Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
EVAN
It had been a grueling couple of weeks with travelling to and from Florida for the series, team meetings, staying on a strict nutrition regimen, and making sure my body was in top shape.
But at each home game, I looked up into Ronan’s suite, and he was always there, his gorgeous dark hair and eyes beaming down on me.
With his grueling recording schedule, the only other times I’d seen him was for quick lunches by the studio in Mesa.
When this finished, I eagerly anticipated time alone with him again.
I hadn’t heard from my father yet, but Mom had assured me he was coming around. I didn’t have time for that shit. Maybe he understood I needed to leave it until these games were over. I didn’t know. But I already had everything I ever wanted.
Tonight was the night. We’d tied Florida in games, and whoever won this game would get the Cup. I’d played enough in these playoffs to have my name on the damn thing. Maybe then Dad would cut me some slack.
The score was tied as the clock ticked down through the third period, and our star forwards rampaged to score a goal. Hopkins and Jarvis ate up the ice, and it was only a matter of time before they got through.
The shift changed, and I bumped my gloves on Lucas’s and Archer’s as I took to the ice with Laine. I glanced into the luxury suite.
Ronan stood, waving down at me.
I ticked my head at him and skated toward Ace and our net. With Ronan watching, I felt invincible. Hopkins and Jarvis would play the extra minute before shifting out.
As the Florida center snatched the puck from Jarvis, Hopkins growled and barreled after him.
When the Florida center veered toward the edge of the rink, I swung around the side and hit him hard, smashing him into the boards.
The puck sprang free, and I shot it at Hopkins. “Go, man! End this.” I glanced at the clock. There was less than a minute remaining. None of us wanted overtime.
Hopkins raced with the puck down the ice, tossing it to Volkov, and then as they reached Florida’s net, Volkov passed the puck behind him to Jarvis while Hopkins faked a shot.
The goalie spun toward Hopkins.
Jarvis pushed the puck in behind the goalie’s skate as he spread his leg blockers across the crease.
The horn blew just as the clock ticked to zero, and I stopped, staring at the red light on the net. “What the fuck?”
“We did it!” Hopping on his skates, Laine grabbed my shoulders. “We fucking did it! The Cup is ours!”
“Pull your head out of your ass, Crosby.” Ace skated to me, grabbed me up, lifted me off the ice and spun me around. “You’re officially a winner of the Stanley Cup and you fucking deserved this.” He sat me down.
I stared at him. Was this really happening? Hell, this spring, I’d gone from meeting a rock star in a dark bar who became the love of my life, to playing my best and winning the Cup?
“Dude, are you okay?” Lucas waved his ungloved hand in front of my face.
“I’m…holy fuck.” As my heart soared, I jumped up and down, throwing off my gloves and my helmet. “We did it!”
We all collided, hopping around and slapping each other. As they brought the Cup onto the ice, Sudden by Vanta Crown played over the loudspeakers, and friends and family poured onto the rink.
My gaze locked on Ronan’s as he stood in the crowd, wearing my jersey, his hands in his pockets and a coy grin on his stunning face.
“Babe, we won!” I skated toward him, wrapped him in a bear hug and then said, “I love you so fucking much.” I kissed his cheek, his chin, and then our lips joined, and he clutched my cheeks, holding on as if he’d never let me go.
As he broke the kiss but still held my face, he said, “Your father’s here.” He beamed at me.
“He what?” I looked past Ronan as Mom, Dad, and my little brother stepped toward me.
“I flew them out.” He shrugged. “You know, Lily has amazing connections, and we had extra space in the suite.” His smile reached his eyes. “Your family is so nice. We had a great chat while watching the game.”
As my vision blurred and emotion swirled in my heart, I said, “Holy fuck, Ronan. You are amazing, you know that?”
“Maybe.” He stepped to my side and hooked an arm around my waist.
As I raked my fingers through my wet hair, I said, “Mom.”
After letting me kiss her cheek, she said, “I’m so proud of you, son. And this young man.” She brushed her hand down Ronan’s arm. “He’s a keeper.”
“I second that.” Dad stepped close. “I’m sorry I behaved like such a jackass when you needed me, son.” His gaze grew glassy. “I hope you can forgive me.”
I side-hugged Dad. Fuck, after what Ronan’s father did to him? My dad was a saint. “I forgive you. But first, admit how wrong you were about my hockey skills and how amazing I—”
“Don’t push it. Your gap control could use some work.” He chuckled and squeezed my hand. “Seriously, I’ve never seen you play so well.”
“Dude, that game was iconic.” Turner gave me a high-five. “And Ronan Vale is your boyfriend? How did you get so tough?”
I arched a brow. “I just am.” I brushed my fingernails on my jersey.
“Here, your turn.” Lucas skated to me, holding the Cup over his head.
“Oh, damn.” I grabbed it from him. “Be right back. Don’t go anywhere.
” As I skated around the rink with the Cup, the crowd roared, and players slapped my ass.
I’d thought I had everything I ever wanted.
I’d been wrong. I glanced back at Ronan, chatting with my family while my parents smiled at him. Now, I had it all.