31. Liam
31
LIAM
T he rink is in complete chaos. Confetti rains down like a snowstorm, and the roar of the crowd is deafening. My heart pounds in my chest as I hold the Stanley Cup, its weight a solid reminder that this isn't a dream.
Noah's beside me, grinning like a kid who just got his first pair of skates. "Can you believe it, man? We did it!"
Ethan's on my other side, his usual brooding expression replaced with a rare smile. "Hell yeah, we did," he says, lifting the Cup higher with me.
"We're fucking champions!" I shout, and the words feel like an electric current running through me.
Noah laughs, shaking his head. "And you said we were underdogs."
"Underdogs my ass," Ethan grunts. "We showed them."
The three of us hold the Cup high together, the culmination of years of blood, sweat, and more than a few broken bones. The lights flash as photographers capture our moment of triumph. It's surreal.
As the celebration swirls around us, I spot Olivia making her way onto the ice, her eyes sparkling with excitement. My heart skips a beat.
"Hey, Noah, Ethan," I call out, pointing in her direction. "Look who's here."
They turn to see Olivia, and we skate over to meet her. As soon as we reach her, she jumps into our arms, wrapping herself around me first. I hold her tightly, reveling in the feel of her against me.
"You did it! You guys were incredible!" Her voice is filled with pride and joy.
I smirk, feeling a rush of adrenaline. "Of course we did. Did you doubt us?"
Noah grins and joins the hug, his arm around both of us. "Not for a second," he says, winking at Olivia.
Ethan steps in last, his usual stern expression softened by a rare smile. He places a hand on Olivia's back. "Thanks for being here," he says simply.
Olivia looks at each of us in turn, her eyes brimming with emotion. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."
The four of us stand there for a moment, wrapped in our own little world amidst the chaos of victory. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and happiness—something I haven't felt in a long time.
Noah nudges me with his elbow. "So, Captain," he says with a teasing grin. "What's next?
The excitement of the victory slowly calms, replaced by a more intimate celebration. Olivia is still in my arms, her warmth a soothing balm to the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I exchange a look with Noah and Ethan, who both nod subtly. It's time.
"Olivia," I start, my voice steady. "There's something we all need to talk about."
She looks up at me, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What's going on?"
Noah steps closer, his usual grin tempered with seriousness. "We've been thinking about the future. Our future together."
Ethan clears his throat, looking uncharacteristically vulnerable. "We found a place. A four-bedroom house."
Olivia's eyebrows shoot up. "A house? For all of us?"
I nod, tightening my grip around her waist. "Yeah. We want to take the next step in our relationship by moving in together."
She pulls back slightly to look at all of us, her eyes wide with surprise and something else—hope? "You guys are serious about this?"
"Dead serious," Noah says, his tone light but his expression sincere.
Ethan crosses his arms, his gaze never leaving Olivia's face. "We know it's a lot to take in, but we've thought it through."
Olivia’s eyes widen in surprise, but then her face breaks into a radiant smile. “Yes,” she says, her voice full of emotion. “Absolutely, yes.” She pulls us all into a tight embrace, her arms wrapping around each of us as best she can.
Noah lets out a triumphant laugh, squeezing her and me both. “Damn, I knew you’d say yes. You’ve always been smarter than the rest of us.”
I chuckle, feeling the tension I didn't realize I was holding melt away. “It’s because she has better taste,” I say, shooting Noah a playful smirk.
Ethan shakes his head, a rare grin spreading across his face. “Or maybe she just likes a challenge,” he says quietly, his hand resting on Olivia’s back.
Olivia pulls back slightly to look at each of us, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “I think it’s because I love you all,” she says simply.
For a moment, the noise of the arena fades away. It’s just the four of us, standing together in this surreal moment of triumph and love. My heart feels like it might burst with how full it is.
Noah breaks the silence with his usual flair. “Alright, we’ve got to celebrate this properly.” He glances around at the chaos on the ice. “How about we head somewhere quieter? Maybe grab a drink?”
“Good idea,” I agree. “Let’s get out of here before Coach decides to make us do victory laps.”
Ethan snorts. “Like he could catch us now.”
We laugh together as we make our way off the ice, still holding Olivia between us. The locker room is quieter but still buzzing with energy from our win.
“Shower first,” I announce as we step inside. “Then we’ll find a place to celebrate properly.”
Olivia gives me an amused look. “You really know how to kill the mood, don’t you?”
I grin down at her. “Just keeping you on your toes.”
As we head toward the showers, Noah nudges Ethan with his elbow. “Bet you can’t beat my time.”
Ethan raises an eyebrow. “You’re on.”
We all laugh again as we head to clean up, knowing that whatever comes next, we’ll face it together with Olivia Lutz as our biggest fan.