Chapter 58
ZARIAH
EPILOGUE: THE FIFTH RING
As a writer’s personal assistant, the majority of my job was spent taking coffee orders.
I had zero input at the meetings, and I had a fucking blast. It was like getting to see a bunch of sculptors smashing something into art.
I learned more listening to my bosses plot a TV show than I had at school.
I loved every second. And when I wasn’t working, I was talking to Denali.
We called, we texted, we wrote endless letters, we sent care packages.
I rang him up before his games and showed up to surprise him for as many as I could.
Yes, I missed Denali desperately, but the miles between us didn’t ruin anything.
I loved the relationship we were building and the people we were becoming.
In the miles between us, I’d discovered this deeper realm of love. I wasn’t swimming anymore in the pool; we were swimming in an ocean. Denali was right. It was terrifying and pretty incredible all at once.
My contract was renewed for another season with the medical drama, and Denali asked me if I was ready to get engaged.
It was amazing how different I felt. I’d already moved from being apprehensive about marriage to eager to have the ring on my finger.
Everybody at the studio already thought he was my husband.
He was my emergency contact on every form, had an extra key to my apartment, and we shared a tutor for weekly Italian classes.
I told him when he wanted to ask, I’d give an unequivocal yes.
Once out of school, Denali was offered a three-year contract for the Carolina Reapers. He flew me out to check out the facilities, and in front of the cameras, Denali took my ring off of my Gladiator band and proposed.
We got married in Houston, and after our honeymoon, made our separate ways again.
I earned a spot as a script coordinator—my first union job—while Denali worked his ass off rising with the Carolina Reapers until they offered him an eight-year contract for eight figures, more money than Denali had ever seen with hockey.
He called me to tell me the good news and I was shocked. “Oh my fucking god—baby, that’s wonderful. When are you going to sign the dotted line?”
“I’m not,” he said casually, his voice a murmur in the monotone of the crowd over the phone, his lawyers and agent.
“You’re not?” I repeated. “How could you say no?”
“It’s really easy. Because I put in my request and got a contract for the Atlanta Colts.”
“The Atlanta…?” I ran a hand over my hair, stumbling over my feet. “The Atlanta Colts?”
Denali Maddox surprised the hockey world once again.
This time, declining a huge contract for one of the best eastern hockey teams to take a substantial pay cut to live in Atlanta.
I couldn’t believe he was coming home to me.
His agent told me I was by far the most expensive requirement he’d ever seen in contract negotiations.
I was so touched and so loved. His new contract didn’t begin until October, but I convinced Denali to fly in right after hockey season ended in April for his birthday, to celebrate in Atlanta. To see the facilities and meet his new team.
With a couple of surprises up my sleeve.
Tyree’s was a huge sports bar in downtown Atlanta doubling as an arcade. It was our favorite date night spot when Denali flew in to visit. I promised him for his first night, we’d spend it at the sports bar.
I didn’t say who else would be in attendance.
“Denali’s not going to give a shit about the balloons,” Elijah barked at me. “We don’t need to blow up a thousand of them!” The years, and his spot on his professional hockey team, had convinced him that he could grow a mustache. I disagreed.
“If you don’t blow up the rest of the balloons, I’ll shave that rat off your face,” I threatened.
He groaned, blowing up another balloon, while Nick walked up, his son on his hip. “The hostess asked if you want the private room yet?”
“Not yet—”
“Zariah. There’s more people coming in every second.”
I huffed. “Trust me, this isn’t half.”
I invited Denali’s family, my family, his teammates from the Reapers, his coaches, his past coaches, everyone from my network studio, and everyone from the Gladiators who’d scattered across the United States and Canada.
The sports bar was packed with friends and family, but we still had an hour to go. Plenty more people were coming.
“When is my second son arriving?” my mom inquired. My parents and Denali had gotten so much closer, especially around the wedding.
I checked my watch. “I’m leaving for the airport in fifteen.”
Catcalls rose up from the crowd as Bear and June shouted by the doors. For a moment, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I invited Montoya, but I didn’t think he was going to make it. Out of everyone else, he was by far the busiest. He hadn’t replied to any of our group chats in months.
“It’s the NHL Rookie of the Year!” Elijah shouted and Montoya grinned, coming up to give me a hug.
“Oh my god.” I hugged him back, squeezing him tight. “You’re here!”
“I pulled all the stops,” he chuckled.
“I can’t believe Mr. Cologne Ad is gracing us with his presence," Nick teased, hugging him too.
