

“Does he do that every game?” she asks, wonder in her voice.

“Every single one,” Madison confirms. “Your brother-in-law is disgustingly romantic, and it makes me want to gag. I can now fully understand why it took him so long to come around to the idea of me and Dash.”

The game is incredible. Fast and intense and everything I love about watching Cade play, but what makes it perfect is watching Adley experience it for the first time. She jumps every time there's a big hit, cheers when Cade scores in the second period, and by the third period she's yelling “Go Anglers!” with the best of them.

“This is amazing!” she shouts over the noise when Cade assists on the game-winning goal. “He's so good!”

“He's not bad,” I say with a grin and a full heart.

When the final buzzer sounds and the Anglerfish win, Cade skates over to our section again. This time, he pulls something from his jersey and tosses it up to Adley.

“Watch out,” I say and Adley catches the puck. She flips it around, taking it in as Cade taps on the glass.

“It’s for you,” I say.

“Your first game puck,” Madison explains. “It’s tradition.”

Adley looks up at Cade, who's grinning at her from the ice, and mouths “Thank you,” with tears in her eyes.

He taps his chest again, points at her, and mouths back, “Always.”

Later, back home…

We're all sprawled across our living room, still buzzing from the first Anglerfish game the guys will ever play. Cade’s in sweats with his arm wrapped around my shoulder while his parents share stories about his high school hockey days withme. Madison’s across the room, scratching Stanley’s head as she explains what really happened between Erik and Scotty since Dash finally broke down and told her.

“—and then Scotty apparently said, ‘I never want to speak to you ever again. Your meddling ruined everything.’” Madison continues dramatically, “I can’t believe it took them that long to—”

“What did you think of your first hockey game, sweetheart?” Linda interrupts with a warm smile, turning her attention to Adley.

Her face immediately lights up. “That was the coolest thing I've ever seen,” Adley says for the tenth time, still clutching her game puck. “Are all hockey games like that?”

“Wait until you see him play in the regular season,” Tom says with pride. “Atlanta need some pep with all their failing teams. Cade—and Dash—are going to give them something to root for.”

“I can't believe I get to live here,” Adley says softly, looking around our living room in awe. “A beautiful house with my own room, and…” she pauses, looking around at us. “I can't believe this is my family now. I just wish Briar could be here too.”

Cade reaches over and ruffles her hair gently. “We’re working on it, Ads. Until then, you know she’s welcome during all her breaks, and every time I play the Crosschecks, we’ll make sure Briar is there watching with you.”

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