Hot Shot (Hot as Puck Book 2)

42. Epilogue

I skim the article on Off the Ice and decide it’s okay. I know Blake thinks I’m not concerned by what is printed about us, and I’m not as long as there’s nothing objectionable said about my wife.

I don’t give a fuck what they say about me, but my wife? Yeah, that’s a death sentence to any journalist, gossip columnist, or social media influencer.

Not that the latter is too much of an issue but if the fans pick up on something, it will be.

When Nat warned us all she was getting the Rogues website updated with the latest additions, and that included front-end office staff, we waited with bated breath to see who might notice the changes.

So far it’s been two of the more popular hockey blog sites and that’s it.

Drake wants to do a press release.

Nat wants to wait.

Blake wants to shout it from the rooftop.

I’m happy to do the last.

In fact, I’ve got just that planned for tonight. I got the okay from Nat and Oakley, and surprisingly Cami came through for me too by getting everything I need and helping me set it all up.

Tonight, I’m going to take care of my wife because I know today was a long one for her. A tough one.

For all of them really, but I’m only concerned with Blake.

I thought about taking her home and running her a hot bath, but I know she hasn’t done her usual celebration for me signing on as a Rogue. The last four weeks have been busy with negotiations with agents and players and handling the mudslinging some of the media are engaging in.

Everyone could do with a break and what better way than shouting good things from the rooftops?

I invited the others to join us up here to celebrate a couple of Rogues milestones they haven’t been able to yet. Hopefully they can relax and enjoy the balmy spring night away from prying eyes and photographers’ lenses.

Hearing voices echoing up the stairwell, I switch my phone off and tuck it away in the bag at my feet.

They’re laughing and chattering, multiple conversations happening at once, and I smile.

I have no idea how they don’t miss half of what’s said but they’re so in sync with each other, have known and worked together so long, it’s like they share a brain at times.

I’ve barely witnessed it. But what I have seen explains why they’re such a success. Even with Cami taking a back seat to the other three, the four of them speak a language all their own.

Walker’s deep tones mingle with the lighter ones and I’m glad he got my message and decided to join us. I’m hoping he’s got Micky with him.

I understand that little boy on a level I didn’t comprehend until Blake said something about me being in his shoes before. She meant losing my father young. But unlike me, Micky doesn’t have his mom to keep him grounded.

Walker and Oakley are doing their best for him, and I’ve already made it clear to them, and Blake, that I want to help them with that anyway I can.

Inviting him to take part in this little celebration is my attempt to include him in our family.

He’s part of it through his adoption but I want him to feel it as well as know it.

It’s what the Watts family gave me as a kid—hell, they’re still giving it to me, and I want to pay that forward.

“Wow!” Micky bursts through the doorway, his gaze bouncing around all the lanterns Cami helped me spread out on the rooftop.

“What’s this?” Blake’s the only one in the dark. Everyone else knew what to expect when they headed up here.

“This is a belated celebration of the newest member of the Rogues and the newest member of our family. Micky?” I call out. He’s already off checking out the food and drinks. “Come over here a sec.”

When Micky stands beside me, his face, so much like Walker’s tipped up to look at me, I get a longing so sharp and deep I have to suck in a breath.

“You know Blake, right?” He nods. “Well, she’s done this thing to celebrate good things since she was little, like you are, and I think we should make it our thing too. What do you say, want to celebrate with us?”

“Is there cake?”

Laughing, I ruffle his hair. “Yes, there’s cake but not yet. First Blake has to show us how to celebrate.”

When I look up, Blake’s eyes are on me, hers filled with tears, but the smile she gives me is all the sign I need to know I hit the mark with this idea.

“All right. Our first celebration is for Micky. Blake, you want to take the lead?”

Stepping over, she drops down to her knees and grabs Micky’s hands. “Ever since I was a little girl, I would find the tallest place around and shout about the good things that happened. It didn’t matter what it was as long as it was a good thing. I’d yell what it was or say it then yell.” Her eyes dart up to meet mine briefly. “And I think what Bran wants us to celebrate is you being here, with us. Forever.”

Micky looks confused and I get that at four he’s probably too young to understand what’s going on, but he’ll get it one day. Plus I can see Oakley has her phone out, no doubt videoing another of Micky’s milestones.

“Okay. You ready?” Blake asks.

Micky nods, his eyes moving to where Walker and Oakley are. “Can they do it too?”

“Of course. We’re all going to do it.” Holding out her hand, Blake grabs mine and gives me a quick squeeze before letting go and taking both of Micky’s again. “On the count of three we’re going to yell your name at the sky. One. Two. Three.”

“Micky!”

Our timing is a little off but not much. And by the time the last syllable fades away Micky is grinning ear to ear and bouncing on his toes.

“That was fun. Can we do it again?”

“We sure can but this time we have to yell Branton. Because he’s going to play for the Rogues. You want to count this time?”

“Yes. One, two, three. Branton!”

Micky’s excitement has us laughing and shouting my name. It’s not as loud as his and definitely not as in sync but I don’t need it to be.

A small hand curls around mine and I look down to see Micky looking up. “We’re Rogues now.”

“We are.” Crouching down, I put my hand on his shoulder and turn him to face me. “No one can ever take that away from us. From you.”

“I’m going be a real one when I grow up.”

“A real one?”

“Yes. On the ice. A hot spot like you.”

Laughter follows Micky’s words and I look around to find everyone’s eyes on us. “Well, we better get to training you then. Starting tomorrow, come to work with Walker and we can get you set up.”

Looking over his shoulder, he waits for Walker and Oakley to nod before turning back to me. “Okay, but…” he chews his bottom lip. Leaning forward he whispers, “I’m not very good yet.”

Mimicking him, I whisper back, “Don’t worry. I wasn’t very good at your age either.”

“So I can get better?”

Walker’s hand lands on Micky’s shoulder as he crouches beside us. “Yes, you can. You will. And when you’re old enough, we’ll get you in a Rogues jersey.”

“I have a jersey. LeeLee gave it to me. It has my name on it.”

Looking up I see Blake watching me closely. She knows there’s more than my childhood that draws me to Micky.

I miss Laura. I miss being a dad and I barely got the chance to experience it. But if I’m lucky, luckier than I already am, I’ll be a dad again soon.

We suspect Blake is pregnant. She hasn’t done a test or anything, but in the six weeks since she turned up in Parry Sound, we haven’t been apart and in the five weeks since we first had sex we haven’t once used protection.

My gut tells me we hit the jackpot, but I’m letting her lead this like I’ve let her lead everything else in this new life of mine.

“Should I wear my jersey tomorrow?”

Micky’s question pulls me away from Blake back to him. “Maybe LeeLee or Walker can get you a practice jersey?”

“LeeLee!” Micky is racing off toward Oakley before Walker or I can stop him.

“He’s all about her, isn’t he?” I ask, as I rise alongside my old friend who’s proving to be a damn good new one even though the line between friend and coach is one we’ll have to navigate when more players sign on with the Rogues.

“Yeah.” Walker’s gaze follows Micky and stays on him when Oakley bends down to get on Micky’s level. “She’s all about him too.”

“We both got lucky, didn’t we? Hit the jackpot when our lives changed in ways we never thought we would come back from.”

“Yep. Now we just have to make sure we don’t fuck it up.”

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of fucking it up and every intention of making sure those four women get what they want.”

“And what’s that?” Walker’s gaze snags mine.

“A successful team. A place in the finals our first year. And their hands on the Cup sooner than later.”