Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
DECLAN
“Would you stop pacing? You’re going to put a dent in the carpet.”
“I can’t help it. I want it to be here.”
Alice laughs at me, walking from the kitchen to give me a cup of coffee. “You still have ten minutes before they’re supposed to come.”
“You know…”
“Don’t get any ideas,” Alice says, dropping down onto the couch and kicking her feet up.
Lifting them, I sit next to her and pull them into my lap. “Damn. It definitely would have taken my mind off things.”
Alice sips her coffee, already looking as beautiful as ever. Given that today is my day with the Cup, we were both up before the sun rose. With the season starting in just a few weeks, I’ve had this day in my mind for weeks.
Hell, I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid. What kid doesn’t grown up imagining winning the Stanley Cup and getting to have their day with it?
A knock sounds from the front door.
“Thank God.” Leaping over the back of the couch, I swing open the front door.
There it is. In all its glory.
“Mr. Paddack. Hi, I’m John Bellville.”
I shake the man’s hand. He’s dressed in a pressed black suit with a black tie and white gloves.
“Hi.”
Opening the door wider, I beckon him inside. Alice’s eyes track the trophy as it’s brought into the living room and set on the coffee table.
“You’re aware of the rules?” he asks.
“Yes.”
We were all given a lecture from Coach Barney not to do anything to embarrass ourselves—or the team—on our day. Notices also landed in our lockers on clean-out day on how our behavior directly reflects on the team.
It’s why I have an easy day planned.
“Good. Then we’ll have a good day together.”
“You’re here all day?” Alice asks.
“Sorry. Alice, John. John, Alice.” I introduce them, but I don’t take my eyes off the gleaming silver trophy that fills the living room.
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too, ma’am. I’ll be around, but as long as you don’t do anything to damage the Cup, you won’t notice me.”
“I’ll try and keep him in line.”
“Hey.” I glance at her, before looking back at the Cup. “Holy shit.”
“What?” Alice asks, coming to stand next to me.
“There’s my name.”
I run my finger over it, tracing the etchings.
Declan Paddack.
“Wow.”
Alice leans down next to me, both of us staring at my name. Right there. Forever in the history of the game.
She presses a kiss to my cheek. “I’m so proud of you.”
“I never thought this would happen.”
Going from the worst team in the league to the best was something I only dreamed of happening. Getting to spend the day with the Stanley Cup? It was a far-off fantasy.
Now? Now it’s sitting in my living room.
“Ready to spend your day with the Cup?”
Getting into the suite at the Denver Miners game, our professional baseball team, took a lot longer than I thought. Carrying the Cup through the ballpark was like a giant beacon to have everyone stop and take a picture with it.
After drinking a mostly Champagne breakfast out of the Cup, Alice and I took it to the shop so she could show Leon and Jacob. They loved it. From there, we decided to come to a baseball game.
I mean, what fans don’t want to see the Stanley Cup?
“Mr. Paddack. Congratulations on winning.” The suite attendant bustles up to us as we come inside.
“Thank you.” I set the Cup at my feet and shake his hand.
“We have seats saved up front for you. Help yourself to whatever you’d like, and if you need anything, let us know.”
“We appreciate it,” Alice tells him. “Thank you.”
Eyes follow us as we take the first row. Fans below us, ready for the game, turn and eye the Cup as we drop down into the leather seats.
“They are really rolling out the red carpet for you,” Alice says.
“I think it’s for the Cup,” I say.
“Either way, I’m glad you get to celebrate today. You deserve it.”
I beam at her. The best part of today is that she’s by my side. I wouldn’t want anyone else with me. Even though we’ve been posting pictures of our day on social media to keep up appearances, it’s not a chore.
Getting to spend the day with my wife and my best friend?
What else could I want?
“You know,” Alice starts, “I really don’t know much about baseball.”
“It’s okay. We’re here to have fun.”
“I mean, hockey is about all I can stand.”
“All you can stand?” I quirk a brow at her.
“It’s stressful watching you play. I can’t add in any more sports.”
Laughter bubbles out of me. “Good to know. You want anything to drink?”
“I’ll take a beer.”
“You got it.”
People clap me on the back and offer their congratulations as I grab us drinks and plates of snacks. The national anthem rings out, signaling the start of the game is close.
By the time I get back to our seats, Alice is standing and cheering as the game starts. In a Black Diamonds hat, her long blonde hair flows down her back, while she wears a white T-shirt with dark jean shorts. She is the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen in my life.
I’ve always known Alice is beautiful. Before anything could happen, we became best friends. I never wanted to jeopardize that.
