Epilogue
BASS
One Year Later
“You’ve never been good at secrets, Bass, ever since you were a little boy. I always knew when you’d licked the icing off the side of one of my cakes. The effort it takes you to conceal your…cleverness is obvious.”
“Ma, don’t try to talk me out of this.”
“I’m not trying to talk you out of anything, sweetie. It’s just been my experience as a woman all of these fifty-seven years of life that your girlfriend may want to have a say in what you’re considering.”
I try to respect my mother’s age and experience when she gives unsolicited life advice, but I always have to take it with a grain of salt.
She’s been through a lot, including two bad relationships, which have tainted her.
I’ve only been in one, which has been amazing from the beginning (well, mostly).
What my Ma doesn’t quite understand is that when it comes to Kai and me, I’m a guy whose glass is half full, not half empty.
She’s going to love my news.
“I’ll take your viewpoint under advisement, Ma.”
“No, you won’t,” she sighs with a chuckle on the other end of the phone call. “But listen, I meant to tell you earlier, that I’m so thankful for the loan. I’m not sure how, but the real estate tax bill crept up on me.”
“It’s nothing, Ma, and for God’s sake, it’s not a loan. You don’t have to pay it back. Ever.”
“You already did so much by paying off the mortgage, Bass. I can’t take any more from you. It wouldn’t be right.”
“You worked extra jobs to pay for hockey my whole childhood. You went without a lot. This is just me honoring that sacrifice.”
“Oh, sweetie, that’s just what moms do.”
“No, that’s what parents are supposed to do. You did the job of two people.”
She’s quiet for a moment.
I probably shouldn’t have said that.
“Ma, the team won the Stanley Cup. I got a bonus on top of my salary. I can afford to help you.”
“It’s only right that they should reward you with a bonus. You’re the number one reason they won.”
“I think you’re a little biased, Ma.” I smile. “It was definitely a team effort.”
“Humph, if you say so. So when will you see, Kai?”
“I’m taking a red eye tonight, and I’ll see her later tomorrow. I have a few things to do before I catch up with her.”
“So, this is a surprise?”
“She knows I’m coming to New York; she just doesn’t know when.”
“Okay, then, sweetie. Good luck.”
It’s been a whirlwind of a year. I never thought playing in the NHL would be both so demanding and rewarding at the same time. I also underestimated just how much work it would take to play the game I love and be in a relationship with the woman I love.
I’ll never ever admit it to her, but this year has been hard as fuck.
What I’ve learned over the past twelve months is that I want Kai with me…
always. I’m sick of this long-distance bullshit.
I just needed some time to figure out a way to have what I want while also making sure she gets what she needs.
I’ve been on a mission in New York for most of the day, and now it’s time to see my girl. The Uber drops me in front of the rooftop restaurant I asked her to meet me at. The location is close to her office and has a great reputation for its lobster macaroni and cheese, one of Kai’s favorites.
Without the risk of being corny as fuck, the moment I spot her at the table, adjusting the strap of her heel, my heart becomes full.
Every time I see her, I can’t believe how lucky I am that I’m her man.
She could have anyone, but she picked me.
It takes some men a lifetime to realize what they’ve got in a woman, but I’m smarter than most, and I already know that I’m a fortunate motherfucker.
“Hey, sexy,” she says with a wide grin when I approach the table.
“Hey, beautiful. I missed you.”
We kiss for longer than anyone should in public, and then I take a seat next to her.
“You smell good,” I tell her, nuzzling my face into the side of her neck.
“Thanks, it’s the French stuff you gave me for Christmas. How was your flight?”
“Good.”
She narrows her eyes. “When did you land?”
“A few hours ago.”
“What’s up with you, Morelli? You’ve been acting weird all week. Why wouldn’t you just tell me when you were arriving? I would have met you at the airport like I normally do.”
“I had to take care of some things first.”
“Take care of some things? What the hell does that mean? I don’t do well with ambiguity, Bass, you know that.”
“You look so fucking hot when you’re pissed,” I say when she stands. “Where are you going?”
“I don’t know…to the bathroom,” she says, all huffy.
I grasp her wrist. “You know I don’t like it when you walk away from me.”
“Then I guess we both are dealing with things we don’t like tonight.”
This whole night is quickly getting away from me.
“It’s been a year,” I blurt out.
She stops all forward momentum.
“What about it?” she asks carefully.
“We need to discuss it,” I reply, and that earns me a long look.
Inside, the restaurant is slate and glass and New York sleek, and the city light view stretches wide beneath us.
She takes her seat again. “What do you want to talk about?”
“You look worried, and that’s my fault. I’ve been sneaking around behind your back.”
“What?” Her voice sounds as if it’s about to break.
“Wait, I’m fucking this up.” I cover her hand with my own.” I’m not sneaking around like that. I would never. What I mean is that I had a meeting today, in New York, without telling you.”
“What kind of a meeting did you have that you feel bad about that you didn’t share with me?”
She still looks unsure of my intentions.
I deserve that.
“With Sabrina Stevenson.”
Her eyes widen. “My boss?” She crosses her arms lightly. “Why the fuck would you be meeting with Sabrina Stevension?”
I pull the envelope that’s been burning a hole in my jacket pocket since I arrived and hand it to her.
“What is this, Bass?”
“Read it.”
