Page 38

PAYTON

Two months later

I may regret this. Or it could be the best day of my life.

“So, I go first?” Elias stares at the two-foot by three-foot sign with the word ‘WILL’ written on it in heavy black letters, all caps.

Ethan slaps him on the upper arm. “No, you tater tot. I go first.” He holds his sign up with one hand and underscores Lily’s name with his other like a showroom model highlighting a race car.

Scowling, Elias smacks him back. “Her name could go on the end, bro. Either way works.”

Dangling his sign with the word ‘MARRY’ by his side, Wade waddles over in his goalie pads, looking more menacing than the entire lot. “You fellas best take a chill pill. You’re stressing the Pay-man out.”

Here I am, sitting on the bench, holding a sign with ‘ME’ scrawled on it and, in my other hand, a velvet box with the ring I had designed for Lily while she was in England.

Took every bit of strength I had not to ask her to marry me at the airport after she walked through those doors, ran to me, and wrapped herself around me like a hungry kitten.

And each day afterward. But I wanted to do one of those grand gestures like I’ve read in my sister’s romance books.

Something that would show Lily how much I love her, and how much I want to spend every day of my life with her.

And that’s why I hatched this plan with the help of my mates.

In fact, the day Lily flew back to England, I hosted another team dinner with the ulterior motive of asking for their ideas and assistance.

When I explained how I’d used signs to enlist Delilah’s help, Luke said I should do it again, this time for Lily. And he was right. I hope he still is because even my sweat is sweating at this point. It’s bad enough I have to wait until the season’s over to officially marry this woman.

If she says yes, that is.

Luke inserts himself between me and the other blokes. “We got this, Pay. Don’t we, boys?” He shoots a threatening look at the others, who nod obediently. “And she’s going to love it.”

Breath shaky, I get to my feet. “I bloody well hope so.”

I know Lily loves me. She’s told me so many a time over the last two months. But I’m moving fast, and a part of me still thinks she’ll wake up one day and decide she made a huge mistake by staying.

Anytime that fear rears its ugly head, I remember what I told her. That I’d follow her if that were the case. And I still feel that way, but it still boils down to her heart and if I’ve truly made her mine. Because that woman pretty much owns me.

At the sound of a text chirp, Luke reaches into his locker for his phone. “Sophie’s on her way with Lily.” He looks at me with some concern. “You ready?”

I think about what I’m about to do, and a surge of wild energy buzzes through me. “ More than ready.”

Wade whistles. “You heard the man. It’s showtime.”

Lily

The horn blows, and I, like all the rest of the Sun Kings fans, jump to my feet, cheering and celebrating another win.

The guys are having their best season so far, according to Sophie and Mia, who are jumping up and down on either side of me.

They’ve been teaching me about hockey so I can understand the game better.

Payton has, too, but having these two giving me play-by-play explanations has been surprisingly fun.

Especially when they get their noses bent out of shape when the refs miss a penalty call, and I can relate.

Even though he can handle himself, seeing a player from the opposing team get rough with Payton riles up the bodyguard in me.

By the way, I’ve traded in being a bodyguard for becoming a college student. I don’t know what I want to pursue yet, but since I’ve had to study people most of my life, I figure psychology might be a good place to start.

As the guys leave the ice, I sit back down to watch the top scorers come out and give their sticks to the kids. I think this is my favorite part of the game, especially when it’s Payton. Or Wade. In all his bulky gear, he acts like a giant teddy bear.

After checking her phone, Sophie grabs my arm, tugging me back to my feet. “Let’s get down to the waiting area.”

“Don’t you want to watch Luke skate out and give his stick away?” I protest.

“Seen it once, you’ve seen them all.” She continues to pull on my arm, dragging me toward the aisle.

“What’s with you two?” Obviously, they’re up to something. Maybe it’s a surprise party. I always wanted to experience one of those .

“Nothing. I’m just ready to get Ethan and go home.” Mia pushes me from behind, giggling, which tells me they’re definitely up to something.

Okay. I’ll play along. I can still pretend to be surprised.

My conviction wanes though, when Sophie bypasses the family waiting area and heads to the players’ entrance. Luke’s standing there, holding the door open, still dressed in his gear and skates.

Sophie pats him on the chest. “Thanks, babe.”

He grunts, but one side of his mouth tips up.

Sophie drags me inside and down a hallway while Mia tries to keep up.

“Are you guys going to tell me what’s going on?”

“Not yet.” Sophie throws over her shoulder.

Luke gets ahead of us and skates into the rink. I catch sight of Ethan’s jersey and Wade’s big goalie pads, but no Payton.

That’s when I realize Sophie is leading me in that direction as well. “Are we allowed to go on the ice like this?”

“Only for special occasions,” Mia calls out from behind me.

The idea that they involved the entire team sends a flush of warmth through me, warding off the cold as I gingerly step out into the rink. I only wish I knew what was going on. Mia and Sophie flank me like soldiers, and the guys line up on the ice, facing us. But I still can’t find Payton.

Hands behind his back, Ethan skates forward and stops. He brings his hands around to the front, revealing a small poster board with my name on it.

Then Elias glides up and does the same. Except his has the word ‘WILL’ on it.

Luke is next, and his board says ‘YOU.’

Looking rather sheepish, Wade approaches, flipping his card, which says ‘MARRY.’

My hand flies to my mouth as tears burn my eyes.

Payton skates out from behind the wall of hockey players, heading right for me as he flips his sign, which says ‘ME,’ of course. As he gets closer, he goes down on one knee and slides to me, his eyes filled with so much love—love I never expected to find or have returned, not like this.

My tears turn into a sob as Payton swaps his sign for a ring box, which he opens. Inside, a silver band with a diamond sits nestled in a lily-shaped setting.

I can’t speak, so I simply nod. After Payton stands and slips the ring on my finger, I throw myself into his arms so hard that we glide backward as I kiss him with all the love exploding from my heart.

When we come to a stop, Payton sets me down but keeps his hands on my waist. Everyone is clapping and cheering, including some remaining fans in the arena.

I kiss the dimples on each side of Payton’s mouth. “You work fast.”

He cups my face in a lingering, sweet kiss. “Just making our marriage official.”

“I love you so much. And I love that you included Sophie, Mia, and the team.”

“We’re like a big, messy family.”

“And stinky.”

He laughs as I twist around so I can thank everyone, but I start to slip.

Payton catches me. “I’ve got you, darling.”

Every time he calls me that, I know he’s saying he loves me. Besides all the times he says the actual words. Something I’m still getting used to hearing.

Tears spring back as I’m overwhelmed with so many feelings. So many BIG feelings. This man I was supposed to protect and keep from harm turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.

“Thank you for saving me, big guy.”

“No, Lily, you saved me. ”

“But you were never in danger.”

His thumb brushes my cheek, his voice low and sure. “That’s where you’re mistaken, darling. Before you, I was alone, convinced I had everything I needed already. And that’s the worst kind of danger.”

I bob my head because I know what he means. Probably better than anyone.

But now, none of that matters because he’s mine, and I’m his.

“Let’s go home, big guy.” I pat his chest. “And keep your jersey on.”