Even the thought now of this thing ending makes my heart crack in my chest. I want Alice. Only Alice. But that’s something I’m going to have to broach later. She only just took this thing to the next level. I don’t want to make her overthink things.
“Took you long enough,” she says, as I hand her one of the beers.
“Sorry.”
“You’re okay. We’re up.”
As if on cue, the crack of a bat rings out as one of the Miners’ players takes off to first base. He makes it before the ball hits the glove of the baseman. I guess it was a fast three up and down for the other team.
I clap along with everyone else as the next hitter lines up.
“Did you ever think about playing another sport?” Alice asks.
I shake my head. “Nope. You know I was in skates practically as soon as I could walk.”
“But it never crossed your mind?”
“All I ever wanted to play was hockey.”
“It’s a good thing you’re good at it.”
“Would you come to my baseball games if I played for the Miners?”
“Hell, yeah. You know I would. It’s a good thing you can’t come watch me work.”
“Is that supposed to be a challenge?” I ask. “Because if I could, I’d come watch you make bouquets every day.”
“Stop it.” She pushes me away. “You’d be so bored.”
“Getting to be with you, Froggie? It’s never boring.”
She sips on her drink, that all too familiar blush creeping up her cheeks. I love how easily she shows what she’s feeling.
It’s something she’s always done.
The game goes on, the Miners scoring two runs in their half of the inning before Seattle is back up to bat. Before I know it, the kiss cam starts up. It flashes across couples around the field before it locks on to me and Alice.
“Oh my God!” Alice cries out, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment.
“You want me to kiss you?” I drop an arm around her shoulders.
“You have to. Otherwise, everyone is going to boo at us.”
An idea comes to me. I lean in, Alice with her hands shielding our faces from the camera. At the very last minute, I dodge to the other side and kiss the trophy.
“Are you serious?” Alice shrieks next to me. “You kissed the Cup and not me?”
Cheers ring out around the ballpark, mixed with boos.
Laughter bursts out of me. “Hey, I only get to have the Cup for one day. One, Froggie. You can’t blame a guy.”
The camera pans back to us and this time, when I go to kiss Alice, she throws a hand up. My lips meet her palm as she sips from her beer.
“Ouch.”
If possible, the cheers get even louder, the crowd enjoying my embarrassment.
“You deserve it.”
“You know all of my real kisses are for you, Froggie.”
Pulling her close, I seal my lips over hers. This one is for no one but us.
When I pull away, she follows, wanting more.
“Mmm,” she whispers.
Her eyes are closed, face pink from the sun beating down on us.
“Does that make up for it?” I ask, pecking her once again before turning my attention to the game that’s resumed play.
“No.”
“Really?” I grab her drink and sip from it. “Why not?”
“Because now I want more and that definitely won’t be happening.”
“You mean you don’t want a quickie in the bathroom?” I waggle my brows at her.
“Stop it. That won’t be happening. Ever.”
“Never say never, Froggie.”
The rest of the afternoon goes by in haze of drinks, kissing Alice whenever I can, and people wanting to take pictures with the Cup as we make our way out of the ballpark.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more peopled out in my life,” I say, collapsing on the couch.
“Really? You?”
Alice leans over the couch, hair curtaining around us.
“Everyone has their limits.”
“Well, since we still have a few hours with the Cup, can we do one more thing?”
“Whatever you want, Froggie.”
“Close your eyes.”
The sounds of cabinets opening and closing bang around in my head. A happy buzz floats through my veins.
Today was the perfect day. Could I have done something bigger and better? Maybe. But I don’t care. Getting to spend it with my favorite person was all I needed.
“Okay. Open your eyes.”
Alice is holding the Cup, albeit awkwardly since it’s so big. Fresh blooms sit in the bowl of it. Flowers I recognize well.
“It’s my flower.”
“I know it’s cheesy—”
“It’s not.” I stop her, grabbing the Cup from her and resting it between us before standing.
Her blue eyes are soft, full of happiness. “Everyone has been celebrating you today everywhere we go, and I don’t really know what I can do to show you how proud of you I am, so I figured this would be something.”
“You already gave me my jersey.” The very one that’s hanging in the basement. “You don’t have to give me anything, Froggie. Getting to spend the day with you was better than anything I ever could have imagined.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t the Cup?” She smiles.
Pushing my fingers through her hair, I drop my forehead to hers. “Maybe a little. But you made it better.”
“Good.”
I pull out my phone. “Now let’s commemorate this moment.”
“Are you going to post this?” she whispers against my lips.
I shake my head. “No. This one is just for us.”
Her hands link behind my neck, the Cup between us. “Care to do something else just for us?”
“That’s the best idea you’ve had all day.” I smile. “I want to do whatever my wife wants to do.”