Epilogue
KATE
SIX MONTHS LATER…
Istood in the doorway of our house—yes, officially our house now—and marveled at the beautiful chaos-meets-order vibe we'd created. We moved back into Austin’s sleek, ridiculously fancy place after he finished his recovery.
The team condo had been temporary. This? This was ours.
His trophies still lined the shelves, but now they shared space with my scattered research papers, a framed lab photo Angel sent us as a joke, and a fridge covered in sarcastic magnets, sticky notes featuring our favorite inside jokes, and very unofficial rankings of takeout spots.
For a long time, I believed that if anyone saw all of me—my chaos, my ambition, the parts I tried to hide—they’d decide I was too much to love.
But Austin never flinched. He stayed and made space for all of me. He challenged me, supported me, and loved me without asking me to be anything less than exactly who I am. And in that space, something unexpected happened.
I let go.
And somehow, I fell into the safest, most extraordinary kind of love.
“Welcome home, Chaos,” he called down the hall. “Come kiss me hello and save me from this tie situation—I think I’ve accidentally invented a new knot that defies both physics and fashion.”
I grinned, dropping my bag on our designated "dump spot" by the door. Once upon a time, he would have twitched if I'd left anything out of place. Now we have an actual area dedicated to my tendency to drop things.
"Coming, Mr. Can't-Tie-A-Tie-Without-Me," I teased, walking into our bedroom.
Austin stood in front of the mirror, his broad shoulders filling out his tailored tux like temptation in fabric form, the tie loosely slung from his neck. My body responded immediately to the sight of him, a Pavlovian reaction that hadn't diminished one bit since we'd been together.
"I can tie a tie just fine," he smirked, his blue eyes finding mine in the mirror. "I just wanted an excuse to get your hands on me."
"Smooth talker." I moved in front of him, taking the black silk tie from his hands. "Nervous about tonight?"
He exhaled heavily. "A little. Public speaking isn't exactly in my comfort zone, especially to a room full of scientists and doctors."
"Says the man who gives post-game interviews to millions of viewers." I looped the tie around his neck, my fingers brushing against his warm skin.
"That's different. I know what to say after a game. 'We gave 110%' and 'It was a team effort' pretty much covers it."
I laughed, finishing the perfect Windsor knot. "You're going to be amazing. These people already admire you—the hockey star who helped fund a research wing for sports medicine."
Austin captured my hands before I could step away. "They admire us. This MedEdge campaign has your name on it too, Dr. Ellis."
The reminder sent a warm flush through me.
Six months since we'd signed the joint endorsement deal, and I still couldn't believe how perfectly it had worked out.
The research funding had allowed me to finally get approval for my own lab, while Austin had returned to the ice better than ever, now wearing an 'A' on his jersey as alternate captain.
"Speaking of which," I said, smoothing my hands down his chest, "I got the final numbers today. Our bacterial resistance research grant has been fully funded for the next three years."
His face lit up. "Kate, that's incredible!"
"I know!" I squealed, momentarily forgetting my sophisticated gala attire as I jumped up and down. "Three years of uninterrupted research funding! Do you know how rare that is?"
Austin lifted me off my feet in a bear hug, spinning me around once before setting me down. "I'm so fucking proud of you."
His lips found mine in a kiss that started sweet but quickly turned hungry. His hands slid down my back, cupping my ass through the silky, backless black gown that had earned me his undivided attention from the second I walked in.
"Austin," I gasped against his mouth. "We have thirty minutes before the car arrives."
"I only need ten," he growled, nipping at my lower lip.
"Cocky bastard," I laughed, but I was already reaching for his belt.
"You love it." His fingers found the zipper of my dress, slowly lowering it. "And if I remember correctly, you specifically requested a quickie before public appearances to help with your anxiety."
"I did not phrase it like that," I protested weakly as his lips trailed down my neck.
"Something about endorphins and stress reduction?" His hand slipped inside my now loosened dress, finding my breast. "I'm just being a supportive boyfriend."
"Such sacrifice," I moaned as his thumb brushed over my nipple. "But if you mess up my hair, I swear to god—"
"Challenge accepted," Austin whispered, his eyes darkening as he backed me toward the bed.
Somehow we made it to the charity gala with five minutes to spare. My hair was only slightly disheveled—a minor miracle considering how Austin's fingers had tangled in it while I'd ridden him to a mutual climax that left us both gasping.
"Stop thinking about it," Austin murmured in my ear as we entered the grand ballroom of the Minneapolis Hilton.
"Thinking about what?" I asked innocently, though the slight throb between my thighs was a constant reminder.
"About how you came so hard you nearly broke my zipper when you collapsed on top of me." His voice was low enough that only I could hear, but my cheeks flamed anyway.
"You're terrible," I hissed, smacking his arm lightly. "I'm about to meet the head of the National Institutes of Health, and now all I can think about is your cock."
