Bonus Epilogue #2
“Yeah, before these old men retire.” Jason gestures to me.
“Thinking about retirement?” someone else asks.
My stomach twists itself into a knot. “Eventually.”
It’s been on my mind ever since Cassidy showed me the positive pregnancy test. Hockey takes me away from her, which means it’ll take me away from our daughter.
I don’t want to miss the special moments while I’m on the road, and leave Cassidy alone—as much as she’s told me she’ll be fine.
Plus, I’m one of the oldest players in the NHL.
I didn’t want to get pushed out by my old team.
But now that it’s my decision, it feels like it’s the right time.
The lacrosse players jog onto the field, and everyone returns to their seats.
Alyssa takes her spot in the circle, crouching down as she holds her stick in position. The field is silent waiting for the first draw of the game.
The whistle blows.
Alyssa swings her stick and tosses the ball to her teammates, winning the draw and gaining possession of the ball.
McKinley and Chance jump to their feet, shouting, “Yeah, ‘Lyssa girl!” in unison.
“Twenty bucks says she scores in the first quarter,” McKinley says.
“Fifty bucks says she scores twice,” Chance fires back.
Presley scoffs. “Boys, we talked about this. No more betting against each other.”
Both of them pout like the children they are.
Sitting so close to the opposing team, I can hear parts of their conversations. Loudest of all is Ainsley.
“She must be the varsity coach,” I whisper to Cassidy. “Looks like Landon is on JV.”
Landon stands on the sidelines, pointing as he says something to Ainsley.
“I know how to coach my team, Fletcher,” she yells. “Back off.”
Landon shakes his head as he smiles, as if he’s enjoying every second being on the receiving end of her anger.
“Oh, boy,” Cassidy murmurs.
I arch a brow. “What?”
“She has absolutely no idea she’s going to marry him one day.”
Jason
“I need to talk to you guys.”
“Uh-oh.” Celeste’s head whips around, her red hair smacking her in the face. “Everyone’s either pregnant or just had a kid. What else could you possibly have to talk to us about?”
I chuckle as I smooth a hand down her back, trying to keep the mood light. “Let Trenton speak, kókkino.”
But judging by the way Trenton wrings his hands, keeping his eyes on his wife, this conversation is about to be anything but light.
We came back to Alexander’s house after the game. It’s big enough for the kids to run around in the backyard while us adults get some time to ourselves. It helps having Alyssa and Avery here to watch the littles.
“I think this season is going to be my last,” Trenton says.
My stomach clenches, but I don’t react. This moment isn’t about me, and how I feel.
McKinley, on the other hand, shoots up off the couch. “What? You can’t retire. Not yet.”
Presley tugs on his shirt, and brings him back down to sit.
Alexander leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He swings his gaze to me, and we share a knowing glance.
Athletes don’t just talk about retirement unless they’ve made up their minds. It isn’t an easy decision to make. I don’t know if you’re ever fully ready, per se. There will always be that part of you that wants to keep playing for the love of the game.
Trenton continues. “I’m a bit older than you guys, and I’ve been thinking about this for a while.
With Cassidy being pregnant, my priorities are changing.
I want to be here for her and for our family.
I hate being away, always on the road, always tired and sore.
” He pauses, and his throat bobs as he swallows.
“I know I wasn’t happy when I got traded to this team.
But you guys have become my family. I’ve had the best time being a Goldfinch, and that’s how I want to go out.
I’ll never be able to thank you for your friendship, and for the way you’ve supported me. ”
Tears sting the backs of my eyes, and Kourtney reaches out a hand for mine.
Trenton turns to Celeste. “You’ve been with me since the beginning, and I am so grateful for the way you’ve had my back all the way from Seattle across the country. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Celeste dabs at the corner of her eye. “Fuck, Ward. You’re not dying. You don’t need to make a speech.”
Light laughter ripples through the group. My strong woman hates crying, but has the biggest heart. I clasp her hand with my free hand, and give her a squeeze.
