Page 29

Chapter 28

Taylor – Two Months Later

“How’s Dylan doing?” Liam asks as he sits beside me and puts his boots on while the team cheers and celebrates behind us.

We won against the Rebels, meaning we’re one game away from holding the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row, and I can feel it with the tip of my fucking fingers and the fact Penelope and Hudson will be in the family box for that game, fuck, the feeling is all-consuming.

So much fucking happiness fills me that I can’t even be disappointed that she wasn’t here today. A large part of me is kind of glad she’s not here because I need to get shit ready while trying to hold off my anxiety, worried that she’ll refuse.

“He’s doing good,” I admit as I stand, “the divorce has actually gone through. Xanthe didn’t dispute anything or request anything and moved back in with her mom, who tried to dispute it, claiming she was forced to sign until the lawyer showed all the evidence of her misdeeds,” I look at him, “Turns out she was paying her mom’s mortgage and instead of working like she claimed, she spent the time at her mother’s painting nails and doing online clothes shopping.”

Liam snorts and mumbles, “Once a gold digger, always a gold digger,” and I nod.

Dylan found several messages between them about how much they could try to transfer without him noticing and managed at least $100,000 in their relationship. Dylan threatened to sue her if she didn’t transfer the money back, knowing she’d still have it. In the end, she transferred around $90,000 to him and had to prove that the $10,000 was indeed gone. That is the last communication they have had. She’s left the state, and he is finally free.

“Are you ready for tonight?” Liam asks, and I wince.

Fuck I’m so nervous, and I haven’t even convinced her to meet me yet. She’s just had a shift, so she’ll be tired and want a hot bath and takeout.

“What if she says no?” I ask, sounding like a pussy, and instead of bull-shitting, he smiles and states, “She won’t because that girl looks at you like you walk on water.”

I take a deep breath and nod, knowing he’s right. Since she finally told me that she loves me, we’ve been close. But since she was hurt, I’ve been attached to her hip as much as I can. Every day I fall deeper and deeper in love with her. And every day she proves every day that the feelings are mutual.

She fits in with my family and my team, despite the crap her sister said, Pen and I have become inseparable.

I fucking love her so much.

“And the Bull, is it the right place, or should I change it and make it more romantic?” I express, and Liam chuckles as he stands.

We should be celebrating, fuck, he should be celebrating for stopping five shots, but here we are.

“It’s where you both met, Tay. The place is perfect,” he confirms, and I sigh, running a hand through my hair.

“Okay, I think I might be nervous,” I admit, and he chuckles back and says, “No shit,” making me grin as my phone rings, and my grin widens, knowing exactly who it is.

Without looking at the screen, I answer, “Hey, Firecracker,” and Liam grins wide before he pats my back and whispers, “I’ll get everyone moving,” I nod as my girl speaks.

“Congratulations, Tay! You did so well. I’m so proud of you, and I’m sorry I missed the game,” she says as our son babbles in the background, making me melt.

“Thank you, baby. It’s alright. I know Doctor Pretty changed your shift,” I say lightheartedly as I grab my bag, trying not to show my anger.

She snorts, “Doctor Pretty,” and I chuckle. “I had words with Doctor James today,” she admits, and I pause my movements. She continues, “I overheard him say he swapped my shifts to see if you’d ended things with me, then he can make a move. I told him the next time he does something like this, then I’ll report him to HR.”

I hum, knowing full well the fucker will try again. Pen is an amazing girl; she just doesn’t see it.

“Okay, enough about that fucker. Did your sister pick you up?” I speak.

“Yep, I’ve just gotten in the car,” she confirms, and I swallow hard.

Alright, here goes nothing.

“Can you get her to bring you to the Bull?” I ask, and she sighs, but I continue, “Please, Firecracker. I know that you’re tired and had a long day, I know Hudson will most likely get grumpy, but the boys really want to have one drink with the captain’s girl to celebrate getting into the finals, just one.”

The team looks at me silently, the cheering well and truly gone, while Ezra walks over to me and says loudly, “Come on, Pen, have a drink with us," and the rest of the team chimes in, making her laugh, and I grin.

“Okay, okay, one drink,” she agrees, and I fist bump the air, the boys all cheer, making her laugh louder.

“Thank you, Firecracker. I’ll see you in forty minutes, I love you,” I say.

She replies, “I love you too,” before hanging up and I put my phone in my pocket and shake my shoulders out.

“You sure it’s a good idea to have Avery there? Hannah is still pissed, and now your mom has an axe to grind with her after Hannah filled her in,” Ezra asks, and I wince.

