Page 88 of How We End

Anders nodded and started drawing.First was a stick figure with X’s over his eyes.

“Dead,” Teigen said.Anders shook his head and held up a finger.Then drew what looked like a scroll and people crying.Julian winked at me.

“Funeral?”Teigen said.“Sad.”

“Will,” Walker shouted.

“Again, you’re not on their team,” Hannah yelled.“Do you understand the rules?”

“Have you seen him play?”Julian asked.

“Fine, Will,” Teigen blurted out.

Anders drew a big letter U after.

“Will you?”Teigen said slowly.

She paused as Anders drew the next picture.A couple getting married.Teigen turned to face Anders, who got down on one knee, in his hand a small black box.

“Will you marry me?”Anders’s voice shook as he presented the small box to her.

“Yes.Yes!”Teigen cried as Anders slipped a ring on her finger.

Everyone cheered.I didn’t know hockey players could be so romantic.Raylee rushed forward and embraced her friend.Julian and the rest of the guys surrounded Anders.I blinked back the tears at how everyone had come together to make sure this night happened.For Teigen.For me.

Julian sat back down, pulling me closer.

“You knew about this?”

“Yep.The fucker was so nervous before we left, I thought he was going to puke.We brought the ring with us.That’s why he was going to send out a search party.”

I watched Teigen.She was so happy, showing off her ring to Hannah and Raylee.

“I’ll get the champagne.”Julian stood.

“Oh my god, Wyatt.”Teigen rushed over to me, her hand held out.“I’m going to get married.Can you believe it?”

“No, I can’t, and to Anders.”I took her hand and looked at the large ring on her finger.“It’s beautiful.”I realized watching all this happen how much of life I had missed out on.Friends and silly games.Celebrating all these moments.

“All I got him was a video game.”She covered her mouth, laughing.

“I’m sure it’s a great video game.”I stood and pulled her into a hug.

“Let’s toast the new couple.”Julian poured champagne for everyone before holding his glass up.“To Anders and Teigen, the only girl who could love the worst center in the league.May they find their happy ending.”

I watched him.This Julian was happy.Relaxed.He had a genuine smile on his face, his eyes bright.I never wanted this to end.

“To happy endings.”Everyone lifted their glass.

“And I am not the worst center.That’s Walker,” Anders said.

“Hey.”Walker shoved him.

“That’s two down.That leaves you and me, Wyatt.”Raylee put her arm around me.“Unless you got something planned, Walker.”

“I got you a Beamer.”Walker held out his hands.“You told me that’s what you wanted.”

“Yeah, but you could have delivered it better.”She frowned.“Like taking me on a romantic horse ride.”