“If this is what you want,” I say, “then we fully support you. The team won’t be the same without you, but I get it. You’re on a different path now.”
If I had to choose between hockey and my wives, it’d be a no-brainer.
Cassidy holds up both palms. “And just so we’re clear, I told him not to retire because of me. I told him I’d be fine here with the baby because I have all of you to help me.”
“We wouldn’t blame you, Cass.” Trenton nudges her with his shoulder. “But you’re right; we’re all here to support you whenever you need it.”
Aarya reaches up and swipes the fallen tear from Alexander’s cheek. “Big softie,” she whispers.
Trenton glances at McKinley. “You good, Mac?”
He grumbles under his breath as he folds his arms over his chest. “No. But I get it.”
The wailing of a child sounds from across the yard, and all of our heads turn.
Aarya heaves a sigh as she pushes off the couch to stand. “Get ready for this, Ward. The sound of screaming children is in your future.”
He chuckles as he locks eyes with Cassidy. “I’m ready.”
We all sit down to dinner a little while later, and Trenton leans in as he whispers. “How do you feel about everything?”
My lips tug downward, but I force a smile. “You know I’m going to miss you, but I’m happy for you. This is the dream. Play hockey, have a family, and live a full life.”
It sucks for me, though I won’t tell him that.
Trenton and I became very close over the years.
The four of us are brothers, but like any large group of siblings, we’ve paired off with smaller relationships.
Alexander and McKinley are closer to each other, while Trenton and I are thick as thieves. I’ll miss having him around.
Trenton nods. “You know, we’re going to need to win the Stanley Cup one more time before I go.”
I shoot him a wink. “Then let’s make it happen, Ward.”
McKinley
4 months later
“I’m gonna miss a lot of things,” Trenton says, “but seeing your dick every day is not one of them.”
I shake my hips and swing my dick around like a propeller. “Don’t lie, Ward. You love seeing this dick.”
Jason tosses me a towel. “Get dressed. It’s almost time to go out there.”
I step into my lucky boxer-briefs. “Fuck, man. This is it. The last time we’ll be playing together.”
Trenton shakes his head. “Not now. Let’s focus on the game first.”
The game.
Game seven.
The Stanley Cup Final.
My heart thunders in my chest, quieting the noise of the arena above us. I glance around the locker room, taking it all in.
We’re about to win the Stanley Cup for the second time.
For the last time with Trenton as our goalie.
“Come on, Krum Cake.” I slap Alexander on the pads. “Let’s hear the great speech.”
Alexander smirks as he pushes off the bench and stands to his full height.
“Here we are again, boys.” He glances around the room.
“And it still feels like the first time. For some of us, it’ll be the last. Hell, maybe we’ll never win another cup again.
But all that matters is that we’re here now, together. ”
The team huddles in a circle, holding onto each other’s shoulders as our captain continues.
“Give it your best tonight. Your best has gotten you this far.” He smacks Trenton’s pads with his stick. “And let’s win this one for Ward. Protect your goalie!”
We all cheer.
I finish getting suited up, and then we’re on our way through the tunnel.
“You ready to go up against your husband?” Trenton asks.
I shoot him a grin, half-chewing on my mouth guard. “You kidding? We’ve been waiting for this day for years.”
Playing on rival teams hasn’t been ideal for our marriage, but it’s all we’ve ever known. Chance and I thrive on competition. It’s part of who we are. Who we’ve always been to each other. We play hard, and love harder.
Poor Presley. She’ll be split in half, cheering for the winner while consoling the other. It’s part of being in a threesome though. And I know she wouldn’t have it any other way.
The music blares as we skate onto the ice, circling around the left side of the arena while the crowd cheers. My eyes lock with Chance’s steely gaze from across the rink.
We glare at one another, adrenaline pumping through my veins just like I know it’s pumping through his. The corners of my mouth turn up into a sinister smirk.
My husband looks sexy as fuck in his uniform.
Too bad he’s going to lose tonight.