Page 19 of Mistletoe Face Off (Chicago Blizzard Hockey #1)

Harrison

It’s the second period of a game on the Thunderwolves’ home turf, and we’re down 1-2. The crowd is on their feet, out for blood—our blood, to be precise. Just as the Thunderwolves are our nemesis, so we are for their fans. A victory against us will taste especially sweet for them in this, the final game on the day before Christmas Eve.

Man, do I miss the buzz I get from our home ground fans.

But I’ve brought some pretty special VIPs to the game with me here tonight in Denver, Colorado. I glance up at the family section in the lower bowl and find Holly’s eyes trained on me, a smile on her lips. She’s wearing my number and name on her back, just the way it ought to be—and someday, I hope my name will be hers.

“Holly Clarke” has a nice to ring to it, don’t you think?

Yup, I have become that guy. Romantic. Soppy. All about my girl.

But you know what? I’m more than happy about it. It turns out being in love is the best feeling in the world.

Holly’s on her feet, Macy and her mom, Cindy, at her side, all of them cheering for the Blizzard. My mom is right there with them, beaming proudly at me, and my heart softens at the sight of my favorite women, all here together, supporting me and the team.

As much as I want to think about them, right now I’ve got a job to do, specifically stopping Holly’s ex from scoring again.

One final glance at the bleachers and Holly mouths, “You got this!” I throw her a salute, my confidence getting a much needed shot in the arm.

She’s right. I have totally got this. We’ve got this, the Blizzard, and we’re not going to let these guys pull one over us tonight.

I scan the ice, my eyes locking right onto Phil Channing. He may be the Thunderwolves’ star winger, he may have been a thorn in my side all game tonight, but this is personal. I want nothing more than to wipe that smug grin off of Holly’s ex’s face with a victory over him and his team.

After their center wins the face off against Dan, Channing receives the pass. He barrels down the ice with confidence, speed, and determination, assuming he's got a clear shot at goal.

He didn’t bank on me.

I pivot, my skates cutting into the ice as I intercept his path, snatching the biscuit from him. He tries to deke around me, but I'm ready for him. With a quick flick of my stick, I slam the puck away from him, sending it flying to Chase.

Take that, jerk!

I move back into position and Chase returns it to me. Channing circles back, trying to regain control of the puck once more. He’s sticking to me like glue, but I'm there at every turn, like I’ve got a psychic connection to the guy tonight, anticipating his every move before he makes it.

The crowd roars their disapproval as I strip the puck from him once more, this time sending a quick pass to Dan. He gives the assist to Chase, who shoots for goal. The puck flies right past their goalie into the net, right where we want it to be. Score!

Our fans are on their feet, cheering and whooping as the team crowds around Chase, congratulating him.

“You did good,” Dan says to him.

“You got it, Cap’ain Dan,” he replies with a grin. Seriously, that guy’s smile is a permanent fixture on his face. The only time I’ve seen him looking unhappy is when we’re way down in a game, and even then he manages to find the positive.

I glance at the scoreboard. 2-2.

I can feel it. We have got this.

As the team resets for the face-off, I catch Channing glaring at me.

“Problem, Channing?” I ask, skating past him.

Of course the guy knows I’m dating his ex. It’s been all over the media, with headlines like Clarke and Journalist score Mistletoe Face-Off and Was it a Christmas Miracle? Rivals Become Lovers.

I’ve heard he’s not exactly my biggest fan because of it. But you know what? I couldn’t care less. The guy can't be bothered making an effort with his daughter, and any guy who doesn't take his responsibilities as a father seriously isn't a real man in my eyes.

Channing’s response is to shove me, hard, his eyes wild. “You think you're so much better than me, don't you, Clarke? On and off the ice,” he spits at me, getting right in my face, so close I can smell his breath.

I glare back at him, and I admit, for a moment, I'm tempted to drop my gloves and show this guy what I think of him.

But I am so much better than that. And besides, the votes are in for the next captain, and although it hasn't been announced, I'm hopeful I've got it in the bag.

Captains don't fight on the ice, even if they have every right to.

I think of Holly and Macy in the stands, and I take a deep breath.

He shoves me again, pushing me so hard my back hits the plexiglass. “You know Holly was mine first and I could get her back any time I want. You just watch.”

I narrow my eyes at him, my anger spiking. “Get her name out of your mouth,” I say levelly, my tone low and clear.

“Or what? You think you can take me?” he asks, his face full of hatred.

