Epilogue
Parker
Valentine’s Day
“You look like you really need to drink this,” I say, holding out another glass of champagne to Freya.
She takes it with trembling fingers, and despite mumbling, “I really shouldn’t drink another,” she instantly lifts it to her lips and takes a big sip. “I shouldn’t be here. Why did I think this was a good idea?”
“Because it is a good idea,” Casey calls from the vanity where she’s reapplying her lipstick.
Tonight is the night of the Vipers’ Valentine’s gala, an event that Reese and her team run annually to raise money for our local children’s hospitals. With games and travelling, it doesn’t always land on the right day, but this year, Cupid has been on her side.
It’s my first formal event both as a part of the Vipers’ family and as Lincoln Storm’s girlfriend, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.
Linc and I may have had the spotlight on us for a week or so now, but it’s not becoming any more normal. Not yet, at least.
Freya stares back at me with wide, terrified eyes despite Casey’s encouragement.
She made the mistake of mentioning that she no longer has any fun in her life or a reason to dress up. Casey took that as a mission, and well, she made it happen.
Tonight, Freya’s is Handsy’s unofficial date.
Freya tried to argue, but Casey was having none of it. And thankfully, forever-single Handsy was happy to spend the night with a beautiful woman on his arm.
“In my head, it was a good idea. Now I’m here, I’m not so sure.” Freya looks down at herself. “Is this dress too much? It’s too much, isn’t it?”
She turns to look at herself in the mirror and frowns. How that’s possible, I don’t know. She looks stunning.
Her glittering silver gown is beyond beautiful, and her hair has been elegantly twisted up, pulling it back from her face, and her makeup is flawless.
The three of us have spent the afternoon relaxing and getting dolled up while the guys took Sutton to the arena to practice.
I’m kinda disappointed I missed it, and I know Casey is, too.
There is something very magical about watching a bunch of massive hockey players chase a little girl around the ice.
She’s got them all twisted around her little finger. Just the way it should be.
“No, Freya,” Casey says firmly as she walks over and stands beside our much taller friend. “It is the opposite of too much. It’s incredible, and you look like a knockout in it. Handsy is definitely not going to regret agreeing to take you.”
At the mention of her date, Freya goes a little green again.
“It’s going to be an amazing night. We’re going to drink, have good food, laugh, and dance the night away. The exact kind of night out you need,” Casey encourages. But despite Freya’s desire to get out and live, I’m starting to wonder if she’s pushing herself too hard.
Getting over breakups isn’t easy. Each day is different from the last and it’s impossible to know what the next one will be like.
“You’ve got this, Freya. And if at any point it gets too much, just bail to your room. No one will judge you for pulling your pjs on, ordering room service ice cream, and watching a rom-com.”
“I know,” she muses. “I just…I really want to be like the old me, you know? The version of myself that didn’t overthink everything.”
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and squeeze her.
“We know. And we also know that you’ll get there. I know it sucks, but it just takes time.”
“Now, drink up, because the longer we stay in here, the worse it’s going to be. We’ve got three gorgeous men waiting for us downstairs. Shall we?” Casey asks after swallowing the rest of her champagne.
Freya finishes her drink and looks at herself in the mirror again. Unease comes off her in waves. I just hope that when she gets down there and is surrounded by the guys, she’ll forget all about her nerves and enjoy herself.
“Ready to go see your man?” Casey asks as we move toward the door.
“Maybe,” I tease, wiggling my brows.
The truth is, I can’t freaking wait. Lincoln Storm in a dinner suit. Yum. Yes please.
We leave Casey’s room and head for the elevator.
“Is your dad coming tonight?” Freya asks as we descend through the building.
“Nope, he’s got a date,” Casey announces.
“What?” I blurt. I have never, ever heard those words leave her lips before.
Casey laughs, and I’m immediately suspicious.
“Yep, and she’s perfect for him. They’ll spend the night talking about and watching hockey. His perfect kind of evening.”
“He’s babysitting Sutton, isn’t he?” Freya guesses.
“Yep. He’s on grandpa duties.”
“What about Kodie’s mom?” I ask. She’s usually first reserve.
“She’s gone out with the girls.”
“Cute. Sutton is going to have the best time with your dad.”
“Honestly, I think he was more excited than she was.”
“Adorable,” I breathe as the elevator doors open.
We’re greeted by a mass of red roses and twinkling fairy lights.
“Wow,” we all breathe as we step out.
“So pretty,” Freya sings.
