Page 87 of If You Claim Me

Our teammates from the Hockey Academy chuckle.

Flip rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “But, Dred, you showed up in my life exactly when I needed you.”

“You needed board games,” she quips.

“I did. So fucking badly. Sorry about the language.” He clears his throat and pulls a set of cue cards from his pocket. Tugs on his tie. Takes a sip of his water. “Since the day I became your neighbor, you’ve become one of the most important people in my life, Dred. You’re my family. My other sister, and I’m solucky to have you. Every single person at this table is better for having you as a friend, as a future daughter-in-law, as a fiancée.”

He makes eye contact with me, and it’s not full of warning, but something else, something more like awareness, maybe. And a plea to treat her with the kindness and love she deserves.

“You listen without judgment, you stand by your friends no matter what, you are viciously loyal, aggressively loveable, and unbelievably compassionate. We see it every time you set up another program at the library, and when you show up for the people you care about.”

“You all do the same for me.” Mildred wipes under her eyes.

I stretch my arm across the back of her chair, and she leans into me.

“The way you give to everyone around you and expect nothing in return is awe-inspiring.” Flip turns his emotion-filled eyes on me. “Connor, you are so lucky to have the honor of loving Dred. Take care of her the way she always takes care of everyone else, especially her beautiful heart.” Theor else you’ll have to answer to meremains unspoken.

I nod. “I promise I will.” And I mean it. Because as I sit here, surrounded by the people who love Mildred the most, I see exactly what Flip is saying. I don’t want to lose her.

Her reasons for doing this are motivated entirely by love—for her friends, for Meems, for the people she helps with the programs she builds at the library, for every kid she spends time with who doesn’t have a mother. And I want that for myself. I want a right to her warmth and love. I have found something special,someonespecial, and by chance and circumstance she’s agreed to be my wife.

She’s mentioned wanting to pretend it’s real, so maybe if I do things right, she’ll want more than just pretend. Then she could be mine forever.

CHAPTER 23

DRED

“You look stunning.” Lexi adjusts my dress, fussing over me in a way that feels maternal.

“I cannot believe I’m getting married.” I turn to face her.

“As in, you want to do a runner, or you’re excited, or somewhere in between?” She holds up a finger. “And let me preface this by saying that any of those, or a combination, or an alternate version, is completely acceptable. And whatever you need from me, I’m right here with you—getaway car, hug, emotional support.” She opens her arms, and I step into them.

“I don’t want to run.” I squeeze her and step back. “Thank you for being such an incredible friend.”

“You’ve done the same for me. How are you feeling? Honestly.”

“Nervous. I care about him, Lexi.” These past weeks have shown me a different side of hockey’s most-hated player. He’s someone else when no one is watching.

“He cares about you, too.” She takes my hands in hers. “Even villains have a heart.”

The knock on my dressing room door startles us both. “Your bridal party is here!” Rix calls.

It’s really happening.

Lexi opens the door, and the girls flood in. Everyone has their own style of dress, but they’re all wine red.

“Oh wow! You look like a princess, Dred!” Callie’s eyes are wide with wonder.

Lexi steps in front of her before she can throw herself into my arms. “Are your hands clean?”

She gives her sister a look.

“Roman made her wash them before she came in here,” Fee assures us with a wink.

I bend to hug Callie. “Are you having fun this morning?”

“So much fun! I love weddings! Essie did my makeup, and they have the best snacks, and I love my dress, and we all look like we’re straight out of a fairy tale!” She barely takes a breath before she continues. “Will Connor be my uncle Connor now, like you’re my aunt Dred, even though we’re not really related?”