Page 51

CHAPTER

FIFTY

FORD

After practice, I rush home. Amber called me earlier and told me about her conversation with Theo’s mom, and now I feel a hundred pounds lighter.

I’m so anxious to be with my girls, and I came bearing gifts. Last time I gifted Amber something to wear, it worked out really, really well for me. So, I’ll buy her all the gifts she wants. Even though she never asked me to or expected it. But that just makes it more fun.

I find Amber and Nella in my walk-in closet—and it’s a disaster. Every red piece of clothing I own is on the floor. Nella is on a fluffy blanket on her tummy. She rolls now, and she’s been enjoying tummy time.

“Are you looking for more lingerie? Because I only purchased that black one.”

Amber gasps. “You scared me!” She rushes over and hugs me. “I’m looking for something to wear tonight.”

I grin. “Well, you’re in luck. I bought something for you both.”

Amber juts out a hip and pops her fist onto it. I know she’s trying to look sassy, but it just makes me want to take her to bed.

“Would you stop buying me stuff?”

“No.”

“Ford! This constant present thing is unfair, and until I start working at the salon next week, I won’t have money to buy presents for you.”

“I don’t want presents.” I shrug.

With a sigh, Amber picks Nella up off the floor and walks into our room, sitting down on the bed. “All right, what did you buy me now?”

I hold up the bag from the Eagles’ Fan Shop. “You and Nella.”

Her face lights up, and she looks at Nella like she understands what’s happening. “Did you hear that, baby girl? A present for you too!”

She smiles at her mom, and I hand over the bag.

Amber pulls out the long-sleeved red onesie with a giant number 10 on the front. A sparkly red tutu is attached to the waist, and it says “Remington” on the back.

“Stop! This is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” Amber’s eyes sparkle with what I hope are happy tears. She pulls the other item out of the bag and gasps. “Oh, my gosh. I had no idea they had such feminine sportswear!” Amber holds up a red satin jacket. It resembles a vintage baseball jacket and has white trim around the edges. There’s a white number 10 embroidered on the front pocket, and of course, my last name on the back. Which is also her last name.

She jumps up, handing me Nella, then pushing her arms through the sleeves and running into my closet. I follow her and find her spinning in front of the full-length mirror. “I’m never taking this off.”

I quirk a brow, and she laughs, then shoots me a wink .

“Don’t be mad, but there’s one more thing. Kind of a small accessory.”

Amber crosses her arms and glares at me. But it’s way more adorable than she probably realizes. “Fine, let’s have it.”

My heart speeds up, and my palms feel suddenly sweaty. I wipe my free hand on the front of my black joggers, then bend on one knee. Shuffling Nella in my arms, I reach for the box in my pocket, right next to my coin. I cradle Nella in one arm and hold out the box with the other.

Amber studies me, not knowing what to think. “Um, Ford. It’s a little late to propose. We’re already married.”

I chuckle at her words. “You’re right. But you have the wrong ring.”

Her mouth gapes open. “You didn’t.”

“I did.” I nod my head slowly. “This all started out as temporary…a temporary ring for a temporary marriage. But it’s forever now—I’m not letting you two go. Ever. And that requires a forever ring.”

I flip the box open with my thumb, and her hands go up to her face, covering her gaping mouth. Inside the box is the ornate, whimsical ring that she wanted so badly. The ring that was perfect for her. And there’s no way I’ll let her wear anything else on that pretty little finger.

“Tonight, everyone will know we’re married. And I couldn’t feel more honored that you’re my wife. But this is your ring, Ambs.”

She drops her hands and kneels in front of me. I’m sure we look ridiculous, both of us kneeling inside my closet, which looks like a tornado tore through it.

“You’re too good to me.”

“You deserve everything good, and I plan to remind you of that frequently.”

Amber leans in and kisses me softly before taking the box from my hand and slipping her old ring off and replacing it with the new one. It looks perfect on her hand, just like I knew it would.

“It’s gorgeous.” She kisses me again.

Nella fusses, arching her back to push away from me. Amber laughs and takes her daughter, snuggling her close. “Your daddy is so good to us, baby girl.”

Daddy . I like the sound of that. No, I love the sound of that.

We walk out of the closet together, and Amber turns to me. She narrows her eyes and asks, “If you’ve purchased any other over the top items for me, can you tell me now? I’m not sure I can handle any more surprises.”

I roll my lips with my teeth. I hadn’t planned on outing myself just yet.

“Ford Remington. What did you do?”

I scratch the tip of my nose, thinking of a way out of this conversation, knowing there isn’t one.

Amber sighs. “Out with it.”

I blow out a breath. “You know the salon?”

Her eyes widen, looking like they might fall right out of her head. “Ford.”

“It has a new silent owner.”

“Ford!”

That night, when we skate onto the ice for pre-game warmup, all the nerves I feel at facing the Atlanta Cyclones—one of our toughest competitors—fades away.

Because my eyes shoot straight to the area behind our net where the families always sit. Every game I see Mel, Andie and her little brother, Noah, and even Noel. But the way my heart pounds when I see my family there…it’s unreal .

My girls are dressed in my number—and my name. Amber is wearing my ring—I can see it twinkling in the overhead lights. She beams when she sees me, and she makes Nella’s hand come up in a wave. Amber’s hair is done in bubble braids, which I know the name of because she tried them on Nella last week, but her hair wasn’t long enough.

I blow them each a kiss and notice the cameraman behind the glass snapping photos furiously. Amber acts like she’s going to kiss the glass and I laugh. Martie, the social media manager who takes all the photos during our games, is eating this up.

As odd as it might seem to me, fans will go wild when they learn their team captain is married. Fans feel a certain amount of camaraderie with us, even following our wives or girlfriends on social media, wanting an inside look at our lives.

And the knowledge that tonight, everyone in the world will know that Amber is mine makes my chest puff out. Just a little.

I stare into Amber’s eyes, and she smiles a secret smile.

A smile that promises a lifetime of love.

And I smile right back.