She opens it carefully, scanning with professional instinct first.
Her eyes move across the header.
Stevenson Management Group.
She looks up at me sharply. “What does this say?”
“Look, I understand that I’m acting strange, but please keep reading.”
Her gaze drops again, and I watch the moment she sees it.
Primary client agreement. Long-term brand development. Nevada-based player.
Then she finds the clause.
Executive account lead: Kai Vega.
Remote authority designation.
Hybrid travel model approved.
She looks up slowly.
“You became a client?”
“Today.”
“And you required that I lead your account?”
“Yes.”
“You leveraged your contract to secure operational flexibility for me?”
“Non-negotiable.”
“Bass.” She inhales slowly. “I’m not even a full-time employee yet.”
“You are now.”
“I don’t know. This doesn’t feel earned.”
This is the part my mother was worried about. Me making plans that affect Kai’s career without her consent.
“When I met with Sabrina and her team,” I say calmly, “They’d already decided to extend a full-time offer to you. I made sure of that before I discussed anything else. Once Sabrina confirmed that it was the case–”
“You mean Mrs. Stevenson,” she corrects me.
“Uh, yeah, after Mrs. Stevenson confirmed that it was the plan to hire you, I laid out three conditions. First, I wanted a firm that understood long-term brand growth instead of short-term hype. Second, I wanted someone who would hold me accountable when I drift. Third, I wanted structural flexibility for my partner, who happens to be one of the best strategists in the industry.”
Her eyes fill, but she doesn’t look away.
“Suddenly, you sound a lot like a professional hockey player who knows his shit.”
“Suddenly?” I smirk. “I think it’s more like I’ve grown into the consummate pro, thanks to your guidance, of course.”
“Whatever,” she blushes. “Just continue explaining your villainous masterplan.”
“I made it clear that if they wanted me as a client, then my representation model had to reflect my values,” I continue.
“Mrs. Stevenson and her team agreed because I bring youth, visibility, and long-term stability to their portfolio. Of course, I’m sure the fact that I’m a champion was a huge bargaining chip too. ”
“I’m sure.” She laughs softly, and the tightness in my chest eases.
She’s not mad anymore.
She’s listening to me.
“So…you snuck into New York, met with my boss, and negotiated me into your contract?”
“I negotiated a contract for us,” I correct her. “And yes, I should have been a spy if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I wasn’t thinking that,” she snorts, moving closer to me. “Tethering a contract for you to me was reckless, Bass. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I did,” I say simply. “Because our year is up and I’m crystal clear on this one thing, I do not want a future where we’re apart any longer.”
Silence settles between us, but it’s not uncomfortable.
It’s heavy and full.
Her beautiful eyes study me for a long moment, then she says quietly, “You’ve changed so much right in front of me, and I didn’t even realize it.”
“I grew,” I reply. “Because you required it. As improbable as it sounds, Kai, you’ve made me a better man.”
Then I drop to one knee.
Her breath leaves her sharply.
“Bass, what are you doing?” she whispers, glancing around the room with a side eye.
“Kai Vega,” I say steadily, because I’m not nervous and I’m not unsure, “you forced me to become the man I never truly believed I could be. You required structure, honesty, and growth. You trusted that we could get through this year together, and we have, but I want more. I want all of you. Everyday. All the time.”
She covers her mouth with one hand, possibly shocked by all of the truth bombs I’m laying on her.
“I don’t want another one-year contingency plan,” I continue.
“I want permanence. I want to argue about furniture or getting a dog. I want to plan travel schedules that overlap instead of collide. I want to play hockey and come home to you knowing you’re going to fuck me senseless whether I win or lose. ”
I open the ring box.
“I want it all, Kai. Marry me.”
She laughs through tears and holds my face in her hands.
“Yes,” she says without hesitation. “Hell, yes!”
I slide an impressive princess cut diamond ring I had designed with a jeweler in Midtown, onto her finger, and stand, pulling her into me as she wraps her arms around my neck.
She takes another peek at her ring and squeals as the restaurant goers clap their congratulations for us.
One couple even sends over a bottle of champagne to congratulate us.
“This diamond is entirely too big,” she says against my mouth. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Big boys give big rings.”
“You’re impossible.”
“Do you like it though?” I worry for a moment that I got it wrong.
“Obviously.” She hugs me tighter. “I just think you should spend your money on investments or something, not a big ole’ diamond.”
“A diamond that you’ll have for the rest of your life, Vega. Don’t you get it? You’re the best investment I could ever or will ever make in myself.”
She pulls back slightly and looks at me with that steady, brilliant gaze that dismantled my ego a year ago.
“I get it, and I love you, Bass,” she says quietly. “You’re right. We made it a year loving each other while living across the country from each other, but I much prefer loving you close up and in person.”
“Agreed, baby.”
I kiss her again, slow and certain, and the city keeps shining below us like it knows something magical and permanent just happened. When we finally break apart, she rests her forehead against mine.
“You understand this means I’m going to manage your brand without mercy.”
“I expect nothing less. Make me a superstar, baby.”
“And if you get out of pocket?”
“Won’t happen,” I say firmly. “I have to come home to you.”
“I think I’m going to like this marriage.” She laughs softly and squeezes my hand, the ring catching the light.
“I’m going to make sure of it,” I promise her. “Every. Single. Night.”
THE END