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Chapter Twenty-Four

Logan

S eattle want you. Seattle want you. Seattle want you.

The words keep circling inside my head. The way Big Mike said it, so casually, like I should have been excited, should have been expecting it.

I never expected it.

Any of this.

The Players' Lounge hums with the kind of satisfied energy that follows a successful event. Half the team's sprawled across the leather couches, still riding the high of Arena Experience Day, while the other half clusters around the pool table, chirping each other about missed shots.

I lean against the windows overlooking the practice rink, watching Emma work the room like she was born for this.

She's got Sophia's tablet in her hands, scrolling through photos from today's event, her face lit up with the kind of joy I haven't seen since... fuck, maybe ever.

She's stunning. Never looked better.

"Kane, you listening?" Connor appears at my elbow, beer in hand. "I said the kids couldn't stop talking about your reading voice. Who knew Big Bad Logan had a secret talent for children's literature?"

I grunt, taking a swig from my own bottle. "It's nothing. Kids are easy. They don't judge."

"Unlike bitter hockey fans," Ryder chimes in, still wearing his Iron Ridge Veterinary shirt from his own workshop with Mia today. "But seriously, man, you were killing it. That gap-toothed kid asked for your autograph like five times."

Blake settles into the armchair across from us, looking every inch the proud captain. "Good work today. All of you. That event was exactly what this team needed before the season starts."

The After Party moves around the team, and soon, Sophia's voice cuts through the chatter, pitched to carry across the entire room.

"Attention everyone! I have an announcement!"

The room falls quiet, all eyes turning to where she stands near the coffee station, tablet clutched to her chest like a shield.

My eyes find Emma's across the room. She's standing near the coffee station, a cinnamon stick twirling between her fingers. When our gazes lock, her lips curve into that smile—the one that makes my chest ache in ways I never thought possible.

I smile back, ignoring the knot in my stomach.

Sophia's voice fills the room, something about engagement numbers and social media success, but her words blur together. All I can think about is that damn meeting with Big Mike tomorrow.

Seattle wants you.

Three simple words that could tear everything apart.

My life is here now. Not just hockey now though. Emma. The shop. This fucking town that somehow became home when I wasn't looking.

Does Big Mike even realize what he's asking? Or does he think I'm just another player who'll pack his bags and follow the money?

Emma's nodding along to whatever Sophia's saying, her silky hair catching the light. She looks happy, proud of what we built today. What we're building together.

Shit.

All afternoon, one thought has dominated my mind: do I even have a choice in this? Contracts are contracts. If the front office wants to move me, they will move me. Simple.

But for the first time in my career, the thought of leaving makes me feel like I'm drowning.

Emma glances my way again, her brow furrowing slightly when she notices my expression. She mouths, "You okay?"

I nod, forcing my face to relax.

I'm not okay. I'm terrified. Not of Seattle. Not of a new team.

I'm terrified of losing her.

"I've just finished reviewing all the data from today's events," Sophia continues, and I force myself to focus for a moment. "And I'm pleased to say that Emma and Logan are officially leading the community engagement metrics by a significant margin!"

A loud cheer goes up from the guys. Connor whistles. Ryder whoops loud enough to wake the dead.

But all I can focus on is Emma's face. The way her eyes go wide, her hand flying to cover her mouth like she can't quite believe it.

"Of course, the final decision will be announced to the public tomorrow morning," Sophia continues, "but between you and me..." She grins, looking directly at Emma. "Emma Carter, get ready. I think Chapter & Grind is about to get a major upgrade!"

More cheers fill the Player's Lounge. Blake claps me on the shoulder and shakes my hand. Across the room, Lucy practically tackles Emma in a hug that sends them both stumbling.

After gathering her balance, Emma catches my eye across the room, and her smile is so bright it could power the entire arena.

This is it. This is her moment.

Everything she's worked for, everything she's dreamed of, it's finally happening.

And here I am, standing in the shadows, trying to be as proud as I can be while my own world crashes down around me.

"Guess that calls for champagne," Natalie announces, already popping the cork on a bottle.

Within minutes, everyone's got a glass in hand, toasting Emma's success. She moves through the crowd, accepting congratulations, her cheeks flushed with wine and victory.