But I can only feel sorry for the guy. He was stupid enough to lose Holly when he had his chance. His loss is my gain.

Before I know what's happening, Hunter has Channing pinned to the plexiglass, growling at him. “You got a problem?” he asks, his tone menacing.

Channing’s eyes flash from mine and back to Hunter’s. I'm sure he'll know Hunter’s reputation. Heck, he's been on the wrong end of “The Enforcer” in other games.

He raises his gloved hands in the air. “Nope. No problem,” he says.

By now both teams have rallied around us, and I need to do what I can to deescalate the situation.

“You boys all good?” Dan asks.

“We're good,” I confirm. I offer my gloved fist to Channing in reconciliation.

He hesitates before he punches his fist against mine and skates away.

As I take my position, I glance back up at Holly. She gives me a proud smile, and I know I made the right call.

The whistle blows, and I'm back in the game, ready to shut down any of the Thunderwolves who challenge us.

This is my game, my team, my family to protect, and I've never been more ready for the challenge.

In the end, we snag a clear victory, winning 4-2 with a spectacular goal from Lorcan in the final period. The perfect Christmas present for us all.

After, once we’ve had the debrief with Coach, showered and changed, the team and our respective friends and family, wives and girlfriends, share a couple of post-game drinks at a private function room back at the hotel.

“And when you pushed the biscuit across the ice to Chase who got the goal? Harry, that was so cool,” Macy says with a broad grin on her face. She too is in my jersey, and I pick her up and hold her in my arms.

“Biscuit? Who taught you that word?” I ask.

“I know stuff,” she replies.

“Does this mean you like hockey more than figure skating now?” I ask.

She seems to think about it for a while before she replies, “Almost.”

I laugh, catching Holly’s eye, who’s beaming at me. I bet I can tell what she's thinking. She loves seeing the closeness between me and her daughter, but the way I see it, I'm the winner in this. I get Holly and Macy. The perfect package deal for me.

“Did you see my daddy?” Macy asks.

“I sure did. He's a good player,” I reply. “He gave me a Christmas present, but I'm not allowed to open it up until Christmas Day. He said so.”

“Did he now?” My eyes find Holly’s once more.

“He asked to see us after the game. We just got here,” she says as she places a kiss on my lips.

“Mommy,” Macy complains.

“That's what people do when they're in love, honey,” Holly says, and I can't help the huge grin from claiming my face.

We are in love, and it's the best feeling.

“I'm glad you went to see him,” I say as I place Macy back on the ground. “He needs to be a father to Macy.”

“It's good that he's at least asking to see her. Who knows? Maybe he might even turn up next time he's arranged a get-together,” Holly says.

“Chance would be a fine thing,” Cindy scoffs behind Holly.

“Mom. Play nice,” Holly warns.

“I am playing nice, but only with the people who deserve it,” Cindy replies, flashing a grin at me.

I definitely have the Cindy stamp of approval.

My mom joins our group, holding a plate full of Christmas food. “You were amazing out there on the ice. I think we lost our voices cheering for you for a while there.”

“We needed all the support we could get tonight. This Thunderwolves crowd doesn't exactly welcome us with open arms,” I reply.

“Can you blame them? You beat them too much for their liking,” Mom replies, always supportive of me and the team.

“That looks good, Nadia,” Cindy says, eyeing her plate. “I might need to get myself something to eat. Want to come with me, Princess Figure Skater?” she asks her granddaughter.

“Okay,” Macy says.

“I'll come with you,” my mom says.

“But you've already got your dinner.” I eye her plate.

“I forgot cranberry sauce,” she says, even though there is quite clearly some cranberry sauce on her turkey slices.

Together, the three of them make their way toward the food, leaving Holly and me alone. Well, as alone as you can be in a room filled with your teammates and their people.

“I think she wants us to be alone,” Holly says.

“Is that so?” I slip my arms around her waist and grin down at her.

“You know we need to kiss now?” she says, looking up at a sprig of mistletoe, hanging from the ceiling.

“I know I need to kiss you, mistletoe or no mistletoe,” I reply, smiling down at her beautiful face. I lean down and brush a PG kiss against her lips—we are surrounded by people, after all—but our moment is interrupted by Coach calling for everyone’s attention.

“This could be it, Harry,” Holly says, and instantly, my heart rate kicks up a notch as we turn to face him.

“That was a hard won victory out there for the team tonight, and you're all about to get a well-deserved rest for a few days over Christmas. But before you go, I wanted to make an announcement. Me and the coaching team have been assessing a couple of players to determine who should succeed Dan when he retires at the end of the season.”