Turning to our right, we follow the low rumbling of voices toward the bar, where the men are waiting.
Handsy is the first to spot us. He pauses with his glass partway to his mouth. His eyes skim over me and Casey before finding Freya. His chin drops, and I just wish she saw it. But when I look over, she’s too busy scanning the room, looking at everything.
Reaching out, Handsy backhands Linc and nods in our direction.
The second Linc’s eyes land on me, my temperature soars.
Time seems to stand still as he takes me in from head to toe.
“Holy crap,” Freya gasps. “Even I can feel the crackling in the air.”
I’m vaguely aware of Kodie walking toward my best friend and Freya moving away from me as Linc closes in.
“Parker, you look…fuck,” he rasps, his eyes everywhere.
My emerald-green dress is fitted everywhere it should be—it’s low cut and elegant, and it makes me feel like a million dollars in a way any of the dresses I already had in my wardrobe wouldn’t.
Linc was right; I needed this dress.
“It’s the same color as your prom dress,” he points out.
A smile twitches at my lips.
“You noticed,” I whisper.
“Babe, I notice everything about you.” My smile widens as my heart slams against my ribs.
“I especially notice how fucking hot you are.” His eyes drop to my exposed cleavage, and the blue darkens even more.
“Do we have to go to this dinner? Can’t we just go up to our room so I can peel this dress from your body? ”
My cheeks burn red hot, and desire tugs at my lower stomach.
The picture he paints is so fucking tempting.
I lean a little closer. “Later,” I whisper.
He groans as if he’s in pain.
“Just wait until you see what I’m wearing beneath.”
“Christ, babe. Do you want me to be walking around this event hard all night?”
My smile turns mischievous, and he shakes his head.
Reaching for my hand, he tugs me closer, until the warmth of his body burns down mine. “You are hands-down the best thing that’s ever happened to me, pretty girl. Even when you weren’t mine, you were still one of the best things about my life.”
His words, and the emotion in his eyes as he says them, make me feel like the luckiest and most loved girl in the world.
“And now I’m yours?” I ask, unable to stop myself from digging for a few more compliments.
His hand slides up my bare arm, his touch making me shudder in the best kind of way until his fingers wrap around my neck, drawing me even closer.
Pressing his forehead against mine, he stares me dead in the eyes before whispering, “Everything, Parker. Now, you’re my everything.”
“Linc,” I breathe.
One second he’s there, and the next he’s gone. With his hand holding mine, he tugs me toward where the guys are waiting for us.
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” he says, keeping his back to the others, almost like he’s shielding me.
He reaches toward one of the barstools before he reveals a clear box with a stunning ivory rose corsage with deep green detailing.
“W-what?” I stutter, confused.
“Six years ago, I’d have done anything to have been your date to your senior prom. I know this is very different, but I want to give you the kind of experience you should have had that night.”
Emotion burns up my throat as he pulls the lid off the box and gently lifts the floral display from its home.
“Can I?” he asks, reaching for my hand with his free one.
Movement behind him catches my eye, and when I look up, I find our friends all watching us with smiles on their faces.
“This is going to ruin your reputation,” I whisper.
“I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks about me but you, pretty girl.”
My eyes drop to where he slides the corsage onto my wrist, the opposite one to where I wear the bracelet he bought me.
“I can’t believe you’ve done this,” I say, gently tracing the delicate petals with my fingertip.
“It’s never too late for a do-over, Parker. Now, will you do me the honor of being my date for tonight?” he asks, holding his hand out for me to take.
I click my tongue, fighting my smile. “I mean…I did get a few offers, but…you are quite hot. And something tells me that you might know how to end the night on a high.”
“Oh, babe, you can guaran-fucking-tee that.”
He tugs me forward once again, and this time he brushes his lips against my stained ones in a sweet and teasing kiss.
“Do you want a drink?” he asks as he pulls back.
A laugh tumbles from my lips when I take in the lipstick that’s transferred to him. “Red is your color,” I tease, dragging my thumb across his bottom one to wipe it off.
“Yeah, I’ve been told that before.” He tugs me toward our friends. “Champagne?”
“Sounds perfect.”
“Ah, how nice of you to join us,” Casey teases, lifting my hand to inspect my new accessory. “He’s so sweet,” she whispers while the guys begin mocking Linc.
“I never thought I’d see the day, but being pussy-whipped suits you,” Kodie announces.
“It’s really beautiful,” Freya says, also inspecting my corsage.
As we enjoy our drinks, more of the team joins us.