Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
DECLAN
“We really should have told Leon to come early,” Alice says, wiping her hands on the towel, then rearranging the food. Again.
“It’s our friends, Froggie. We don’t have to impress them.”
“But this is the first time they’re coming to your house when we’re married.”
I quirk a brow at her. “You mean our house?”
“Yes, our house.”
I grab a carrot and pop it into my mouth. “You need to get used to that. You don’t want to blow our cover.”
“Sorry, I’m nervous. I want everything to be perfect.”
“Trust me.” I pull her against me. “It’s going to be fine. The guys will be happy we’re feeding them.”
“Okay.”
“Let me make you a drink to help you settle down.”
Brushing a kiss against her forehead, I grab the vodka and lemons from the refrigerator to make her usual drink.
I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s nervous for tonight. She wants everything to be perfect. No doubt a trait drilled into her by her parents.
She pulls the glasses from the cabinet and gets ice out as I pour a shot of vodka into her glass before mixing my old-fashioned.
The two of us work in perfect sync together. It’s like we’ve always been doing this. Hell, even if we weren’t married we’d be doing this. It’s a dance we’ve been doing ever since college.
I like the fact that I get to be doing it now with my wife.
Giving both drinks a final stir, I hand Alice hers. “Cheers to the Paddacks.”
“Cheers.”
She sips on her drink, but before she gets far, I pull her in for a kiss.
“Are you trying to get me all flustered?”
“I was hoping that and the drink would calm you down.”
“It’s making me want to do other things that we definitely don’t have time for.”
“Froggie, you’re killing me.”
“It’s a good thing you love me.” She winks at me.
“Probably why I married you too.”
“That and several bottles of champagne.”
I wish her words didn’t sting as much as they did. Did I plan on waking up in Vegas married to my best friend? No, but I find that I’m liking the idea of being married to her more and more.
Expiration on this thing be damned.
The doorbell rings, echoing around the house. Whatever ease Alice was just feeling, she appears flustered again.
“I didn’t expect them to be right on time.”
“No one wants extra drills if we’re late for practice.”
“How do I look?” she asks, doing a little spin.
In a pair of wide-leg jeans and a black bodysuit, she looks as sexy as ever. I tell her just that.
“Very sexy.”
“Really?”
I shrug a shoulder. “Why would I lie?”
“Because our friends are here and you don’t want me to change.”
“I promise, you look great, Froggie.”
I swing open the front door, and it seems everyone is here. Everyone except…“Where’s Bex?”
“She got stuck on a call with the league, so she’s going to try and be here later.”
“We’ll miss her,” Alice says. “She was fun in Vegas.”
“We were a little intoxicated then.” Cash laughs.
“Hey, it’s not our fault we won the Stanley Cup.” Troy laughs, as everyone funnels in.
“It’s easy to get shit-faced when we’re celebrating,” I say.
“Hopefully we’ll be bringing more home soon,” Cash says.
“Not if Noah has anything to say about it,” Piper retorts.
I snort laugh. “Having played for the Knights? That’s wishful thinking.”
“Hey, you never know,” Piper says. “They could bring one home in a few years.”
“Okay, who are you cheering for?” Cash asks. “Your brother or boyfriend?”
“I’d like to be cheering for my fiancé, but…” She pins him with a fierce stare, wiggling her fingers at him.
“Yeah, yeah. I know.”
“Still no ring,” she replies in a singsong as she heads into the kitchen with the rest of the women.
“You haven’t done it yet?” I whisper to Cash.
“No, he’s waiting for his day with the Cup,” Nick says. “Isn’t that next week?”
He nods, shaking his head. “But Piper is dropping every kind of hint shy of dropping a jewelry store on my head.”
“Do you at least have the ring?” Troy asks as we head to the wet bar to make drinks.
He nods. “It’s in my locker at the rink.”
“Seriously?” Nick asks.
“Knowing Piper, she’d go snooping and I don’t want her to ruin the surprise.”
I smile, clapping him on the shoulder. “I love it, man. She definitely gives you a run for your money.”
“Yeah, yeah. I need a drink if we’re going to continue discussing this,” Cash says. “Why can’t we discuss Nicky’s love life?”
“Hey. I do not want to be discussing this,” he scoffs. “And technically, she’s your boss so maybe let’s not talk about her?”
I point a finger at him. “He does have a point.”
“It’s not like she’s going to use anything against you outside of the rink,” Nick says. “Unless you do something stupid.”
“Liable with this guy.” Cash smacks me in the bicep.
“Asshole. I make great decisions.”
“Like getting married when you’re drunk in Vegas?” Troy asks.
“That was a great decision,” I clarify.
The doorbell rings again, and Alice walks over to grab it.
“Leon. Jacob. I’m so glad you could make it.” She hugs both of them.
“Sorry we’re late,” Jacob bemoans. “Someone had to change his outfit a few times.”
I walk over to where they’re standing and take the flowers from Leon’s hands. “These look great.”
“And you look great,” Alice says. “And the flowers.”
“Thank you.” Leon pecks her on the cheek. “We mostly left on time, but you know traffic out here.”
“Just in time. Let’s get you a drink and then we can eat.”
They follow Alice into the kitchen as Cash calls attention to him.
“I think a toast is in order before dinner,” Cash says. Everyone holds up their drinks as he continues. “It’s been great having you on the team, Paddy, and I’m glad we can all get together before the season officially starts next week to celebrate your wedding.”
Grabbing Alice’s hand, I pull her close. “I love being a part of this team, and I appreciate you guys being so welcoming to both of us.”
