Chapter 33 Ollie
OLLIE
This week has been a blur. Phoebe and I applied for our marriage license, the Birds won our two home games against the Spellbinders, before we traveled back up to Salem midweek for another win.
Thank goodness for our family and friends helping with all the wedding preparations so I could focus on hockey and not leave Phoebe with the burden of planning our wedding in a week.
My family flew into Boston on Wednesday so they could watch us win against the Spellbinders, and then they flew back to South Jersey on the team plane.
We now lead the series three games to two, and tonight’s home game could clinch it for us.
I’m hanging with Finn and our dad at Colby’s townhouse. Mom, Violet, Shelby, Andie, Daphne, and Logan are at our place and kicked us out.
“Why did Logan get to stay?” Dad asks.
“He’s a photographer,” I say, “so he gets a special dispensation as long as he has a camera in his hands.”
Finn accepts a bottle of water from Colby with thanks.
“So are you more worried for the game tonight or the wedding tomorrow?” Finn asks.
Shrugging, I accept a water bottle of my own from Colby and take a seat at the counter, spinning around to face everyone in the living room.
“I’m not worried about the wedding at all. As long as we’re married at the end of it, nothing else matters. It’s not that I’m worried about the game. I really want to win so we have more time off. Otherwise, we have a game on Sunday, and that’s not how I want to spend the day.”
Everyone chuckles. It’s embarrassing everyone knows what we’ll be doing on whatever days off we have, but I don’t care.
Who can blame me for wanting to be with the woman I love as much as possible?
Especially when she’s as gorgeous and wonderful as Phoebe is.
Other than not getting the $10,000 prize money, losing the contest hasn’t done a thing to harm their business.
They’re getting lots of interest in their cupcake bouquets, and Jack has had to start carrying the cinnamon sugar cookies in his bakery because people are clamoring for them.
He’s a great boss. He even offered to close the bakery so we could use it for a reception, but Teagan offered up one of the dining rooms at the local resort her family purchased with Mac’s family.
They plan to renovate it into a joint Penhallow/Clardmore resort.
Teagan’s family owns casinos, and Mac’s family owns a chain of upscale hotels.
The aging golf resort is a stretch for both companies, but I’m sure they’ll restore it to its former glory.
“We’ll do what we can to win tonight,” Colby says, “so you can have a mini honeymoon before the finals start.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
Colby is true to his word. We win by a score of seven to one—two of the goals were mine.
Unfortunately, it’s the only scoring I’m doing tonight, since my mother has decreed that once we kiss each other goodbye after the game, we won’t see each other until the wedding.
It’s not enough that we’ve been apart for my away game, now we have to sleep apart when we’re in the same town.
Colby has offered up his guest room so I can at least look longingly at our place across the street.
My sister and Andie are staying over so I can’t sneak in.
Andie would turn a blind eye, but I don’t trust Violet to not rat me out.
Bedard is doing a postgame interview in the locker room. Once we’re all showered and somewhat dressed, the press has access to us for interviews. I’m trying to be as invisible as possible so I can escape before anyone asks any questions.
I hear the sports reporter from one of the cable channels ask, “Burke, that was a masterful performance tonight. Something we haven’t seen much of from the Devil Birds in the playoffs. What was different?”
Bedard lifts his baseball cap and runs his hand through his damp hair before replacing it.
“Well, Chuck, it’s the team’s wedding gift to King.
He’s getting married tomorrow, and we figured wrapping up the series so he had an extra day off before we leave for the finals was the best gift we could give him. ”
Like a murmuration of starlings, the small crowd of reporters turn to me.
“Ollie, congratulations!”
“Are you really getting married tomorrow?”
“Why so fast?”
The comments and questions are flying at me, and I’m not even sure who is asking what.
“Thanks. We’re getting married tomorrow in a small, private ceremony. I’ve been waiting to marry Phoebe since the day I met her, so it couldn’t come fast enough.”
Coach and Randi herd the reporters out of the locker room so we can finish dressing and leave in peace.
Phoebe watched the game from the owners’ box so she wouldn’t have to deal with the crowds or any questions.
I missed having her near the glass, but she sat at the front of the box so I could see her when I looked up.
That was good enough. Now that I’m entering the box and seeing her, I know I was fooling myself.
I can see how far away the ice is, and it’s too damn far.
If I could have her on the bench during games, I would.
Honestly, I was ready to give up hockey so I could stay with Phoebe after this season, but the extension for two more years after this season that the Devil Birds offered was so generous, I had to sign.
My now-former agent didn’t tell me it was offered because he was hoping he could get a bigger offer based on my performance in the playoffs and get himself a bigger cut.
“I love you, soon-to-be Mrs. King,” I whisper as I lower my head to press my lips to hers.
