Epilogue
January
Theo Kershaw Says Goodbye
It’s expected to be a glittering event tonight as Rebels, old and new, gather to send off legendary defenseman, Theo Kershaw, into his golden retirement years.
Though some of us here in the Hot Goss bullpen doubt the Empty Net, a seen-better-days sports bar in downtown Riverbrook, can really do “glittering,” insider sources tell us that the place holds special meaning for Theo and his wife of over twenty-five years, Elle Butler Kershaw.
A trawl through the Hot Goss archives reveals that the Net, as the locals have nicknamed it, was once the site of a physical altercation between Theo and then Rebels teammate, Levi Hunt.
(Will former player Hunt appear at the party?
Or does this ancient beef still cast a pall over their once-tight friendship?) One source, who insisted on anonymity, informed us that Elle told Theo about his impending fatherhood in this very bar.
Or the owner’s office, to be precise, where apparently all the good stuff related to the Rebels happens.
I don’t know about you, but I feel like I know way too much about Hatch Kershaw’s conception, gestation, and birth!
Those rumors about Theo Kershaw’s dinosaur-themed underwear on the night the eldest Kershaw was conceived were confirmed by Hatch himself during an ESPN interview at the start of the season.
Kershaw Junior was much more cagey about his relationship with his teammate’s former fiancé, replying with “no comment” when pressed.
But as long as the readers crave it, we’ll keep reporting on the Rebels royals and their R-drama.
-@HotGoss
Hatch
“So I don’t know about you, but I feel like I know way too much about Hatch Kershaw’s—”
“Yeah, yeah.” I cut Jason off, then glared at him to shut him up. I’d like to say that Hot Goss had gone too far this time, but I’m sure they’d pissed me off even more at some point in the past.
Let them gossip all they want about my personal life because my professional one was on fire.
No one could argue with my results so far this season.
Three months in, I currently led the league in goals and was second in points.
I’d finally found my groove. (And Jason didn’t have to screw up any passes to make me look like “the good Kershaw,” either.)
Another reason to celebrate was the exit of Carter, who had decided to take some time off after a couple of wobbly games and healthy scratches.
The truth was that after saying he “didn’t need this shit” one too many times within the earshot of Coach, he was encouraged to take a break to see if it resulted in an attitude adjustment.
It did not. Carter was out.
I was confident I could have survived the rest of the season with a griping Carter shooting stabby eyes at me during every practice, shift, and post-game celly.
But Summer didn’t enjoy seeing him around, and my woman’s mental well-being and happiness were all that mattered.
So what if I wouldn’t get the chance to rub his face in it as he’d unknowingly done to me for five years?
I could be the bigger man here because I had won.
And my prize was coming toward me, violet-blue eyes glittering, a sultry sway to her hips, or maybe it was those thigh-high boots that gave her all that sexy swagger. Tonight, they would definitely be staying on when I went down on her.
“Sunshine, you’re late.”
She wrapped her curvy body around me and peeked up. “I had to finish a report for the boss lady.”
“Figuring out which hotshots will one day replace me?”
She grinned. “Better watch your back, Dino Boy.”
Lauren had barely waited six weeks before promoting Summer to junior agent at her brand-new boutique agency.
My Summer had a knack for it. Knew the game, the people, the players inside out.
Could turn on the charm when she needed it, too.
Sometimes I’d hear her on the phone with a potential client or wavering team owner, and that Southern twang got more pronounced as Shelby Mae stepped up to the plate.
Damn, I loved that scrappy girl from Mississippi. She had brought Summer home to me.
“How’s your dad doing?”
I looked over at him, yukking it up at the bar with Levi Hunt, Gunnar Bond, and Cal Foreman, just a few of his former teammates and closest friends.
Everyone had come out to see him—the Durand brothers, the Chase sisters, Rosie’s dads, his old coaches, all the players who had mentored him, and the ones who learned how to be good teammates and better men just by spending a moment in his presence.
“I think he’s going to miss being a Rebel.”
“Once one, always one, right?”
I kissed her forehead. “It’s a pretty special club. Even front office alums and Rebel WAGs get member jackets.”
She smiled up at me. “I like the Kershaw club better, even if I don’t officially carry the name.”
She was still skittish about the idea of marriage.
