Page 79 of Ice Block

I’ve already been working on multiple campaigns for Shelly and her new company, Luca Bellezza. We wanted to create a brand that implied youth and beauty, so we went Italian. It did really well with focus groups, so we ran with it. And the brewery Bougie invested in is doing unbelievably well, because…of course it is. I swear that kid swings and never misses. He gets a lot of flack from his teammates, but I see right through him. Just like I did with Vladi. Jordan Boucher has a heart of gold, and no one can convince me otherwise. I owe him a lot for the opportunities he’s brought me, not to mention the pushing and prodding he did to get Vladi and I together.

Luckily, Vladi and I have found ways to make the physical distance work between us too. Liv, and her inability to keep secrets, mentioned a bluetooth toy Hayes got her, and I’m pretty sure every one of the WAGs has purchased one since that brunch admission. What I wouldn’t give to see a seismometer of Milwaukee afteraway games with the number of vibrators simultaneously shaking the earth’s crust.

I’ve realized we’re one of those couples who loves to be together, but also need some time to ourselves. Kind of like puzzle pieces clicking together but still holding their own shapes. But, at the end of the day, there’s nothing I love more than having him here. The second he gets home, and immediately unpacks his suitcase like a psychopath, he refuses to leave the house. Even when he’s stomping around and grumbling about how the human population has become too loud, it makes me smile.And my God, he is such a hermit.I drag his ass out and make him buy me a nice dinner every once in a while so he can see the light of day. He acts like he hates it, but I see the way his face lights up when he introduces me to someone. It makes Melissa do her Simone Biles routine behind my rib cage every time.

Even more surprising? He’s madememore of a homebody. Curling up on the couch with my big broody goalie, his glass of vodka and my glass of wine, as we read books side by side, his thumb absentmindedly rubbing my shoulder, has become my favorite date night. I never used to understand the whole opposites attract thing. But now that I’m literally living it? I can’t picture anything else.

Approaching my desk, I look at my best friend and my heart soars. Our friendship is something rare—always seeing and appreciating one another for who we truly are. Her finding Hayes was the beginning of me finding Vladi. I can’t stand the thought of being away from her every day.

“Wow, that was quick, Mags! How was Mike?” Liv asks, leaning across our shared cubicle space.

“He was cool as shit about it, as I figured he would be, but I do have to pack up my desk and go.”

She gives me a knowing look as I start packing things from mydesk in a box. “How crazy is this? Who would have ever thought a couple years ago we would be here. Both with NHL players who happen to be best friends. I’m so happy you found Vladi. He’s needed someone in his life to push past the mask of strength he wears, and so did you. When I met Hayes, I never in a million years would have matched you two up. But now?” She laughs to herself, twisting her ring around her finger. “I can’t see it any other way. There is no one else on this earth that could put up with either one of you.”

I lean over to hug her, my eyes fighting the tears threatening to fall.God, I love my bestie.

We’ve worked here for so long, we know each other’s ins and outs. Vladi is my guy, but Olivia is my person, and I know she’s not going to want to work forever. I know they want kids, and she won’t want to work after that. Not to mention, one of the songs she wrote got picked up as a theme song for a new reality series coming out calledYou’re The One. But, for now, our time at Lakeshore has come to an end.

Thankfully that doesn’t mean our little team has to get broken up.

“Alright, my turn,” she says as she heads into Mike’s office with her letter to resign as well. And there’s no one else I’d rather have than my best friend to be the first official employee at Little Fox Branding.

54

vladi

Don’t think about that word.Focus on the puck.Keep your eyes forward, scanning the ice.Talk to me ice.Tell me which way this cocksucker is going to go. He’s keeping the puck in front of him, which tells me he’s going to pass. He does. Bougie is there and gets a great hit in, forcing the puck back to the boards. Now it’s back up at the blue line on my right, passed over to the left. The Colorado Storm’s top scorer, Jake Brooks, is crowding my crease. Tay shoves him out of the way and I risk glancing up.Ten seconds left on the clock. Ten seconds to keep this puck out of the net. The Storm pass back and forth, trying to find a way to beat me. My defensemen desperately try to clear it.Don’t think about anything but that puck.It’s bad luck.

The puck flies up to the top of the zone again, and I see Brooks pull back his stick for a one-timer. I follow it across the ice, never looking away.You can do this.I don’t know how much time is on the clock, but I don’t care. My only job is to stop that puck. Time stands still as I follow the shot with my eyes, right to my stick, the puckbouncing off and heading away from the net. I shift on my skates, ready for the next attack, when the horn sounds.

My teammates all scream, cheer, and tackle me at the goal line. A shit-eating grin spreads across my cheeks.We won. This was my fiftieth career shutout, and a new Riders record. I can breathe now, finally saying the word out loud.Shutout.I got a shutout. I don’t know how to feel. I am numb. Excited. Buzzing. In fucking awe of the last sixty minutes.

In shock, I look a few rows up to see her standing there in my jersey jumping, screaming, and hugging her friends. This is all new for me. Having someone here again just for me. Cheering me on. There are thousands of fans here, but they don’t get me.Not like she does.They don’t get that I’m not your typical broody goalie. Yes. I brood, if anything, I’m known for it, but she sees past all that. She sees me. Vladimir. The Wolf. And she’s my little fox.She has no idea I made a promise to myself to propose after I got my fiftieth shut out,but she’s about to find out. She’s probably going to want to hyphenate her name. I’ll argue with her to rile her up, but I’ll let her win.I always let her win.I’ll lose every game if it means she gets to win in life.

I never thought my best friend moving to Milwaukee to join the Riders would be such a catalyst in my life. I never imagined it would lead me to having a woman I love and loves me in return. Never thought I would experience this much healing. All because of some damn bourbon. Not vodka. Bourbon.I’ve clearly spent too much time in America.But, here I am, a fan. While my biggest fan, my soon to be fiancée, smiles and winks as she makes her way down to the locker room to congratulate me.

I miss my mother and my father. I miss Russia. But Milwaukee is my home now. I love that it gets cold and the humidity stays low in the summer. And it’s home to the woman of my dreams. Myfuture wife, who is the air in my lungs and the blood pumping through my veins.

Maggie fucking James.

epilogue

Jordan

“Bougie! Who’s your new girlfriend?”

“Hey, Jordan! Is this one serious?”

“Bougie…you gonna win the cup this year?”

The paparazzi yelling at me as I walk from my limo into the hotel in Vegas, where the team is staying for our upcoming game, is giving me a damn migraine. One of my favorite things about living in Milwaukee is the lack of paparazzi there. It’s a big city but it feels like a small town. The press leave me alone there. Bars like Walt’s don’t call any extra attention to me. It’s fucking amazing.

It’s the away games that get to me. As I step into the elevator, my arm around a girl, I force a literal award-winning smile and press the button for my floor, watching the doors finally close, cutting off the constant barrage of questions and cameras in my face.

I turn to Hannah, giving her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, cuz. I appreciate you playing along, as always.”

“Anytime JJ. You know I love ya.”

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