Epilogue
Jacob
One Year Later
Watching Becca across the room, I see her pulling her bottom lip. Tonight is the NHL draft, and the entire town has gathered at Moretti’s to support Steven.
Walking up behind her, I let my hands slide around her waist and rest my chin on her shoulder. Her pink cashmere sweater soft against my skin. “How you doing, Becs?”
“So nervous. My baby could be going anywhere in the country.” She grips my forearms and sighs. “Is it wrong of me to hope that he gets drafted by the local team?”
Laughter rumbles through my chest, and I gently place a kiss on her neck. Relishing in her sweet, earthy scent. “It’s not wrong at all for you to want to keep your son close. But the Wolverines already had their draft pick, so that’s not likely.”
“You mean he won’t get skipped and end up in the second round?”
This time, the laugh flies out of me, and I can feel Becca’s brows furrowing. “Darlin’, if I could make that happen for you, I would, but it’s very unlikely.”
He’s going in the first round, and most likely to the Florida Panthers.
They’ve talked to both Duncan, me, and his college coach, asking about his work ethic and personality in general.
They like what they’ve seen, especially since Steven decided to skip the draft last year and played a year in college.
The extra time has given him an opportunity to fine-tune all the challenges we worked on, and he’s impressive. I expect him to be breaking records.
The Panthers have a good organization, and it will be a great place for him to land. Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner, introduces the General Manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and silence descends around the room.
Becca takes a deep inhale and holds it. Her heart’s banging against her ribcage, and she’s chewing on her bottom lip again. All eyes are glued to the screen, and you could hear a pin drop. When Steven’s name isn’t called, nervous chatter fills the room.
Becca exhales and covers her eyes. “I don’t think I can do this. What if he doesn’t get picked?”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” I say, turning her around and pulling her into my arms. “He’s definitely getting drafted. It just may not be tonight.”
Her head pulls back, and her eyes are wide. “I can’t do this for more than one night.”
“How did you do this for Wyatt and Miles?” I chuckle.
“She was a mess, both times,” Miles says from next to me, grinning. “It was pretty funny to watch.”
“Dad had a very hard time keeping a serious face for her,” Wyatt snickers. “He tried, he really did.”
Becca stretches an arm out and tries to smack each of them. “That’s because the three of you were making fun of me the entire time.”
The gleam in Wyatt’s and Miles’ eyes as they tease their mom is something I’ve come to enjoy watching. They guard her like a hawk from the world, but tease her mercilessly. It reminds me so much of how John was with her when they were younger.
Over the past year, I’ve gotten to know and respect Becca’s boys.
They’re amazing humans, and I’m so honored they’ve allowed me into their lives.
It’s still very clear that they will leave me on the side of the road, in the middle of winter, with no shoes or coat if I hurt their mother, but strangely, that makes me respect them all the more.
The volume in the room increases as everyone’s nerves are a bit taut with anticipation. A finger whistle immediately silences everyone, and I look to see Scarlett raising her arms as if to say ‘what the heck’ before pointing at the TV screen.
Steven slides his arm casually over her shoulder and whispers something to her, and she gasps, a gleam in her eye as she elbows him. Steven wraps his arms around his waist and bends over, pretending to be injured.
“Have those two kissed yet?” Wyatt asks Miles.
“Nope,” the people around him respond, causing everyone to laugh out loud, only to earn a glare from Scarlett.
Making the four of us snicker.
Billy Dally, the deputy commissioner of the NHL, introduces the Panthers' General Manager, and a flutter of excitement moves through me. I remember what it felt like to be drafted. It was exciting, overwhelming, and surreal. This could be Steven’s moment.
Becca starts chewing on her bottom lip again, and the corner of my mouth pulls up just as I feel her reaching for my hand. Instead of taking it, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her close, picking up that hand with my other hand.
Pulling her tight against me, I kiss the top of her head.
Silence falls over Moretti’s as everyone holds their breath. “And the Florida Panthers pick Steven Bennett—”
The room breaks out in screams as Wyatt and Miles fly over to their brother, who is currently spinning Scarlett around, and wrap him up in a massive hug.
Becca throws herself against me while jumping up and down, yelling. “Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh,” before she starts crying.
“Becs,” I cup her face in my hands and wipe the tears streaming down her face. She’s shaking her head.
“I’m happy,” she sobs. “Really, I am. I just know Caleb would’ve loved to have been here for this.”
Steven runs over to his mom, picks her up, and spins her around before pulling her close. His eyes are glassy. Wyatt and Miles join in the hugging, and I feel the back of my eyes sting at the sight.
“Are you still going to ask?” John wraps an arm around my shoulder.
“Yes, but I’m not sure tonight is the best time.”
“Maybe not right this moment, but a little later.” He slaps my chest. “Everyone’s here. Steven already said he’s good with it. Tonight is the perfect time.”
Slipping my hand into my front jean pocket, I feel the ring that’s resting there.
I had planned to ask Becca to marry me tonight.
I talked with all three boys individually and double-checked with Steven, because this is his night and I didn’t want to steal the thunder from him, but I also know how quickly all of this moves once you’ve been drafted.
As if reading my mind, Steven catches my gaze over his mom’s head and nods. A lump lodges in my throat, and I gulp as I dip my chin in return.
“Mom,” Steven says loudly for everyone to hear, and my brows shoot up.
I thought I was waiting until after everything settled down, guess that’s not the plan anymore. I reach into my pocket, pull out the ring, and get down on one knee. My heart’s ramming against my chest as all eyes turn to stare at me.
“I think J.T. wants to ask you something.”
“Pffft. Whatever he has to ask me is not as exciting as you getting drafted, I’m sure.”
The entire room hoots and hollers. Heat creeps up my neck, and a finger tugs at the collar that suddenly feels too tight.
Becca looks around at everyone before turning to where I was standing, but am now kneeling. Her hands fly up to her face, and her eyes turn into saucers before she throws herself at me, taking me to the ground.
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” She screeches, cupping my face and planting her lips on mine.
Laughter erupts around us, and I hear someone shout. “Is that how you kiss your future wife, J.T.?”
Snapping out of my shock, I wrap my arms around Becca’s waist, pulling her close, keeping the hand that’s holding the ring in a tight fist.
I’m not sure how long we’re there before I hear someone say. “I’m not sure we mopped the floor last night.”
Laughter rumbles between us as we join in with the room’s cackles.
“Are you sure you want to marry me, Becs?”
“Nah, I just thought I’d make a scene and throw myself at you.” She bites her bottom lip, as her cheeks pull up and her nose does the most adorable scrunch.
“Well, it wouldn’t be the first time,” I tease, thinking about the time years ago, when I asked her to be my girlfriend.
“And it won’t be the last…”
Moving my hands up to the side of her face, I pull her toward me and kiss her in front of the entire town.
Read Chapter One of Duncan and Ava's story—Scarlett shows up right away—on the next page now.