He grinned, the expression transforming his usually serious face. "Mission accomplished."
"Dr. Ellis! Mr. Callahan!" A photographer appeared, camera raised. "Could we get a quick photo for the Science Today website?"
Austin's arm slid around my waist as we posed, his body a solid anchor beside me. Before, I would have panicked at the attention. Now it felt almost normal—almost.
"There's Dr. Barnes," I said, spotting my mentor across the room. "I want to introduce you properly."
We made our way through the crowd, stopping frequently as people congratulated both of us—Austin for his team's playoff run and me for my recently published research.
"Katherine," Dr. Barnes greeted me with her customary formality, though her eyes held genuine warmth. "And the famous Mr. Callahan. Pleased to finally meet the man who has my star researcher leaving the lab at reasonable hours."
Austin shook her hand. "The pleasure's mine, Dr. Barnes. Kate speaks very highly of you."
"She should. I've been pushing her toward greatness since she arrived." Dr. Barnes turned to me. "The Dean is quite impressed with the funding you've secured. Your lab expansion has been approved."
I squeezed Austin's hand so hard he winced. "Really? Even the additional clean room?"
"All of it. Construction begins next month."
I could have screamed with joy. Instead, I maintained professional composure—barely. "Thank you for your support. I couldn't have done it without your guidance."
"And your hockey player's connections," she added with uncharacteristic humor. "Science and sports make surprisingly effective allies."
After she moved on, Austin pulled me behind a massive floral arrangement. "Did I just witness the great Dr. Barnes cracking a joke?"
"I know! I think she might actually be human." I couldn't stop grinning. "My own lab, Austin. My name on the door."
"You deserve every bit of it." His eyes softened. "Ready to watch me stumble through my speech?"
The announcement came shortly after, calling Austin to the podium. I watched with my heart in my throat as he took the stage, looking simultaneously terrified and determined.
"Good evening," he began, his deep voice steady despite his nerves. "I'm better with a hockey stick than a microphone, so bear with me."
The audience chuckled appreciatively.
"A year ago, I thought my career might be over. A knee injury had sidelined me, and recovery seemed impossible." His eyes found mine in the crowd. "Then I met Kate Ellis—brilliant scientist, chaotic roommate, and the woman who changed everything."
My eyes welled up as he continued, describing how my "brilliant chaos" had transformed not just his recovery but his entire perspective.
"What I've learned from Kate is that sometimes the most incompatible elements create the perfect reaction. She organized my recovery while I ordered her sock drawer. She taught me about bacterial resistance while I showed her how to defend against a forecheck."
The audience laughed, and I brushed away a tear.
"That's why this research wing means so much to me—because it bridges our worlds. Athletes need science, and sometimes scientists need a little reminder to get out of the lab." His smile widened. "Even if it's just to yell at a referee who clearly doesn't understand the offside rule."
As Austin stepped offstage, a familiar cheer rose from the back of the room—his teammates.
Dennis and a few of the guys surged toward him, clapping him on the back and heckling him in true locker-room fashion.
“Speech was decent, but I didn’t hear a single F-bomb. Who even are you anymore?” one of them called.
“Stone’s been domesticated,” Dennis added, smiling.
Austin took it all in stride, laughing as he flipped them off affectionately and said something that made them groan and burst out laughing again.
Watching him in the middle of it—smiling, relaxed, in sync with the people who knew him best—I felt a quiet swell of pride. This wasn’t just about his comeback on the ice. He’d reclaimed every part of who he was.
Then he turned to me, eyes locking with mine like I was the only thing in the room.
"That was perfect," I whispered, leaning into his side.
"I have one more thing." He took my hand, leading me toward a quiet alcove away from the crowd.
"What—" I started, but stopped when he dropped to one knee. "Austin..."
"Kate Ellis, brilliant chaos creator," he said, pulling a small box from his pocket. "You've reorganized my life in the best possible way."
He opened the box to reveal not just a stunning diamond ring, but a tiny replica petri dish next to it with bacterial cultures forming the word "YES?"
I burst out laughing through my tears. "You made me a bacteria proposal?"
"Technically, the lab helped. So? What's your answer?"
"Fucking yes," I said, throwing my arms around his neck as he stood. "A million times yes."
As he slid the ring onto my finger, he leaned in close to my ear. "I can't wait to get you home and celebrate properly. I'm going to fuck you until you scream my name so loud the neighbors file another complaint."
I shivered against him. "Promise?"
"Scientific fucking guarantee," he growled. "The dress comes off the minute we're through that door."
He pulled back just enough to look at me, his thumb brushing across my cheek. "Who would have thought a wrong number text would lead to this?"
I smiled, heart full. "Best mistake I ever made."
Austin captured my mouth in a kiss that promised everything.
Sometimes, the most beautiful results truly do come from the most unexpected experiments.
Thanks for reading Pucking My Grumpy Roommate!