Chapter 27
TWENTY-SEVEN
CLARA
The celebration takes place, but not in bed between the sheets, as we leave the locker room to the sound of applause, much to my complete and total embarrassment. My face heats as we walk hand in hand through the men who are on either side of us, clapping .
Turning my head, I look up to Luke, who isn’t embarrassed in the slightest. In fact, his chest is puffed out, and he seems proud as shit. I open my mouth to say something, to ask him what the hell is going on when he stops and turns toward them.
“That was your one fucking shot,” he announces. “Don’t be assholes.”
I’m not sure if I should smile at that or not. Actually, I’m not really sure what’s going on at the moment, so I just stand next to Luke, no doubt appearing like a deer in headlights. Luke’s hand releases mine as he slides it around my waist and tugs me against his side.
“She said yes,” he roars. “Clara and I are going to get married.”
The room erupts in applause again, but this time, I don’t feel like I’m on display, a spectacle, or embarrassed. This time, I’m full of excitement. The entire Cleveland Vortex are cheering for us. None of them are eyeballing us or judging us. They aren’t disgusted by us—they’re happy.
And in turn, my bliss fills me from the inside out. It overflows and threatens to spill onto the floor in front of me. My whole world is at peace in this moment. Luke’s lips touch my temple, then he shifts his lips to my ear.
“It’s all going to be okay, baby. I fucking swear.”
When the cheering dies down, I hear one of the guys call out that we’re going to Midnight Hour. My body freezes at the thought of going back there. It’s only been a week, and the idea of walking in there after what happened makes me want to vomit.
“Maybe Erie House ,” someone suggests, and the breath I’d been holding whooshes out on an exhale.
I flick my gaze over to the man who suggested it and give him a small smile. He meets my smile with a wink, and the whole group agrees. Together, we exit the locker room, and I pause at the sight of both Sarah and Barbara standing across from me.
I’d forgotten that they were still out here. Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I give them a smile. Barabara arches a brow, but then she grins at me. “Did I hear Erie House ?” she asks.
“You did, and you’re both invited, of course,” Luke says.
Sarah beams at him, almost starry-eyed, but I think that’s more because she’s thinking about everything. Specifically, the men who are going to be at this bar with us. The hot hockey men. I don’t blame her because I’m a bit starry-eyed myself, and I'm just thinking about going out in public with Luke.
“Shall we?” Barbara asks as she turns toward the exit sign.
I start to follow her, but Luke tugs me back slightly. Turning to face him, I tilt my head back as I look up into his eyes. His gaze searches mine silently for a moment, and then he lowers his head and touches his mouth to mine. He doesn’t deepen the kiss, even though I’m inwardly begging him to do just that.
“There might be reporters and people outside. Ignore them. Stay close to me, and we’ll be just fine,” he murmurs against my mouth, then he lifts his head, his eyes wide as if something has just popped into his mind.
“The ring,” he blurts.
My lips curve up into a smile as I reach into the pocket of my oversized coat and pull out the little box he sent to the apartment earlier. I hold it out and let him slip it from my fingers. Then, right in the middle of the hallway of the hockey arena, Luke sinks down to one knee.
“I should have never kept you a secret. You were more than a hookup. You were always just mine. Maybe I wanted to keep you to myself instead of sharing you with the world. Maybe I wasn’t ready to admit how I truly felt for you. Maybe I’m just a fucking asshole. But I’m glad that everything is out. I love you, Clara, and I want you to be mine—forever. Not just for the night.”
He slides the ring onto my finger. The weight of the large oval-cut diamond is welcome and foreign all at the same time. Glancing down at the gem, I’m unable to hold back my smile. It consumes my entire being.
I’m engaged.
It’s real.
Luke stands, his fingers sliding along my jaw as he cups my cheek. Sucking in a breath, I hold it as his lips touch mine. His tongue slips inside and swirls around as he tastes me before he lifts his head, and his eyes search mine.
“Together,” he rasps.
“Together,” I confirm.
He takes a step backward, laces his fingers with mine, and together, we walk out of the arena. There are flashes of lights, shouts, and people everywhere. He wasn’t kidding when he said that there would be reporters and people outside.
They are everywhere and loud. I can’t even make out one person’s voice, let alone their questions. Dipping my chin, I drop my head and look down at my feet as I attempt to keep up with Luke’s long gait.
Only when the voices fade away do I chance looking up.
Luke stops in front of his car, his concerned gaze searching mine. “You good?” he asks.
Am I good?
No, I’m not good. That was scary, but I’m not good.
I’m fantastic.
Luke had my back, my hand, and my heart the entire scary walk from the arena to the car. I’m better than good. I’m the best I’ve ever been.
I’m happy and whole.