Epilogue
Cole
One year later
Spoiler alert. The Panthers didn’t win the Stanley Cup last year.
We tried, though. Pushed ourselves as far as our bodies would go until it felt like we might break.
We lost in the seventh game. That’s right, the seventh game.
My teammates and I put all our blood, sweat, and tears into that game.
Neither team scored for the three periods, only for us to lose in overtime.
It hurt. It hurt like hell, and I might have cried in Reed’s arms that night while I was wrapped around him.
But the next morning, I got up and decided that no one would remember that.
They would remember that Seattle won. And I would do whatever I could to make sure the Panthers won the following year.
I worked out harder, took better care of myself, and made sure I was in the best shape of my life.
The following year, the Panthers won the Stanley Cup in four games, beating Seattle.
It felt like justice for what should have been.
That same year, Wyatt announced his retirement, and I was named the new captain.
When I asked about Jordan, Jackson told me that he didn’t want it.
That Jordan had actually recommended that I be made captain along with the rest of the team.
After we crushed Seattle, hoisted the cup, and did tons of press, I found my boyfriend waiting for me in the arena.
He was wearing my jersey, the one Ezra had added sequins and sparkly things to.
He had made one for all the WAGs who were married to or dating a player and had become a huge deal on social media.
Suddenly everyone wanted a special Bardot jersey.
Ezra had even put Reed on his website modeling the one he’d made for him.
Reed shot to his feet once I stepped up the stairs and hurried over to me. His lips found mine as I held him against me, ignoring the sounds of his friends hollering and cheering us on. They had seen much worse.
“Congratulations, Casanova. I’m so fucking proud of you,” Reed whispered. He cupped my head between his hands. “My Stanley Cup champion.”
My vision blurred. “I’m still in shock.” My eyes darted behind us where Oscar was climbing over several rows of seats to get to Zach and Tate. They had made things work despite setbacks. It was nice to see my best friend so happy.
“Are we going to the afterparty?” Reed asked.
Maverick and Jackson had rented out a restaurant just in case we needed a reason to celebrate.
A place where the entire team, their partners, and selected guests could enjoy themselves together.
I knew that Maverick and Ezra had worked really hard on the preparations, along with most of the WAGs.
I also knew it would be an event that went down in history.
I nodded before I kissed him again. “Yeah, baby, we are.”
The ring in my pocket felt like it was burning a hole in my pants.
I had bought it months ago, planned on proposing on Valentine’s Day, but I’d chickened out.
It wasn’t that I wasn’t ready or scared Reed would say no; I was just waiting for the right time.
I had even asked Hutch if I could marry his son just to make sure he was okay with it.
He had wrapped me in his arms and told me he couldn’t wait for me to become part of their family.
Reed held my hand on the drive to the restaurant, chatting about the game, the goals I scored, and how well Oscar had made all those saves.
I smiled as I listened to him talk. I loved his happy giggles and how he seemed so content.
I loved him more than ever. He was still going to therapy, which had helped him.
He struggled from time to time, but I was proud of how far he had come.
“You’re awfully quiet.” I could feel his gaze digging into the side of my head. “I figured you would be more excited about this. Screaming from the rooftops, even.”
I chuckled. “I might be in a little bit of shock.”
This was something I had worked toward my entire career. What I dreamed of since I was a little kid making his first goal. My dream had finally come true, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Sure, I was happy, but now what?
“You have plenty of time to figure that out. And I’ll be there to support you, no matter what.” Reed squeezed my hand. “But when we get there, I need my boyfriend to smile a little bit. Show everyone how happy he is. He just won the fucking Stanley Cup.”
I brought his hand up my lips. “Trust me, baby, I’m happy.”
The place was already packed when we stepped inside, and the sound of everyone cheering had a smile spreading across my face. Pretty much everyone knew what I had planned for Reed.
“Everyone loves you,” Reed murmured as we headed over to where our parents sat together.
He hugged Hutch and Jillian, then Dean moved in to wrap his arms around him. Dean and Reed had grown close over the past twelve months. Maybe it was the WAGs thing, it warmed my heart.
Dad threw his arm over my shoulder. “I’m so proud of you.” His eyes glittered with tears. “Even more than I ever have been. You were great out there tonight, kid.”
“Thanks, Dad.” My throat tightened at his words. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Dad rolled his eyes. “Lies. You’re a better player than I ever was.”
“Now that’s a lie.” I grinned as he hugged me again.
He laughed softly. “Tonight, right?” He spoke softly so only I could hear him.
“Yes.” I nodded as I looked over at Reed, who was talking with Zach. When he saw me, he winked and gave me a little wave. My stomach swooped. I was so gone for this man.
Dad patted my back as he stepped away. Would now be a good time?
Now, right? I could just do it now with everyone watching and.
..What if Reed said no? What if he didn’t want to get married?
Suddenly, this seemed like a terrible idea.
I had the ring, the most beautiful one in the world.
The one my father had given my mother. All soft diamonds and red rubies.
It was going to look amazing on Reed’s finger.
But what if he hated it? Maybe he wanted something else? Maybe I should wait.
“You good, Casanova?” Reed touched my face with the pads of his fingers. “You still in shock?”
I chewed on my bottom lip. It was now or never. I dropped to my knee, and his eyes went wide. I slipped the box from my pocket and flipped it open.
“I love you so much, and all I want to do is keep loving you. I want to see you smile; hear you laugh, and grow old with you. I want to have babies with you. Build a house together with all our children and live happily ever after. I want to win more games, more championships, with you by my side. I want your kisses, your hands; I want you. Reed, will you marry me?”
This was going to be incredibly embarrassing if he said no.
“Oh my God.” Reed’s hand flew up to his mouth. He glanced around as everyone watched, and then he reached out to touch the ring. “It’s beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more gorgeous ring. It’s so perfect.”
“Baby, don’t leave me hanging,” I whispered. The longer I waited, the more nervous I got. What if he didn’t want this?
He launched himself at me, and I nearly fell over. Reed peppered wet kisses against my face before he found my mouth. “Yes, Casanova. I’ll marry you. The answer will always be yes.”
I kissed him back, then I remembered I had to put the ring on his finger. It glittered under the lights and looked like it was made for Reed.
“It was my mother’s,” I told him.
“Are you kidding?” Reed yanked his hand back to stare at it. “Are you sure you want me to have this? Don’t you want to keep it safe where it won’t get ruined or lost. I might—”
I kissed him again to stop him from spiraling. “It belongs to you now, baby. It was actually my dad’s idea. I told him I wanted to propose, and he asked if I wanted to give you my mother’s ring.”
“Oh.” Tears swam in Reed’s eyes, then slipped down his cheeks. He smiled up at my father before he looked at me again. “I’m honored. I promise to take the best care of it.” He grinned before he kissed me again. “I love you.”
I grinned and helped him to his feet. “I love you, too, baby. Forever.”