Page 39

SILAS

SEPTEMBER

“ B aby, have you seen my jersey?”

My question went unanswered. No surprise there since this morning was total chaos.

It was, after all, the first day back at school.

Jo was already out of the house by the time I woke up and Damien fixed breakfast while I hopped in the shower.

Now I was rummaging through a pile of laundry, searching for my shorts and my jersey.

Where had Damien put them? I had five minutes to get my shit and get out the door.

I had a full day of classes, a hockey practice, and a soccer game to get ready for.

We’d been running around like crazy for the past week getting ready for the new school year. The Banning household was always busy, sometimes messy, often loud, and at times, chaotic. More than anything, it was filled with love, laughter, and family. Our family and friends.

Our home became the go-to summer hangout for the hockey camp crew, notably Finn and Ethan.

Finn’s mom was diagnosed with lymphoma, but since they caught it early, and she’d started treatment, she was doing well and her prognosis was good.

Despite that stress, Ethan always managed to get Finn laughing, and he stayed positive.

Everyone in our camp became a tight knit group of friends.

So much so that in August, Finn, Ethan, and Dane, along with Dane’s boyfriend, Jackson, kindly offered to stay with Jo while Damien and I took off for our honeymoon.

Where did we go? Toronto, of course, because we had to visit the hockey hall of fame.

We got razzed about our choice, but for me and Damien, it was exactly what we wanted.

After three days of exploring the city, Damien and I drove northeast to his brother’s cottage in Algonquin.

We had our own tiny cabin in the woods; one of three that Trent built on the property.

The main cottage, where we gathered for meals, had a view of the lake that rivaled our home in Vermont.

The days were sunny, hot, and humid, and the nights surprisingly cool.

Halfway through our stay there was a wild thunderstorm with lightning like I’d never seen, and it knocked the power out.

Damien and I more than enjoyed our night together in the dark.

Being alone with my husband, no phones, no lights, no distractions, was primal, sexy, and unforgettable.

All in, it was an amazing two weeks. Best of my life.

And falling in love with Damien meant the most incredible change of my life.

I never imagined that being with one person, having my person, could even be possible.

But every day with Damien showed me what I’d known from my very first encounter with him a year ago; he expected nothing but my best, and I was never going to stop giving it to him.

Team Damien forever. Was my husband still a hard-ass?

Yes, about a lot of things, hockey included, and I loved him for it.

He was my biggest supporter, challenging me when it came to the game I loved and the life we were building together.

Not that our marriage was without growing pains.

I was used to being hyper independent, and so was Damien, and we were still learning to lean into each other.

Not to mention, the homophobic comments on socials and in person when we came out as a couple.

Thankfully, the hockey team, as well as our family, supported us.

Even Eloise, Damien’s ex, and her fiancé, Rick.

Damien was right; she was more annoyed that he’d remarried first rather than the fact he’d married me.

We’d also talked a lot about what would happen when—not if—I got drafted.

Damien was determined to get a coaching job in the pros, but with the caveat that he’d only accept an offer for a team on the same coast. It wouldn’t be easy, no matter where we ended up.

It would mean long-distance for a good part of the year, but we’d find a way.

I knew that we would. Plenty of couples juggled busy sports careers and made it work.

Jo was headed into his last year of high school.

His medication was improving his symptoms, and he’d even gained ten pounds.

He’d also been given the all-clear to return to hockey on a regular basis.

I’d resisted at first, worried that he was pushing too hard, too fast. Until I played one-on-one with him, and realized that yes, Jo was ready.

My dad was still working hard on regaining his speech and mobility.

In addition to our weekly visits, we were able to bring Dad home for a weekend, which meant everything.

Damien and my father always got along since they shared the same dry sense of humor.

Not to mention, my husband’s hockey stories, past and present, were the highlight of my dad’s week.

No surprises there. Damien had a magnetic charisma that drew people in.

And me? I was undeniably, completely, head over skates in love with Damien. And the way he loved me back? That man had me wrapped around his glove.

Now, if only I could locate my man, and my laundry…

I wandered into the kitchen, only to find Damien leaning against the counter, holding my jersey in his hands.

“I’ve been searching for that,” I commented. “Where was it?”

“In my bag, by mistake.” Damien grinned. “Along with those tiny athletic shorts you tease me with.”

He held the jersey up, and I smiled when I saw S. Banning in bold, gold letters.

“Are you sure you want to wear this?” he asked me. “This isn’t like summer where only a handful of people will see it. The entire campus will know.”

I took the jersey from his hands and shook my head.

“Of course I want to wear it. I’m damn proud to be your husband. And if the jersey doesn’t say it, the tattoo will.”

He stepped up to me and slid one hand up my chest, over my heart. I’d had Damien’s initials tattooed there, along with our wedding date: July 20. It was only later that I thought about the significance of the date. My mom wasn’t here to meet Damien, but I had a feeling she’d wholeheartedly approve.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and gave my husband a long kiss.

“What time does your soccer practice start?” he asked me.

“Seven.”

“You ready?”

I shook my head. “Let’s just say that I’m not nearly as coordinated running on grass as I am skating on ice. It feels like I’m going way too slow on that field. Plus, it’s fucking hot out there in the sun.”

“Do the Cougars proud.” Damien smiled and playfully squeezed my ass. “It’s not a hockey game, but you still play to win.”

I grinned. “Yes, Coach.”

“What about a T-shirt?”

“Ethan’s got them,” I explained. “He insisted on creating custom shirts.”

“Why?”

“Probably because they say something raunchy.”

“Oh fuck.” Damien shuddered. “Like the invitation heading he so helpfully suggested for our upcoming reception; Congrats to the Banging Bannings .”

I bit my lower lip, trying not to laugh. “He’s ridiculous, but he means well.”

Damien raised one dark eyebrow. “And putting him in charge of our wedding reception?”

“It’s all under control,” I insisted. “Dane got one of Jackson’s rowing crew buddies to work with Ethan on the party. To supervise. It’s fine.”

I hoped.

“It’s a week away,” Damien replied. “Do we have any other details? I mean, besides the inappropriate tagline that we said no to. Like where it’s being hosted?”

“I have no clue. Apparently, they want it to be a surprise.”

Damien groaned and rested his forehead on my shoulder.

“I’ve got a bad feeling.”

“It’s going to be fun,” I reassured him, rubbing his back. “Better than a stuffy black-tie event.”

Damien lifted his head, pinning me with those gorgeous eyes of his. “If I didn’t love you more than anything?—”

I let out a laugh at his put-out tone. “I love you, too.”

“But this party?—”

“Our wedding reception. And you’re not going to miss out on it, even if I’ve gotta drag you there myself.”

“So ruthless,” he whispered, kissing me. “First, you take my heart, and now this. I married one determined man.”

“So did I.”

Like always, Damien’s stunning smile knocked the breath right out of me.

“I’m ready for anything, baby. As long as you’re beside me.”

“You and me, Damien. You and me.”

Thank you for reading Heart Taker !