Chapter 53 Harper #2
“Honestly, Shane, you are so full of shit,” Nina announced as she stepped inside, Liam trailing behind her, snickering.
Shane shrugged, an annoyingly cocky smirk plastered across his face. “I’m just saying, my game plan was flawless.”
“You told Liam to stand in the crease and block shots like a human wall!” Nina shot back, glaring at him as she stomped past.
“It worked, didn’t it?” Shane countered, holding the door open with one hand and carrying a bag of food in the other.
“It’s a miracle he’s still in one piece,” Nina huffed before turning to me. “Harper, I need a drink. Please tell me you have tequila, because I brought supplies for margaritas.”
I grinned, already heading for the kitchen. “You’re in luck. We’re fully stocked.”
The kids bounded upstairs to Connor’s room, leaving the four of us to settle in. Ryan and Shane started unloading the food while Nina and I got to work on the margaritas.
I shook the bottles in my hands, glancing between Nina and Shane. “Lime or strawberry?”
“Lime,” Nina said decisively, then cut a glance at Shane. “Not that he deserves any, but I guess we can let him have one.”
“You’re too kind,” Shane deadpanned, swiping a chip from the counter.
“Hey!” Nina swatted at him. “That’s for the guac.”
Ryan chuckled as he leaned against the counter, slicing burger buns. “You two are like an old married couple.”
Nina shot him a glare, but her lips twitched. “Don’t make me lump you in with him, Barzal. You’re better than that.”
“Barely,” Shane muttered under his breath, earning another sharp look from Nina.
Ryan shook his head with a smirk, and I turned back to blending the margaritas, the sound of ice crushing mixing with the low hum of conversation.
The kitchen was warm and lively, the air thick with the scent of grilled burgers, toasted buns, and freshly made guacamole.
The kind of easy, chaotic comfort that made a house feel like a home.
By the time we all sat down to eat, the table buzzed with laughter and stories.
Shane exaggerated one of Liam’s saves from the game, Connor beamed at the praise, and Nina kept correcting every part of Shane’s retelling with increasing exasperation.
Ryan sat beside me, his arm stretched across the back of my chair, his thumb idly tracing circles against my shoulder.
Then a knock at the door silenced us all.
We all paused, looking around as if one of us might suddenly remember inviting someone.
“Were you expecting anyone?” Nina asked, her brow furrowing as she reached for her margarita.
“Nope,” I replied, glancing at Ryan.
He shrugged, already standing. “I’ll get it.”
We all craned our necks as he walked to the door and pulled it open.
“Kyle?” Ryan’s voice was warm with surprise. “Jeff?”
Kyle wheeled in, his face lit up with a grin that could rival the sun.
Jeff followed close behind, his usual composed demeanour softened by an easy smile.
Kyle was dressed casually in a fitted sweater and jeans, but Jeff–ever the professional–was in his standard button-down and slacks, though his loosened tie hinted at a long drive.
“What are you two doing here?” Ryan asked, stepping aside to let them in.
Kyle beamed, his excitement practically radiating off him. “We’ve got news.”
Ryan glanced back at me, then at Shane, who was already on his feet. “What kind of news?”
Jeff clapped a hand on Kyle’s shoulder, his eyes sparkling.
“The good kind. We’ve been working behind the scenes, pulling a few strings, and–” He paused, clearly enjoying the moment.
“Shane’s arena can be the new home ice and training facility.
It’s all lined up–pending your approval, of course, Shane. ”
Kyle nodded enthusiastically, practically bouncing in his seat. “Yep. All we need is for Ryan to accept the job, you to sign off on it, and we’re good to go.”
Shane blinked, processing, then broke into a wide grin. “Hell yeah, I’m in! That’s awesome!”
Ryan blinked, processing the information. “You really did it? You did all of this just to keep me on?”
Jeff nodded, his expression warm with understanding. “You’re a big part of this, Ryan. We know how important it is for you to be close to your family. And we wanted you on this staff–you’re exactly what the team needs.”
Ryan looked at me, and I saw relief in his eyes, the weight of months of decisions finally lifting. A grin spread across his face. “Well, in that case… hell yeah, I’m in, too!”
Shane let out a whoop and punched the air. “That’s what I’m talking about!”
The room erupted in cheers. Nina raised her margarita with a mischievous grin. “Well, this calls for another round of drinks!”
Laughter filled the room as everyone rallied around the news.
With the weight of the decision lifted, the energy shifted into something lighter and more celebratory.
The rest of the evening flowed effortlessly, with Jeff and Kyle sticking around for dessert.
Stories, laughter, and playful teasing took over, as if the weight of the world had lifted off all of us.
At one point, Kyle wheeled over to me while the others were engrossed in a story Shane was telling about a disastrous road trip. He leaned in, his voice low. “Thank you for giving him a chance, Harper. I don’t think he’d have done this without you.”
A twinge of guilt flickered through me for how long I’d made Ryan wait, but I pushed it aside. “I should’ve given him that chance a lot sooner than I did. I was an idiot.”
Kyle smirked, his voice dripping with mock innocence. “We were all thinking it, but I’m glad you finally caught up.”
I laughed, swatting his arm playfully.
Across the room, Ryan caught my eye. He was watching me with that soft, adoring smile that never failed to make my heart race. As I walked over, his smile widened, and before I could say anything, he pulled me onto his lap.
“Congratulations, Coach,” I murmured, wrapping my arms around his neck.
His arms circled my waist, holding me close. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”
Looking around the room–at Kyle and Jeff, at Shane and Nina arguing good-naturedly by the counter, at Liam and Connor laughing on the couch–my heart swelled.
This was it. This chaotic, messy, beautiful group of people was the family I’d chosen for me and Connor.
And I’d never been happier.