“It’s been great,” Alice agrees. “It’s nice having girlfriends.”
“Excuse me,” Leon interjects. “What am I?”
“You’re still one of my closest friends here. That’s not changing,” she answers.
“Good.” He blows her a kiss.
“You’re more than welcome to hang out with all of the girls too, Leon,” Piper says.
“I like you,” Leon tells her.
Alice squeezes me close, and I know how much it means to her to have these people in her life. I know Leon and I joked about her not having much work-life balance, but she loves Enchanted Petals, and it’s hard to pull her away from it.
For them to readily accept her as part of the group? I know she loves it.
“Okay, time to eat,” I say.
“Thank God. I’m starving.” Cash goes into the kitchen and grabs a plate to help himself to barbecue.
“What he means to say is thanks.” Piper shakes her head. “I can’t take him anywhere.”
“Hey, they like me. It’s okay.”
“So you think,” Troy calls back.
Cash flips him the bird.
“If it helps, you’re definitely my husband’s favorite player,” Jacob says, following them into the kitchen.
“It’s nice to see they’re all getting along,” I whisper to Alice.
She smiles up at me. “Do you think they’re all going to gang up on us at some point?”
I look at everyone that’s gathered at our house. “Oh, absolutely.”
“Are you two going to eat or just stare at us all night?” Cash asks.
“We are pretty people.” Leon chuckles next to him.
“Damn straight.” Cash laughs.
“Yup,” Alice says. “Totally going to gang up on us at some point.”
Leaving my side, she walks over to grab her own dinner.
When I got traded to the Black Diamonds, the one thing I was most excited for was playing for a winning team. That, and being in the same city as Alice. I never thought that I’d become so close with the guys.
It’s nice having a group of people able to spend so much time together and know that we’re all having the same experience. Alice gets to have women who will support her and be there for her while I’m gone. It’s not like she doesn’t have work and Leon, but I know she’s always prioritized work.
She loves it. It’s part of the reason we’re doing what we’re doing.
“Did you guys hear what happened with Toronto’s forward?” Nick asks as I head into the kitchen.
“No. What?” I ask, scooping a pile of mac and cheese onto my plate.
“He got cut because apparently the team found out he was sleeping around while on road trips and using the hotel rooms the team paid for to throw big parties to bring women in.”
And there’s the other reason we’re doing what we’re doing. The league wants to clean up their image because of guys like him.
“He deserves it,” Piper says. “I don’t know how people like him or Duncan are still in the league.”
“Easy, Princess.” Cash kisses her head.
“Ugh. Sorry. I hate people like that who treat women like objects to be used and tossed aside.”
“It’s why the league is cracking down,” Troy says.
Don’t I know it. Stupid, drunken behavior in Vegas? Not the best optics for the league.
Alice isn’t looking at me as she walks over to the table and takes a seat next to Leon. Knowing her, her face would give her away.
Things quiet down as everyone piles into chairs around the dining room table and digs into their food.
“I’m not the biggest hockey fan,” Jacob says, breaking the silence.
Cash’s fork clatters to his plate. “Seriously?”
Leon shakes his head. “Don’t look at me. I’ve tried.”
“Since we’re with half the Black Diamonds team—”
“More like a quarter,” Nick interjects.
“Maybe one of you could convince me to watch it. You know, get your jersey and all that.”
“Wow.” Leon looks at him, incredulously. “I’ve tried getting you to watch the game with me for years, and all it takes is bringing a few players around?”
“Sorry.” He shrugs.
“Way to go, Alice. You’ve been holding out on me,” Leon says.
“Hey!” she exclaims. “I’ve brought Declan around plenty.”
“How is this my fault?” I ask, wiping my mouth and setting it down on my empty plate.
“You were supposed to convince my husband to like hockey.” Leon says this like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“Declan shouldn’t be the favorite then,” Cash says. “I should be the favorite because I’m the best player.”
“Hey!”
Troy and Nick scoff at the same time.
“I like the confidence,” Jacob says. “Maybe if you play well in the first game, I’ll buy your jersey.”
“Seriously, I feel like chopped liver over here,” I whine.
“Aww.” Alice kisses my cheek. “You’re still my favorite player.”
“See? You’re covered,” Leon states. “I always go for goalies.”
A furious blush creeps up over Nick’s cheeks. He hates being the center of attention.
“He’s my favorite on the days my husband is annoying me.” Angie laughs.
“Ouch. Way to make a guy feel unloved,” Troy fires back.
“And on the days you’re really annoying me, you’re number three.”
“Number three? Who’s two?” Alice asks.
“Lydia, his sister. She plays for Boston,” Angie explains.
Alice smiles back. “I guess I’ll have to start watching her play.”
“You should. The PWHL is great. They’re supposed to be expanding next season, which I think is exciting,” Angie says.
“Who knows, maybe Denver will end up with a team and she’ll come out here,” Troy says.
“Okay, let’s start with one team.” Jacob laughs. “I need to get started with the men’s team before I start women’s.”
“Fair,” Alice says. “Maybe you can come to a game with me sometime.”
“Do I get an invite?” Leon says. “I actually like the team.”
“Sure—”
“Only if you stop bugging me about my work-life balance,” Alice interrupts.
He rolls his eyes before blowing her a kiss. “Fine. Only because I love you and I’m glad you found a husband.”
“That makes two of us,” I agree, tipping my glass in his direction.
I don’t care if it was a drunken decision in Vegas. Getting to call Alice my wife?
I’ll soak up every minute of that I can.