Epilogue
KNOX
Theree Years Later
“How much further do we have to go?”
I shake my head at how impatient my girlfriend of just over three years is. It’s something I’m used to, but I can’t help but find it amusing. Not to mention I don’t necessarily blame her since she is blindfolded and I’m leading her to our destination.
“We're almost there, I promise,” I say, squeezing Selene's hand a little tighter. The cool air of the rink is a stark contrast to the warm summer night outside.
Her lips pout, but I can tell she really wants to smile. Surprises aren't her favorite because she likes to be in control and know what's coming. Still, she's been a good sport about this one.
I stop us just short of the ice and take a moment to stare at her. Her red hair is slightly longer than it was when we were in college, and I never miss an opportunity to see her green eyes and count the freckles on her face. She's beautiful and it still knocks the wind out of me, even after all this time.
“Okay,” I say, “You can take it off now.”
Selene hesitates for a beat and then slips the blindfold over her head. She blinks and takes in the empty rink, the polished ice glinting like a diamond under the lights. Her mouth forms a perfect ‘O’ from being shocked.
“You wanted to surprise me with ice skating again!”
Add another point to the scoreboard for me.
“Knox, did you rent the whole rink out just for us?”
I shrug. “Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t.”
Selene's eyes sparkle with joy and I know every bit of effort this took was worth it. “You’re ridiculous,” she says, but I can tell she's thrilled.
I take her hand and walk her over to the bench. I had everything set up before we arrived thanks to help of the coordinators here. Things have become really easy to schedule these days because I’m now in the NHL, playing for the DC Titans. With how crazy things have been between my career and her being in grad school to get a master's degree in psychology, this felt like the perfect date-day activity that allowed us to ignore the outside world for a little bit.
“I’m way better at ice skating than I used to be.”
I look up at her as I get my skates out of the duffel bag. “I know that, and I also know it’s, at least in part, thanks to me.”
She playfully rolls her eyes at me. “Don’t let it go to your head. I practiced a lot and watched a lot of YouTube tutorials.”
We switch out our shoes for skates, and I can't help but think about the first time we did this together. She was nervous but tried her best not to show it. Hell, she went from borrowing Isla’s ice skates to purchasing her own. I grin as I watch her lace her skates with the confidence of someone who knows what she's doing.
“Ready?” I ask, standing and offering my hand.
“Hell yeah,” she says, taking it.
We wobble together toward the ice, and I brace myself for her first few unsteady moments. Selene surprises me by gliding out with a grace that I wasn’t expecting. She's come a long way, and I couldn’t be prouder.
“Show-off,” I mutter, but I'm smiling.
She spins around to face me, skating backward with ease now. “Maybe you'll have to start watching out for your job,” she teases.
I burst out laughing. “Oh yeah? You think you can take on the pros now?”
Selene shrugs as if she doesn’t have a care in the world. However, her grin is huge, telling me that she’s joking even though I knew that she was. “Give me a few more YouTube videos and who knows?”
That makes me belly laugh to the point where it even takes me by surprise. I speed up to catch her, and she lets out a mock scream, turning just in time for me to grab her around the waist. We slow to a gentle glide as I hold her close.
“Seriously though,” I say, kissing the top of her head, “I'm really proud of you.”
“For my skating?” she asks, tilting her head back to look at me.
“For everything,” I say. “For putting up with my insane schedule, for killing it in your program, for still finding time for us.”
Selene's expression softens. “Knox, you know this works because we both put in the effort. It’s not just me.”
I release her gently and we skate side by side in silence for a moment. She's right. We've both worked hard to balance our dreams and our relationship. It hasn’t always been easy, but standing here now, it’s clear that every sacrifice has been worth it.
“Remember when you tried to teach me how to stop?” she says after a while.
I chuckle. “Which time? The second lesson where you crashed into the boards, or the third one where you took me down with you?”
“Both. You were so patient.”
“I had selfish motives,” I admit. “Any excuse to spend more time with you.”
“Well, it worked out pretty well for you, didn't it?”
“Yeah,” I say softly. “It really did. And I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Selene slows down, causing me to circle around her. She bites her lower lip, a telltale sign that she's deep in thought. I come up beside her and take her hand again.
“What's on your mind?” I ask.
She looks at me, then she looks away before her gaze meets mine once more. “Knox, I've been thinking...”
Oh fuck. Here it comes. The big “we need to talk” moment.
“...about how lucky we are,” she finishes, squeezing my hand.
Relief washes over me so intensely that I almost laugh out loud again. Instead, I just nod, trying to play it cool. “We are pretty lucky, yeah.”
“I mean it,” she continues. “Not everyone gets to pursue their dreams and keep the person they love by their side.”
I pull her a little closer as we continue to glide. “Are you saying you love me, Selene?”
She smirks. “After three years together, I’d hope so.”
“Well, that's good to know,” I say, kissing her cheek.
We skate in comfortable silence for another few laps, just enjoying each other's company. It feels good to just be on the ice with the love of my life, not having to worry about the pressures that come as a result of my career.
“Race you,” Selene suddenly says, shooting off like a rocket before I can even react.
“Hey!” I shout after her, laughing as it takes me maybe a split second to chase her.
She's fast, I'll give her that. Her form looks nearly perfect from where I am. I hold back just enough to let her think she has a chance, enjoying the sight of her determination and the way her hair flows behind her.
I can’t wait to have it clenched in my fists later while I’m fucking her.
“Come on, slowpoke!” she yells over her shoulder, her breath visible in the cold air.
I put on a burst of speed and close the gap between us. At the last moment she swerves, and I almost plow right into the boards. I manage to stop just in time, turning to see her laughing.
“Thought you had me there, didn't you?” she says, panting slightly.
I skate over to her slowly, stalking my prey if you will. “You know I could've smoked you if I wanted.”
“Sure,” she says, sticking her tongue out at me.
“But,” I add, stopping just inches from her, “it's more fun this way.”
She leans in as if to kiss me, then pulls back quickly. “One more lap. The finish line is where we entered the rink. Winner gets to live out one of their sexual fantasies.”
Before I can protest, she's off again. This time I don't hold back. I lower my body, digging into the ice with each stroke of my skates. All I can focus on is the finish line and Selene's figure cutting through the air ahead of me.
Halfway around the rink, I catch up and we're neck and neck. She glances at me with a mix of fear and excitement. I can tell she's giving it everything she's got. I'm torn. Part of me wants to let her win just because I love seeing her so happy, but another part of me—the competitive part—wants that prize.
We cross the imaginary line together in a blur, both of us immediately trying to slow down without wiping out. Selene grabs onto the boards, and I do a quick stop that sends a spray of ice into the air.
“That was... wild,” she says between gasps for air.
I skate over to her, my heart pounding not just from the exertion but from the rush of the race. “Call it a tie?” I offer, extending my hand.
She takes it and pulls me closer. “A tie means we both win.”
“I can live with that,” I say, just before our lips meet in a kiss.
We break apart slowly. “So, which fantasy do you want to start with?”
Selene laughs, a sound that warms me more than any winter coat ever could. “Oh, we'll have to make a list. We have all night, after all.”
“All night?” I raise an eyebrow. “I thought you had a paper due tomorrow.”
She waves me off with a flick of her wrist. “It's done. You’re not the only who keeps surprises, Hockey Hottie.”
“Well, color me impressed,” I say, “You really are amazing, you know that?”
“I know. Now kiss me.”
I pull her to me and give her a kiss that could literally set the ice ablaze. Because there’s no way I could deny her. Ever.