Each day, the trust between us grew stronger, and I hoped that there would come a time when she’d trust herself enough and agree to be my wife.
Until then, I’d regularly pat my pocket to check on the ring Aurora had given me, the one I carried with me at all times, just waiting for that sign.
And in the meantime, I’d hold my girl close and never let her go.
“You’re one of us, Sunshine. Don’t you forget it.”
I looked over her head at Jason, who I had happily ignored as soon as Summer arrived. His attention was elsewhere, but before I could track his target, Conor bounded up, blocking my sightline.
“Hey, lovahs! What’s shakin’?”
My brother was home for a flying visit to attend Dad’s retirement party. He’d had a great start with Detroit and was already being talked about for the Calder, the trophy they gave to rookies at the end of their maiden season.
He kissed Summer on the cheek, high-fived me, and turned to Jason.
Then turned right back with a typically Conor-cryptic, “Interesting.”
“What is?”
“Just something I know.”
I rolled my eyes. “Are we in for a night of vague-booking and veiled references to your favorite hot beverage?”
“That would be Shelby Mae’s fave.” Conor had loved learning that tidbit about my girl’s past. “You still digging that teapot I gave you?”
She squeezed his arm. “It was my favorite birthday present, Connie.”
“Ahem,” I coughed.
“After my man’s gift subscription to the Cheese of the Month club. I mean, duh!”
I brushed my lips across the top of her head. Damn, I shouldn’t have been this happy.
Conor nudged Jason. “I see your sworn enemy is here.”
Jason frowned, and his cheeks flushed slightly. I followed his gaze to Rosie and Franky, who were on their way over to greet us.
“Don’t you mean yours?” I asked. Conor and Rosie liked to snipe at each other like a couple of fishwives.
Rosie hugged Summer, then kissed me and Jason on the cheek. She made a point of ignoring Conor. “Hey, girl, I found one of your bras stuffed between the sofa cushions!”
Color painted a watercolor bloom over Summer’s cheeks. “Not sure how that got there.”
I had an idea. Fun times while the roomie was away.
“Must have been left behind when you moved in with your hockey player boyfriend before the holidays.” Rosie rummaged in her purse. “I have it here—”
“Later, Ro. Sheesh!”
“I dunno.” I squeezed her waist. “I think we’d all like to see it now.”
“Hatch!” Said like Haa-itch.
I loved when her country came out. But I didn’t have time to appreciate it because just then, Franky took off her coat.
And turned.
Summer gasped. Rosie grinned. My mouth fell open.
Because Franky St. James was sporting a baby bump.
Conor raised his eyebrows in my direction. “Yep.”
Somehow, this fucker already knew.
Franky pushed her glasses back up her nose. “As you can see, I’m pregnant. I was loath to steal focus from Theo’s party, but Rosie insisted I come. I hope he doesn’t mind.”
She looked over to where my dad was busy shaking Dex O’Malley’s shoulders. The man had no idea what was happening in this small corner, but as he was a lover of the drama, I suspected he would be thrilled. And then he would be curious.
Like us all.
“I’m sure you have questions,” Franky said.
This statement was greeted with a chorus of “oh, no!” and “not at all!” followed by heartfelt congratulations. This was her dream, and I was thrilled to see it coming true for her.
Franky chewed on her lip. She was nervous, a look I didn’t think I’d ever seen on her. “I should visit the bathroom before I ingest any liquid.”
Summer and Rosie took her by the arm on either side. “We’ll come, too.”
My girl shot a quick look my way, assuring me she would get the goods. As the trio headed off, I couldn’t help noticing Franky’s searching glance over her shoulder.
With the women out of range, I turned to Conor. “Okay, spill.”
“Remember that time you warned me to wrap it before I tap it because I said people were too attached to their sperm?”
My heart sank to the unvarnished floorboards. Connie, what have you done?
“Don’t worry, bro, it’s not me! Someone else we know decided that it was time to unwrap it and tap his swimmers for a very important mission.” My brother gave a hammy chin jerk toward Jason, his expression one of barely restrained glee.
Summer didn’t need to get the goods from Rosie after all. The tea was being poured right here.
Jason blew out a breath, rubbed his mouth, and said:
“Well, kids, let me tell you a story.”
Up next in the Chicago Players series, Top Shelf Stud …
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed Hatch and Summer in REBEL brIDE.