Epilogue
LAINEY
August, One Year Later
Alex holds my hand as he hauls his last bag out to his truck parked in front of my house. He spent the end of summer break with us.
While I’m getting ready for the fall semester, he’s on his way to the start of his future in Elmont, New York to play for the Islanders.
He was their draft pick last summer in the first round. Rather than wait for him to finish out his time at college, they offered him a contract this year for the upcoming hockey season.
As proud as I am because he’s worked hard for this, my heart gives a faint twinge of loneliness.
I’ve prepared myself all summer for this.
Not only for the distance this will put between us physically, but the possibility that with that distance he’ll realize what we have isn’t so special after all.
He might be the one who suggested all the ways we’ll stay in touch, but the reality is he probably won’t have the time or energy he plans to put into our long distance relationship.
Frowning, I push the pessimistic thoughts from my mind.
This is his moment and I won’t ruin it with my old insecurities flaring up.
They’re born from a combination of my mom’s affair splitting my family apart and my own isolation habits. It’s been a long time since I’ve faced them after working through how I felt with my dad and Theo, and learning to come out of my shell. I have no reason to doubt my boyfriend.
Alex flashes me a sidelong look. He’s been the quiet one all day and it’s throwing me off. Maybe he’s nervous.
“I’ll text you when I get there. At least I’m only a few hours away. We won’t be far from each other.”
I duck my head with a soft smile. He’s always able to tell when I’m down without me needing to voice it.
“Hockey players are on the road a lot,” I say. “You’ll be adjusting to a new team and training schedule at the professional level. You should focus on getting to know them. Don’t worry about me.”
He pulls a face and my smile stretches wider while he tosses a duffel bag in the truck. “But we’re home during the break after midterms. You’ll come down then, yeah?”
I slip my arms around his waist from behind and hug him tight to hold me over until I see him again. “Of course. I’ll miss you, but I promise I’ll be okay.”
Tension bleeds from his body and he turns around. “Good.”
Alex captures my waist between his large hands and guides me to lean against the truck before rummaging through his bags. “I got you something.”
I accept the book-shaped package and smirk. “You’re the one we’re supposed to be celebrating.”
He doesn’t respond, watching me carefully. Almost nervously.
Beneath the wrapping, I find the book I’ve been reading. The familiar bookmark sticking out gives it away. He took it off the pile on my nightstand.
I shoot him an amused look. “Thanks, babe. You’re so sweet and thoughtful.” I stretch on my toes to kiss his cheek. “Great taste.”
“Open it,” he urges.
Examining the book, I find there’s something inside where my place is marked creating a slight disruption. I open it, then blink at what’s inside.
Shock filters through my system. There’s a simple handwritten note beside my bookmark.
Will you marry me? (Not pretend )
The words barely register because the ring tucked between the pages slides down, in danger of falling. I catch it, setting the book behind me on his truck bed.
Not pretend has become my two favorite words in Alex’s vocabulary. He’s always reminding me after a kiss or when he tells me he loves me that this is real for him.
The engagement ring is simple, yet beautiful. It perfectly suits my style and I immediately fall in love with its understated elegance.
“Alex,” I whisper.
He cradles my hand the same way he’s done hundreds of times, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. It always calms me down and grounds me.
“I told you once that I’m a man who goes after what he wants.” He gives me that lopsided smile I love. “I know exactly what I want, sweetheart. You. Forever.”
My eyes widen. “You’re serious?”
A warm laugh leaves him. “Yes, baby. I’m always serious when it comes to you. Do I have to remind you again with another not-pretending kiss?”
“You’re crazy,” I mumble.
He grazes my forehead with his lips. “Crazy about you.” Leaning back, his eyes meet mine.
“I didn’t want to make this big change and have you thinking you were left behind because I signed an NHL contract.
I wasn’t going without making sure you knew that first. It doesn’t matter where I go, which team I play for.
My heart is yours, Lainey. So will you marry me or not? ”
My heart squeezes. “Are you sure? We’re so young.”
“We can wait as long as you want to make it official,” he says quickly. “I just want everyone to know you’re mine. To know someday I’ll get to call you my wife.”
I draw in a sharp breath, biting my lip. He gazes at me earnestly, green eyes full of love.
“That would make you my husband.” A laugh bubbles out of me as it sinks in that we haven’t been temporary for a long time. The lonely doubts clinging to me evaporate. “I like the sound of that.”
He nods, squeezing my waist. “Me too, baby. If you say yes, we can go to the courthouse right now. Or we can wait. It’s up to you. I’m all fucking in.”
I laugh again, leaning my forehead against his chest. Somehow I manage to nod, realizing a moment later I’m saying yes over and over.
Alex crushes me in a hug, an exhale huffing out of him that’s half a relieved laugh, half a groan. “I thought you were going to leave me hanging. Holy shit. You said yes.” Another laugh leaves him. “We’re getting married.”
“You’re going to make me drop the ring.” I can’t stop grinning, clutching the engagement ring so it doesn’t slip from my grasp while he holds me in his strong embrace.
“Let me.”
Grabbing my waist, he boosts me to sit on the truck bed and takes the ring from me. I hold out my hand and he slides it on my finger. I admire it as warmth spreads through me.
“I love it,” I murmur.
Alex rests his forehead against mine. “Marrying you is better than any goal I’ve ever scored or will score.”