“Uh-huh.” Montoya snorted. “That cologne ad paid more than your last contract, Kurosawa.”
“Ooo, he’s got teeth on him.”
“Where do I put my present?” Montoya asked, holding up a wrapped box. “When’s Denali coming in?”
“I’m picking him up in, like—”
“Zariah?” Bear stopped me, a deep-set frown on his face. “Is that Denali?”
We glanced towards the doors of the sports bar, gawking at a ruffled Denali, wheeling in his suitcase, a bouquet of flowers in hand. He froze at the door, surrounded by his unexpected loved ones.
The ripple of surprise went over the crowd, everyone slowly realizing the reason for the surprise birthday party had just walked through the door.
“Is…?” Montoya dipped down to me. “Is he supposed to be here?”
“What the fuck?” I whispered.
A dumbfounded smile crossed Denali’s face as he took in the scene, Tyree’s was decorated in Colt colors, his name was on every banner. His eyes finally met mine, his smile morphing into a full-blown grin, beaming.
“Mia moglie!” he shouted. “Ci sono così tante persone che conosco qui!”
I was flabbergasted at his joke. “Che diavolo ci fai qui?!”
He burst into laughter, holding up the bouquet. “Fiori! Per mia moglie!”
I couldn’t believe the surprise party I’d spent weeks meticulously planning, that everyone had put so much effort into hiding from him, went up in smoke because he wanted to drop off flowers for our table.
I crossed the distance between us, halfway between wanting to curse him out and being so fucking happy to see him.
As soon as I came close, Denali swept me off my feet, pulling me in for a kiss. “Mia moglie,” he murmured along my lips, kissing me again. “Luce dei miei occhi.”
I flushed with pleasure at his soft words and wound myself up in him. For a moment, I didn’t care about the audience, still coming through the door and asking if Denali was really an hour early to his own surprise party.
“I missed you,” I breathed out, kissing him again. “Happy birthday.”
“Happy birthday to me,” he hummed, kissing me again.
While Denali told me about his adventure, grabbing an earlier flight with a layover and picking up flowers for our table, the realization settled over me. Denali was right here. Oh my god—I thought I’d have the car ride to the airport to prepare myself for his birthday present.
That time was gone.
Holy shit. It was here and now.
The rest of the party was negotiable, but the big thing for tonight was Denali’s present. It was the one thing he wanted most of all.
I didn’t think I’d be so nervous to talk to him about it.
“I have to get the hostess for the private room,” I whispered. “We’re opening presents!”
“Riah, this means so much to—”
“Be right back!” I cut him off, heading to the hostess. I fought to keep my breathing even. Hurrying to the pile of presents in the roped-off room, I grabbed mine from up top, the wine-red velvet ring box, repurposed for tonight.
I’d toyed with giving it to him on the ride to the party. And then I bounced between giving it to him in front of everybody or giving it to him privately or—my thoughts were all over the place while I asked the hostess for our private room.
I took deep breaths before returning to Denali.
I wouldn’t be nervous.
There was no reason to be nervous—
I stumbled to a stop, realizing someone had grabbed my husband’s attention. A lanky man with flaming red hair had stopped him. My blood ran cold.
“Sorry, man, I don’t remember the name,” Denali said easily. “Do you want an autograph?”
“I’d kill for an autograph.” He nodded. “But you don’t remember me? We went to hockey camp together?”
Denali shook his head. “Uh, no.”
“Ross Tillerman?”
“No, sorry.” Denali offered him an apologetic smile. “I’ve played with a lot of people, been on the road a lot—”
I couldn’t believe this. While I was busy worrying about Denali’s present, organizing his birthday party, and coordinating things with his staff, Ross Tillerman wanted to grab an autograph from my husband? My fingers clenched into fists, red-hot anger taking hold.
Ross fucking Tillerman?!
I didn’t think; I reacted. I grabbed the first drink off of an abandoned table, a half-empty slushie melted into syrup, and tossed the drink in Ross’s face.
Ross sputtered. Gasps echoed around us, but I didn’t give a shit. I was ready to punch that motherfucker in the face.
“Woah, woah, woah!” Arms wrapped around me, Denali yanking me back. “Baby, hold on—”
“I want him out!” I demanded. “I dropped a lot of money for this place—I WANT HIM OUT OF HERE!”
Denali was stunned but he didn’t question me as security was called over. Ross was too embarrassed to say anything and was immediately escorted out. Our friends flocked over to see what happened, but Denali tugged me away from everybody.