Page 57

epilogue

DECLAN

3 MONTHS LATER

“I’m shocked to see you here,” I say, watching Finn approach me. My retirement party is fairly small, consisting only of my team and a select few others, including my parents. Willa told me she invited Finn, but I didn’t think he would fly all the way out here for it.

“Willa told me what winning the cup meant for you,” he says without greeting. “I suspect it’s much more than the explanation she gave.”

I shrug and hand him a beer from the cooler by my feet.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

I look at the giant Viking of a man who is always serious and keeps his emotions locked down. He looks hurt. I’ve never seen him look anything other than angry or annoyed.

“It was hard with the distance. Especially because I wasn’t sure anything could be said over the phone.”

“You should have told me before the series,” Finn says, his usual angry expression back on his face.

“Why? What were you going to do? Throw the game?” I ask, chuckling at the absurdity of it all.

Finn holds my stare, and I choke on my beer.

“I wouldn’t have let you throw the game, Finn! You can’t be serious!”

“You think hockey means more to me than you?” he asks, his eyes showing the fierceness there that is usually only seen when he’s in the net.

I honestly thought hockey meant more to him than I did, but I don’t voice that. I just swallow the emotions that became thick in my throat.

“Thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t mention it.”

Finn nods. “Do a better job of keeping in touch. You’re unemployed. You have time.”

I bark out a laugh as he walks away to mingle with the other goalies in attendance.

“He’s a weird guy,” Gideon says, coming to stand next to me.

“Aren’t most goalies?”

He snorts. “You’re not wrong.”

I take a sip of my beer, trying to let my shoulders relax. Everything since the moment I woke up in the hospital has been a mixture of stressful and relaxed. It’s making my head spin. On the one hand, I’m alive, my team won the cup, I have the most amazing wife, and we’ve been assured by Sinclair that Eva won’t be a problem.

On the other hand, my best friend is a fucking liar. He lied to my face for months, even after he found out everything that was going on. And I’m honestly not convinced he didn’t know at least some of it.

Willa and I are better than ever, but the moment we step out of our bubble and interact with our friends, everything is awkward. It makes me want to squirrel her away into our house and never leave again.

She says I can’t do that.

I’m going to keep trying, anyway.

“Dec. A package was just delivered for you,” Willa says. “It’s giant and still at the front door.”

I look at Gideon like he’ll have an explanation, which he obviously doesn’t. He just shrugs and grabs himself another beer.

“Come on,” Willa says, grabbing my hand and pulling me through our backyard and to the front of the house. “I want to know what it is.”

I laugh and let her tug me behind her. Once we get to the front of the house, I see the large, rectangular box propped up against the front door.

“I didn’t order anything,” I say, frowning at the box. The label on it only has my name and address, no return address.

“Open it,” Willa says, leaning around me to look at the label. “Maybe it’s a retirement gift.”

“It’s heavy and awkward,” I complain, carrying it into the house and laying it down on the dining room table.

“Here.” Willa hands me a kitchen knife, and I quickly cut the tape on the box.

There’s a note lying on top of something wrapped in bubble wrap. I pick it up and read it out loud.

Declan,

I’ve had this for a while, always intending on gifting it to you. I’m sorry I broke your trust. You’ve been nothing but a great friend to me. When you’re ready, I’d like the opportunity to talk. To tell you my story.

Congratulations on the retirement.

Ben

“Why?” I ask, not sure what part I’m even questioning right now.

Willa shrugs. “Open it and see what he sent you.”

I do as she asks, hearing her gasp before I process what I’m looking at.

It’s a picture he took during one of my games. I don’t know how he managed to get that angle, but I’m speechless.

It’s a picture of Willa and me, our foreheads leaning against the glass. You can see us clearly from each side with the thick glass in the middle. It’s like he had his lens right up against the glass from an open door. Our eyes are shut, and we’re both smiling.

“This is the best picture I’ve ever seen. We have to hang it up immediately.”

“Where?” I ask her, not disagreeing.

She looks around and then points to the staircase. The wall there is blank and looks like it might be the exact right size. It’s already framed, so I don’t have to do that first.

Slava and Rogers end up having to help me, but we get the picture hung exactly where Willa wants it.

“Fuck, man. Do you think I can get him to do that same pose with me and Maggie?” Gideon asks. No one knows about Ben. I may be angry with him, but it’s not my secret to tell.

I shrug. “Maybe.”

“Are you going to talk to him?” Willa asks, wrapping her arms around my waist and snuggling into my side. I put my arms around her and hold her close.

“Probably. Just not yet.”

“Whenever you’re ready, I’m sure he’ll be there,” she says, leaning up on her toes to kiss me. “Let’s get back to your guests so we can keep celebrating you.”

“I’d rather take you upstairs and celebrate you,” I tell her, deepening the kiss.

A throat clears next to me. “That’s it!” I yell. “We’re going away. I don’t care where. Just that we’re alone!” I grab Willa and throw her over my shoulder, taking the stairs up to the bedroom and slamming the door behind me. Willa is giggling as I stalk her. She backs up until she hits the bed.

“That was Coach Jones,” she says, laughing some more.

“I don’t care. I’m tired of everyone interrupting me when I’m trying to kiss my damn wife.”

“We’re not having sex with a house full of people.”

“But,” I start to argue.

“They all know I belong to you. They don’t need to hear me screaming your name to prove it.”

“I disagree.”

“Do you really want all your ex-teammates and friends knowing what your wife sounds like when she comes?” Willa asks, raising her eyebrows in challenge.

“Well. . .no.”

“You know who else would hear it? Your parents.”

“Motherfucker,” I mutter under my breath, and take a seat next to her on the edge of the bed.

“But it sounds like my retirement gift to you might be perfect,” she says, her voice losing the teasing note it just had. She hands me a white envelope that she pulls from her back pocket. I open it and smile.

“Thank you, Princess,” I say and kiss her. “When can we leave?” She rented out a cabin for two weeks at the campground where we met all those years ago.

“Tomorrow morning,” she says, going in for another kiss, but I’m already up and in our closet. “What are you doing?” she calls after me.

“Packing!”

I hear her laugh and smile to myself. That sound is worth everything.

We have so much waiting for us at home. A whole mess on top of figuring out the future of our careers. Patrick is still out there somewhere. He hasn’t been seen or heard from since the night he attacked me. The band isn’t sure if they want to sign on for another album and tour. I haven’t figured out what direction I want to go from here now that I’ve hung my skates.

As if sensing all the thoughts running through my head, Willa wraps her arms around me. My head is loud with all the questions and unknowns, but all the noise fades away when I’m in Willa’s arms. Which is where I’ll stay.

Forever.