“Dad is ensuring they’ll be on their best behavior, not for my sake but more for Penelope’s. Her sister is her world, and while her words were nasty and could have been damaging, I won’t hold a grudge because how is that fair to my girl?” I reply, and he sighs, knowing it’s the right thing to do for Pen's sake and Hudson’s.

The team begins to file out, we follow before the press starts shouting questions while puck bunnies who bought passes all pull their tops down, showing their bras, and fluff their hair.

I roll my eyes but soon chuckle when they begin to complain because not one player stops for their advantage, knowing how important tonight is.

“Taylor, Taylor,” a reporter says, getting my attention but mainly because the fucker shoves a mic into my face.

Ezra scowls from beside me, but I give the guy my professional smile, knowing we can’t have bad press right now.

“Evening,” I say and the reporter beams that I’ve stopped and asks, “How does it feel to be back in the finals?”

I lift my bag up and comment, “You know, it feels amazing. Our team has gelled really well this season and we’ve worked hard to get here.”

The gray-haired guy nods and mentions, “It’s great to see you guys work so well together. Some of us noticed even though your family was here cheering you on, a certain redhead and cute little boy was missing. Where is the lovely lady tonight?” Ezra growls, but I subtly shake my head as the guy continues, “This is an important game, surely she wouldn’t want to miss it unless you know, there’s trouble in paradise.”

Glee shines in his gray eyes, but I don’t bite, keeping my professional smile and I reply, “Unfortunately, Pen had to work today. Being a nurse is no easy feat, and if they need her in, she’s there. Sick kids are her priority, as they should be, with Hudson still nursing, she needs him close, as you can imagine.”

He swallows but nods, then asks, “How do you feel about your former agent being sentenced to seven years in prison?” his glee is back, and I have to grit my teeth to stop snapping at him. He continues, “She attacked Penelope in your apartment, right? Must be hard knowing she could get out in five years’ time for good behavior.”

This fucker wants me to lose it; he wants me to fly off the handle just so he has a good story.

Instead of doing what he wants, I smirk and lie: “Actually, I haven’t given it much thought. My main focus has been on my girl and my son, as it should be.”

While yes, my main focus is on my family, it pissed me off that she’s gotten away with what she’s put me, my team, and my girl through. Though I don’t expect Elena to be released early on good behavior. She loves the attention too fucking much.

The guy’s cheeks redden, and I give him another grin and state, “If that’s all, I have somewhere to be,” then walk around him with Ezra chuckling behind as he follows as fans try and get our attention.

I take a deep breath as I check my watch again.

She’s late.

As I predicted, Hudson got cranky on the car ride to Bulls, they had to pull over so she could nurse him. I get it, but my nerves are shot.

Everyone is here who matters; My team, my coaches, my family, and Pen’s family. The room is decorated with flowers, from roses to lilacs and daisies, Pen’s favorite; now I just need my girl.

“Thank you for allowing Avery to be a part of this,” Carl says as he stands beside me.

“Thank you for saying yes,” I reply, and he chuckles and then states, “It’s not the same, and you know it. From what Pen told me last week, Avery could have damaged your career and nearly succeeded.”

I'm not denying his words. If Xanthe had found out about Avery's allegations, she would have blasted it to everyone who would listen. I’m just lucky my girl noticed she was recording us.

“She’s Penelope’s sister,” I state, “while no I don’t think we’ll have a relationship, I’m willing to be cordial for my girl. She loves her sister, and right now, their relationship is strained, I hate it.”

“Avery made her bed, Taylor. She had no right to call you what she did all because you put your family before her feelings,” Carl sighs, “Since she divorced Harry, she seems to think she deserves everything she demands, and, in some way, she does. She put up with what he did…”

I cut him off, “Only because she wanted to keep her lifestyle,” I look his way, “She could have refused, but she didn’t despite knowing his reputation. While no one deserves to be hit and abused, taking her insecurities out on me was wrong. She knows that and she doesn’t deserve everything she demands because you gave her everything while Pen worked her ass off without any support.”

He nods, not disagreeing. “I think it hit home what she did when Tony decided not to share a bed with her, and I believe he’s only just moved back into their bedroom,” Carl admits, and I nod.

“I encouraged him, too,” I reply, and his eyes soften.

“You’re a good guy, Taylor. I’ll be proud to call you my son-in-law,” he says and I smile as the door to the entrance opens. I look in time to see Pen walking in, holding Hudson with Avery trailing behind.

Pen pauses when she looks in and takes in the scene while the room quietens.

“Taylor?” she whispers as our eyes connect, I swallow hard as I put my hand in my right pocket, fisting the ring while Carl pats my back and steps back.

Fuck I hope she says yes because I can’t live another moment without having this girl tied to me in every way.