I watch her from across the room. She deserves this. God, she deserves this and so much more.

The woman who works eighteen-hour days, who remembers every customer's order, who pours her heart into every detail of that café… She's finally getting recognized for it.

So why does it feel like my chest is caving in?

An hour later, the celebration's still going strong, but I can't take it anymore. The forced smiles, the congratulations that feel like condolences, the way my teammates are trying too hard to act like tomorrow doesn't exist.

I catch Emma's arm as she passes, pulling her aside.

"Come with me," I murmur against her ear.

She raises an eyebrow. "Where?"

"Just... okay?"

"Logan, I should probably—"

"Emma." I lean closer, letting my voice drop to that rough whisper I know does things to her. "You crushed it today. You were fucking amazing. And I need to show you exactly how amazing."

Before it's too late.

Her breath hitches, pupils dilating as she senses my unease. "Alright, just give me a second."

"Storage room. Five minutes."

I don't wait for an answer. I head toward the back of the lounge, past the recovery zones and equipment storage, knowing she'll follow. The storage room is tucked behind the massage area, small and dark and perfect for what I have in mind.

A few minutes pass before Emma slips in behind me, closing the door behind her.

"Logan, what are you—"

I cut her off with my mouth, pressing her back against the door, my hands fisting in that soft green sweater that made me crazy all day. She tastes like champagne and victory, and I'm addicted to both.

"You were incredible today," I murmur against her lips, trailing kisses down her neck. "Watching you glow, seeing you own that space... Christ, Emma. I've never been more in love with anything before."

Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer. "Logan! Oh wow!"

I press Emma harder against the door, my hands everywhere at once. Her skin, her hair, the curve of her hip… I can't get enough.

Every touch feels like I'm memorizing her, like I'm trying to burn the feel of her into my skin once and for all.

"Logan, what's gotten into you?" she gasps, but she's not complaining. Her fingers curl into my shirt, pulling me closer.

"You," I growl against her neck. "You've gotten into me."

All the frustration, all the fear about Seattle, about leaving her. I channel it into this moment. Into us.

I lift her, pinning her against the wall, and she wraps her legs around my waist. The little sound she makes drives me wild and a low growl sounds more animal than human when it leaves the back of my throat.

"Logan. We shouldn't—not here," she whispers, but her body tells a different story.

"Tell me to stop then." I drag my teeth along her collarbone, feeling her shiver. "Tell me, Emma. And I will."

Her answer is to pull my face back to hers, kissing me with a hunger that matches my own. My hands slide under her sweater, finding warm skin, and she moans into my mouth.

"You were incredible today," I murmur between kisses. "Watching you, seeing how everyone responded to you... God, Emma."

I'm spiraling, losing myself in her, and it feels like the only thing that makes sense right now. The trade talks, the uncertainty… None of it matters when I'm touching her. When she's looking at me like I'm everything she's ever wanted.

I kiss her harder, deeper, trying to show her what I can't say.

That I'm terrified of losing this. That I'm terrified of losing her.

"Logan," she breathes my name, her fingers tangling in my hair. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Not when I'm with you." I shake my head, not wanting to ruin this moment with words. "You're going to get that café, baby."

"We are," she corrects breathlessly. " We're going to get it."

The statement lands like a puck to the fucking forehead.

Because there might not be a ' we ' after tomorrow. There might just be her, running her dream café, expanding her business while I'm a thousand miles away, trying to rebuild my life in some new city.

I can't think about that. Not now.

Not when she's warm against me, her hands already working the buttons of my shirt, her soft moans making my cock throb with desperate, primal need.

"Fuck, baby," I growl, lifting her onto a stack of equipment boxes. "I need to taste you, gorgeous."

I drop to my knees, pushing her skirt up her thighs, revealing that scrap of lace she wears that drives me insane. She hooks her legs over my shoulders as I drag my tongue along the edge of her panties, tasting her through the thin fabric.

"Fuck, Logan," she gasps, her head falling back against the wall. "Someone could come in."

"Let them," I mutter, pulling her panties aside and diving in with my tongue.

She's already wet for me, her clit swollen and sensitive under my mouth. I feast on her like a man starved, like this might be the last time I get to taste her sweetness.