53. June
CHAPTER 53
JUNE
I blink, and it’s Christmastime, my favorite time of the year. I love to buy Christmas decorations and shop for gifts. I usually have to budget my purchases, but since I haven’t had to pay rent for the past few months, I can splurge a little.
This year, I get to decorate two apartments instead of one. Mrs. Carpenter is coming home on Christmas Day, and I want to surprise her. The boys already moved all my stuff into their apartment, and for now, I’ll rotate bedrooms until we move to a bigger place. I need my own room with a bed big enough for all of us to fit in. We’ll probably need to custom order.
I’m staring at our Christmas tree, daydreaming about the loves of my life, when Katrina interrupts my thoughts.
“Are you nervous?”
“About what? Meeting Lachy’s grandmother?”
Soon after Ryan’s mother’s funeral, Lachy decided to speak with the lady who claimed to be his grandmother. It didn’t take much for him to believe her. Jake and Ryan weren’t so trusting and insisted on seeing a DNA test. I agreed with them, although I was a bit nicer about it. In the end, the DNA test confirmed Lachy was related to the woman, and now, she’s coming to spend Christmas with us.
“Not that. The game.”
“No,” I lie. “Why should I be nervous?”
“You’re part of tonight’s puck-drop ceremony. I’d be nervous if I were you.”
It’s the last game before the team takes a short Christmas break, and the Titans invited Louis Miller, his mother, and me to join the team on the ice before the game. Louis will drop the ceremonial puck. I do have jitters. I’ve been to all their home games since the sex tape scandal, but it’ll be different tonight. More cameras, more attention.
“Louis is the guest of honor, not me.”
She smirks. “Sure, sure. Are you ready? Beau said he couldn’t find parking. He’s double-parked in front of the building.”
“I’ve been ready for half an hour. You’re the one who had to come up to pee.”
“Shut up.” We head for the door, and she adds, “You look stunning, by the way. If the Titans lose, I’ll blame you for breaking your men’s concentration.”
“Oh my God. Don’t even joke about that. I can’t afford the fans thinking I bring bad luck to the team.”
Katrina laughs. “Are you rattled now?”
“A little bit.” I give her the stink eye. “Was that your intention?”
She widens her eyes innocently as we wait for the elevator. “No way. I’d never do that to you on purpose.”
I squint. “You’re so full of shit. I don’t know why I put up with your antics.”
The elevator door opens, and she walks in first. “Because you love them.”
The arena feels so much bigger when you’re standing on the ice and facing thousands of fans. I don’t know how my boys don’t feel the weight of the pressure when they play. If do they, it doesn’t seem to affect their game. My heart is beating at breakneck speed, and my pulse is pounding so loudly in my ears, I can barely hear anything else.
I’m glad I’m not the one who has to drop the puck in front of Jake and Leo Wiseman, the Boston Zodiacs captain. I’d probably trip and fall on my face. That’s why I opted for flat boots instead of the high heels Melissa suggested. I don’t care if heels make my ass look hotter. I already have all the male attention I need.
I stand next to Louis’s mother while he poses for pictures holding the puck. He’s supposed to walk back to us before we leave the ice but, instead, Louis takes my hand and pulls me opposite the direction we’re supposed to go.
“What are you doing, Louis? We have to go that way.” I point.
“Not yet, Miss Summers.”
I glance at his mother, wondering why she’s not saying anything. But Anne is smiling like she’s in on a secret. I spot Melissa, Katrina, and Beau coming onto the ice. My accelerating heart beats faster.
When I turn, Jake is there with Lachy and Ryan. “What’s going on?”
“Thank you, Louis. We’ll take it from here.” Jake smiles.
Louis releases my hand and gives the boys two thumbs up. “Good luck.”
Suddenly, I’m hot and cold, and my body is quivering. “What are you up to?”
“We’re bringing our story full circle, lass,” Lachy replies.
“Huh?”
“You were brought into our lives due to a failed marriage proposal,” Ryan continues.
“It’s only fitting that we seal the deal with a successful one—at least, we hope it will be successful,” Jake adds, before the three of them drop to their knees, even Lachy with his goalie padding and all, and each opens a small box with an engagement ring inside.
I let out a gasp, then cover my mouth.
“June Summers, will you do us the honor of marrying us?” Ryan asks.
I’m stunned, and even though I know thousands of people are watching, I don’t care. My entire universe is right in front of me, asking me to be their wife. I blink fast, and fat tears roll down my cheeks.
“I hope those are happy tears, lass.” Lachy smiles.
I nod.
“Is that yes?” Jake asks
“Yes!” I blurt out. “Of course it’s a yes.”
There’s a roar in the background and music, but it all feels far away. They each take a turn sliding a ring on my finger, and when Lachy puts on the last one, I see that the rings are actually parts that make one complete piece of jewelry. It clicks into place, forming one engagement ring with three massive diamond stones.
They get back on their skates, and then I disappear, engulfed in their group embrace.
“We love you, Peaches,” Ryan whispers in my ear. “So fucking much.”
“I love you too.”
I kiss my boys—my fiancés—in front of allies and people who I know are judging us, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t care about anyone else. My boys are enough. We are our own universe.