Chapter 51
FIFTY-ONE
JJ
For most of my life, I believed there was no greater feeling than the one that took over when I was on the ice. In the crease. Crouched down, blocking, in the zone.
I was wrong. Turns out nothing compares to watching Adeline do that.
As the clock runs down and she’s thirty seconds from a shutout, my body buzzes with an electric energy that only hits me when she’s the one in the net.
That feeling only solidifies my decision. Retiring at the end of the season is the right thing to do. The thrill of watching her is more than enough for me. Especially when I turn around and catch Avery’s smiling face as she screams Adeline’s name from her spot on Vivi’s lap.
Adeline’s aunts and my mother are at tonight’s game. Even Chloe, who’s in Boston for the holiday, showed up.
Bray nudges me. “I still can’t believe you’re giving this all up, but fuck are you leaving us in good hands.
” He just came off the line, and with a score of 3-0, it’s probably safe for him to relax.
He scored two of the goals and assisted Bobby with the third.
Not quite a hat trick, but the light in his eyes tells me he’s feeling good.
He’s been on fire lately. We all have been.
And I’m enjoying the hell out of my last season.
“The best hands,” I say as Addie blocks one more shot and the buzzer sounds, announcing the end of the game. “A fucking shutout.” I hop the boards and skate across the ice to celebrate. I pull my helmet off and toss it to Bobby, who’s already had his chance to hug Adeline and congratulate her.
“Stupid boys. You should know now to protect your helmets,” she mutters. With a smirk, she takes her own mask off and hands it to Bray. “Can you hold this for me?” Then she skates closer to me, mischief in her eyes.
“What are you doing?” I ask as she gets close.
She bites her lip, but there’s no stopping the smile that blooms on her lips. “Didn’t you hear? I just played another shutout. I think I deserve a kiss from my fiancé.”
My heart flips, but I try not to get ahead of myself. Did she really just say what I think she did? “Your fiancé?”
She nods, her eyes bright under the stadium lights. “Yeah.”
“You know I’m broke, right? Lost all my money in my divorce settlement.”
She grins. “Yup.”
“I don’t even own a house. I live with a bunch of wild family members. It’s a bit chaotic.”
Her smile grows wider. “That’s okay, I kind of love that chaotic family.”
“Me too,” I rasp, heart hammering in my chest. “After the season ends, I won’t even have a job, though.”
She cups my cheeks. “It’s a good thing I’ll be working, then. I’m happy to float you.”
I shake my head, a wave of embarrassment washing over me. “I’ll figure something out, I swear. But I have to do this. Avery needs me.”
Adeline’s expression softens. “JJ, the last thing I want you for is your money. But I do want you. Hell, I’d marry you with paper rings. You’re all I need.”
I frown. “Did you just….” I search her eyes, looking for any hint of apprehension but finding none. “Adeline, are you serious? Did you just ask me to marry you?”
She bites her lip, the color of her already flushed face deepening, her nerves finally coming through.
“Adeline Langfield.” I adopt that chiding tone she likes to use on me.
She shakes her head.
“Adeline Langfield, did you just propose to me? Are we going to have to change the name on your jersey to Hanson?”
She scoffs. “Oh my god, I’m not taking your last name.”
Amusement courses through me. “That’s fine, I’ll take yours.”
“JJ,” she says. There’s that chiding tone I love so much.
“Were you serious?” I ask, my heart in my throat. “Would you really marry me, rich or poor? Job or jobless?”
“JJ, I’d give away the last pennies I have to marry you.
I’d give all this up for you and Avery. So yeah.
” Her eyes widen like it’s just hit her.
Nodding along in shock, with a big smile on her face, she drops to the ice.
Still in full gear, face flushed and hair a mess, she looks up at me.
“Jonathan Francis Bouvier Hanson, will you marry me?”
“Oh no. You aren’t beating me to this,” I say, dropping down in front of her.
The crowd around us goes wild.
“Two truths and a lie,” I say.
She smiles. “Today is the best day of my life. You are the best thing to ever happen to me. I won’t miss you at all when you retire.”
I laugh. “We both know you’ll miss me like crazy.”
Her eyes dance. “Your turn.”
“I was put on this earth to be your husband and Avery’s father. You’re already my best friend. And you’re my favorite person in the world. And the best goalie I’ve ever competed against.”
She chokes on a laugh. “That was a lot more than three, and I don’t think any were lies.”
“You’re right. It was a proposal. Marry me, Adeline Langfield. I want more moments with you. I want an eternity.”
Tears crest her lashes and fall in streams down her cheeks. “I love you.”
“I love you too, baby,” I murmur, my voice barely audible over the raucous crowd. “Is that a yes? Are we really doing this? Because, fuck, do I want to.”
Lips pressed together and teary eyes shining, she nods. “This changes everything.”
I grin. “Good. Now kiss me.”
“There’s no going back,” she taunts. “You kiss me now, and it’s for life. I’m keeping you forever.”
I cuff the back of her neck and pull her mouth to mine. “Kiss. Me. Anyway.”
With a hum, she brushes her lips against mine. “You were almost right about everything.”
I want her mouth so badly, but I want to know her thoughts more, so I pull back a fraction. “What did I get wrong?”
“I’m not the only legend, Hanson. We did this together. We’re what makes us legendary.”
I kiss her hard, reveling in the feel of her. She’s right. Adeline Langfield is the love of my life and if this is the end of my career, then what a fucking way to go.