Holly slips her hand into mine and gives it a squeeze.

“The coaching team and the players have all voted, and the results are in, folks.”

I catch Lorcan’s eye. He's got his usual smarmy smirk on his face, and I force myself to smile at him in what I hope is a collegial way.

“Come on, Coach. Who's the new captain?” Chase asks when Coach says nothing else.

“Yeah, Coach, spit it out,” Casey echoes. “Is it Lorcan or Harrison?”

“They really are like a comedy duo those two,” Holly says with a shake of her head.

But my mind is focused on Coach. This is it. This is the moment I find out whether I measure up. Whether what I've been doing on the ice for the team has been noticed. Whether my stint as playing Santa at the team events and all those staged arguments with Holly have played its small part in the decision making.

Coach continues, “I'm glad to announce that our new captain for next season will be… Harrison Clarke.”

I blink at him in disbelief. Did he really just say my name? I'm going to be the next team captain? Not Lorcan? Me?

“You did it, Harry! I am so proud of you,” Holly says as I pull her against me in a hug.

Happiness bursts out of me, and I punch the air. “Yes!”

Suddenly, we're swamped by my teammates, my mom and Cindy, and even little Macy, all congratulating me, slapping me on the back, shaking my hand, telling me I’ll make a great captain.

“Speech!” Casey demands, and I hold my hands up to get everyone’s attention.

“I don't have a whole lot to say other than thank you for having faith in me. All of you. From Coach Newton and the staff, right through everyone on the team. I don't take this honor lightly, and I'm going to prove to you that you were right in choosing me.”

The room erupts into applause, and I grin from ear to ear. I've got the captaincy, something I've dreamed about, and more than that, I've got a woman I love, a woman who gives me the strength I need every day.

I'm not sure life gets much better than this.

“Congratulations, Harrison,” Lorcan grinds out as he shakes my hand. But it’s decent of him to say it, and I won’t begrudge him.

“Thanks, man. I know you wanted it, too.”

“It was probably the Santa suit that did it,” he says, and I have to agree with him, but not for the reason he thinks.

If it wasn't for me dressing up as Santa I might never have had the chance to talk so openly with Holly that time. For that I will be forever grateful to that Santa suit, the prosthetic nose and all.

After I've thanked Coach and been congratulated by most people in the room, I manage to get Holly to myself in a quiet spot beside the Christmas tree with its twinkling lights. Christmas music and happy chatter fill the air, and as I pull her close, I say, “Have I told you how hot you look in my jersey?”

“I think you might have mentioned it once or twice before,” she replies with that soft smile playing on her lips once more, those lips that drive me crazy. “I like wearing it, Captain Clarke.”

“Captain Clarke. I like the sound of that.”

“I bet you do. And you deserve it. You’re the leader your team needs.”

“I've got some big shoes to fill.”

“I figured Dan’s feet are about the same size as yours: the size of a couple of canoes, that is.”

I laugh. “I love you, Holly Coleman.”

“I love you, too,” she replies, her face beautiful in the soft glow from the Christmas tree lights. “It’s all working out for us. You’ve got the captaincy?—”

“And you’ve got that promotion into National News,” I finish for her.

She shakes her head. “Who would have thought?”

“We’re just a couple of high achievers.”

She giggles, and the sound tickles my belly.

“Do you know what I was thinking when I was out on the ice tonight?” I ask.

She scrunches up her nose. “How to win a game of hockey?”

“Yeah, that, but also how lucky I am to have a woman like you in my life.”

It's her turn to brush a kiss against my lips, and not for the first time over this Christmas period do I wish we were alone, just her and me. “I think I'm the lucky one. If my teenage self could see me now.”

As I gaze at her, something shifts inside my chest, and I know with the deepest certainty something I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. This beautiful woman in my arms is end game for me.

She’s it for me.

I lean in and whisper softly in her ear, “One day I'm going to ask you to be mine forever.”

“You are?” she asks, her voice breathy and light.

“You bet, Mrs. Claus.”

Her eyes are shining bright when she replies, “I’ll be ready. I love you with all my heart.”

“Not as much as I love you.”

She lets out a light laugh. “Oh, really? Do you want an argument about that?”

“Do you know what I think? I think we've done enough arguing for a lifetime, don't you?”

“Agreed.” She beams at me, and my heart fills to the brim. I have the captaincy, and I have the woman I love. I’m unstoppable, the luckiest man alive, with everything I’ve ever wanted finally mine.