“Love you more, soon-to-be my husband,” she says with a cocky grin as we end our kiss.
“Thanks for winning the game so we have more time together.”
“Anything for you, Phoebe.”
“Okay, enough of that,” Mom says. “Save something for the honeymoon.”
Violet rolls her eyes. “Ma, you know he’s not still a virgin, right?”
I can’t believe she said that. I’m not going to live to see my wedding because I’m going to die of embarrassment right here and now.
Thank goodness at least one of my siblings is sane because Finn steps in to defuse the situation. “None of us are virgins. Mom knows that.”
“But your father doesn’t need to know that!” Dad says, making us all laugh.
I try to convince Mom to let me drive Phoebe home, but she knows we’ll end up taking a detour or getting a room at the Devil’s Den and rolling up to our wedding in orgasmic bliss. With the skill of a Viking raiding a village, she whisks Phoebe away from me. Shelby pats my arm in sympathy.
“She did the same thing to me and Finn. It’s annoying but sweet. I love how your mom, both of your parents, have always welcomed us into your family. We’ve missed that since it’s just the two of us. I’m so happy our baby is going to have that.”
I gently wrap Shelby in a hug and kiss her cheek. I hate that she and Phoebe were ever lonely, but I’m so grateful they’re part of the King family now.
I’m alone as I drive back to our neighborhood as part of the procession from the Nest. All I get is a wave before Phoebe is whisked into our home.
Colby slaps me on the shoulder as we enter his townhouse. “Dude, you’ll see her in under twelve hours, and then you’ll be married. You can do it.”
I never thought it would happen, but the friendly camaraderie of the team doesn’t irk me anymore. Every day and every game, I feel more a part of their crazy little cult, and instead of it being cringe, I actually…kind of…like it.
We have a couple of beers, but not enough to get drunk. I’m settled in the guest room, unable to sleep, so I shoot a text to Phoebe.
Me: Can’t sleep without you in my arms. This time tomorrow, you’ll be my wife.
Phoebe: You won’t be sleeping then either.
She sends a GIF of Steve Harvey wiggling his eyebrows, and I bark out a laugh.
Me: So you’re saying I should sleep now?
Phoebe: Yes. And hydrate and consider stretching.
Me: I love you.
Phoebe: I love you too. See you in the morning. It’s past midnight. Happy wedding day.
Me: Happy wedding day.
I put my phone down and roll to my side, closing my eyes and hoping sleep overtakes me until it’s time to meet Phoebe at the chapel.
* * *
Finally. It’s time. It’s a mild day for late March, which probably means there will be a blizzard next week.
I’d be okay with that now that I know the best way to spend time during one.
If I knew that the first time Phoebe and I were snowed in together, I wouldn’t have been in any rush to get us out of there.
I’m at the front of the old chapel with Finn by my side.
He joined me after walking Shelby down the aisle and settling her in the first pew.
Andie is Phoebe’s maid of honor, since we didn’t want Shelby standing during the ceremony.
Teagan’s Uncle Harry shakes my hand and tries to make small talk, but ends up chatting with Finn because I can’t concentrate on anything.
I keep glancing back at the closed doors of the chapel, waiting for them to open so I can see Phoebe.
My breath catches when they finally open, but it’s Andie who enters and walks down the short aisle, joining me and my brother at the front.
Colby is sitting in the front row, on the bride’s side, next to Shelby.
Not that there is a bride side or a groom side.
My teammates, family, and friends fill both sides of the aisle, supporting us both.
The doors open again, and this time my breath stops completely.
Phoebe is standing there with Jack, ready to walk down the aisle.
To me. To become my wife. Forever. They start their way down, and I can’t wait.
I take three strides to reach Phoebe, who’s stopped in surprise.
Cupping her face in my hands, I gently—but thoroughly—kiss her.
Our guests chuckle, and Uncle Harry says, “You normally save that for the end.”
Phoebe giggles as we walk hand in hand back to the front of the chapel and take our places. I can feel my ears turning red, and I wonder if Logan can fix that when he edits our wedding pictures.
“We have two very pregnant wedding guests,” I say, “and we always get interrupted. I’m not taking any chances.”
“Fair enough,” Uncle Harry says. He wiggles his bushy gray brows. “Let’s get started, shall we?”
I hope no one ever asks me what vows I said or anything else from our wedding.
I know I said stuff, and it must have been okay because Phoebe kept holding my hand and looking at me with such love in her eyes.
I slide the basic silver band on her ring finger and then replace her engagement ring.
I would have gladly purchased her diamonds or anything she wanted, but this is what she asked for.
The ring fits perfectly against her floral ring, like they were meant to go together.
I love the silver band she slides on my finger.
“You may kiss the bride. Again.”
And I do.