Chapter 26
Caden
I flick open the button at the centre of my navy suit jacket and toss my keys onto the kitchen counter, shaking the snow from my hair.
Tonight isn’t how I imagined spending the most romantic day of the year but, all things considered, the guys and I had a decent time.
After winning both of our back-to-back away games, the handover dinner was a good move – a way for Coach to get us bonding before we play the semi-final in just under a week.
But when it comes to Valentine’s Day, there’s only one reason why I want to wear a suit.
And that isn’t at a dinner with a hundred of Carter U’s D1 men.
I tug at the lapels on my jacket, the snow seeping through to my pecs as I wash my hands, and then I make my way toward the living area, heaving myself slowly onto the sofa.
I lean my head against the back of the couch and close my eyes as I savor the silence, tucking my hands behind my nape and feeling my shirt constrict over my chest.
The cotton feels tight around my deltoids, the flex of my muscles making the material strain, but I’m too relaxed right now to give a shit, enjoying the quiet after a long evening.
Tonight’s ceremony was hosted for all of the D1 men’s teams at Carter U, including all of the current players, the roster of coaching staff, and the former athletes who’ve already graduated.
Given the brutal snowfall over the past few days, I didn’t expect our former teammates to make the drive, but every single one of the guys who we played with managed to get to the ridge without a hitch.
Which means that Hunter and Tanner – the guys who I previously shared the top floor with – were both by my side when Benson announced who he’s making next year’s team captain.
My chest rises at the memory.
When Benson made me next year’s team captain.
Meaning that all three of us at some point will have captained the Carter Ridge Rangers.
I push my fingers back through my hair, feeling a little emotional at that realisation.
Because it’s a full-circle moment, and one that I never would have predicted.
Who would have thought when we started that the quietest guy on the ice would be captaining one of the greatest D1 hockey teams during his senior year?
I shake my head and stare at the ceiling, overwhelmed with gratitude as I think about this season. The amount of faith that the guys have had in me, and the fact that they’re all stoked about me leading them next year.
I rub my jaw and exhale roughly.
Senior year captain. I can’t believe it.
My phone vibrates in my pocket – the guys texting from Rodeo Bar – and amusement tugs at my mouth as I scroll through the team chat.
HUNTER: I can’t remember what y’all ordered. I’m at the bar. Tell me your drinks.
TANNER: Fuck the drinks, man. Help me tackle Shaw off this chick.
HUNTER: ?? What chick?
TANNER: He’s making out with the fucking waitress.
brETT: Wait, is that allowed?
HUNTER: You’ve got to be shitting me right now.
TANNER: She is so getting fired.
HUNTER: Why do we always get these chicks fired???
SHAW: It’s all good. I got her number ;)
HUNTER: Anyone seen Hughes?
AUSTIN: Post-handover party at Connell O’Malley’s condo.
brETT: Who tf is Connell O’Malley?
CADEN: Last year’s quarterback.
AUSTIN: They’re always reporting about him on the sports channel.
AUSTIN: How have you not seen him on ESPN?
AUSTIN: And you literally met him this evening???
TRISTAN: Lmao
SHAW: Hughes, seriously where are you?
Hughes texts something in French.
AUSTIN: Wtf???
HUNTER: Dude, none of us speak French.
SHAW: Isn’t Tanner’s mom French?
TANNER: ??? My mom is Scandinavian??
SHAW: That’s Europe though, right? Can you get her to translate?
TANNER: Oh yeah, for sure. I’ll just add my mom to the group chat.
SHAW: Hell yeah! Can’t wait ;)
Tanner has removed Shaw from the group chat.
My chest rumbles as I laugh, glad that the guys are having a good night, and feeling more relaxed than ever now that I have the house to myself.
The guys will head over to Connell O’Malley’s with the players from the football team, and they’ll probably stay there all night, waiting out the snowfall until the morning.
The hockey house is going to be totally private tonight.
So hopefully Winter will be awake for a long-distance date.
I messaged her a couple of times during the dinner, but I want to hear her voice again before I hit the sheets.
I want to see her beautiful smile and be able to promise her that I’ll be home soon.
I kick my legs out for another minute, loving the solitude of having this place to myself, and then I groan quietly as I get to my feet, tugging at my cuffs as I head to the bathroom.
I flip the switch to the warm-tone bulb and glance in the mirror, giving myself a once-over.
I’m wearing a navy-blue suit, with a matching tie and crisp white shirt. It’s the only suit that I own and, given the way that the buttons are straining, I need to size up.
I’ve gained fifteen pounds of muscle this season and, according to this shirt, it went straight to my chest.
My cheek tics with amusement before I shake my head and glance away from my pecs.
I smooth my palms back over my hair, pushing my fringe away from my forehead so that it’s slicked back, and I take a couple of deep breaths, my muscles flexing at the thought of this call.
I’ve been waiting for this all day, and I can’t fucking wait to see her.
“You’ve got this,” I murmur, my voice rough in the silence of the bathroom, and then I’m flicking off the light switch and heading down the hallway to my bedroom.
We’ve never done Valentine’s over a phone call before and I’m nervous as hell to make tonight good for her.
I slip my cell from my pants at the same moment that I push open my bedroom door, and it takes all of three seconds before I drop my phone to the floor.
I stop dead in the doorway, my heart thundering in my chest.
And then Winter gives me her dimpled smile, and my heart fucking explodes.
“Winter?” I rasp, emotion clogging my throat.
“Hey, Caden,” she whispers back to me, her dimples deepening as I fumble to close the door.
Then I shove my hair back as I look her over, thinking, how did I get so fucking lucky?
I look down into her beautiful eyes and whisper, “Happy Valentine’s Day, baby.”
She smiles up at me from under her lashes. “Happy birthday, Caden.”