Page 33

One Year Later

T-Mobile Arena

Violet

The large Las Vegas arena roars to life as I watch Neo skate onto the ice, now a star in the NHL, living out the dream he’s always chased. The energy is electric, and here I am in the VIP box, his number one fan, draped in one of his red and black Devils jerseys, which still carries his intoxicating scent.

“Cap is amazing!” Kennedy, my ever-enthusiastic roomy, yells over the crowd’s roar. Her eyes are alight with excitement. “Look at him go! I swear he’s faster than he was in the Suns’ championship win last year.”

Pride swells in my chest as I watch Neo, graceful and powerful on the ice. “He’s been in the weight room religiously,” I say, a wide grin plastered on my face, as he weaves through the opposition and scores with an effortless flick. “He calls me from there sometimes and makes me watch him work out.”

“Oh brother,” Kennedy pretends to stick a finger down her throat. “You don’t need to share everything with me.”

The crowd erupts as the puck hits the net, and I’m on my feet, clapping and cheering. Neo looks up, finds me in the crowd, and offers me a smile that makes my heart flutter.

After the first period ends, the kiss cam lands on us. I blush as the crowd erupts in cheers, and before I know what’s happening, Neo is clambering over the boards and jogging towards me. He reaches our box, pulls me into his arms, and plants a kiss that’s so movie-star perfect the crowd goes wild.

“You’re such a show-off,” I whisper when he pulls back, his eyes gleaming with that playful charm.

“I have to give the fans what they want, Grinch,” he says, and then he’s off, back to the locker room with the rest of the team.

“He marked you in college and now he’s marked you on national television. Nothing’s changed, I see,” Kennedy chuckles. “He seems happy, though.”

“He does, right?”

“Imagine how he’ll act once you graduate and join him out east.”

“That’s in almost two and a half years, though.”

“Which is your ridiculous choice. Neo makes an obscene amount of money, which he could literally use to buy you a degree or, at the very least, pay for you to transfer and go to school out there. I heard Villanova has a great pre law program that feeds right into their law school.”

“You sound a lot like him. Are you trying to kick me out of your place?”

“Never!” She playfully bumps into my shoulder. “It’s just that you glow whenever you are in the hockey god’s presence and it’s my job as your roommate and your friend to do everything in my power to help you keep it. The glow looks good on you, girl.”

“You know I never thanked you for opening up your home to me when I needed a place to stay, and pulling me kicking and screaming into the rink that first night. My head was jumbled up into a million pieces and you help me put myself together again.”

“Ugh, stop getting so sentimental. We’re at a freakin’ hockey game.”

“I know you hate it, but I couldn’t let any more time go by without me finally saying thank you.”

“Well, you’re very welcome.”

Uncomfortable with the direction of this conversation, Kennedy distracts herself by applying a fresh coat of lip gloss, so I think it’s best to lighten the mood.

“It’s a shame your stepbrother couldn’t join us tonight.”

She whips her head to the right angrily, facing me.

“That’s not funny, Violet.”

“I’m just saying,” I shrug, trying my best not to snort when I laugh. “Neo and the Devils come to Vegas to play the local team and Shane couldn’t make it?”

“You know full well that Shane and Bass have their own game to get ready for.”

“Aren’t the wedding plans in full swing? Are you and Shane standing up for the bride and groom? ”

“Not if I have anything to say about it.”

“You’ve been saying that for a year and they’re still engaged, Kennedy.”

“Hey, I don’t want to talk about it. All you should be focused on is hooking me up with one of Neo’s teammates. What about that number twelve? You think he likes tiny girls like me?”

I just shake my head at that, knowing full well that Neo would never let that go down, not while Shane is still breathing.

“Ooh, second period’s starting.” I clap. “Pay attention, Kennedy,” I laugh, throwing back the words she’s often said to me.

The game ends with a Devils’ victory, and we make our way down to the players’ area, greeted with cheers and congratulations. Neo’s teammates have become like a new family to him, embracing him as one of their own. It’s a relief to see that he was able to move from his super close VCU family to another and still find his footing. I’ve met some of the players on the team, but Neo introduces me again to some of his teammates.

“Eddie, Vlad, this is my girlfriend Violet and her friend Kennedy.”

“Hi ladies! Love to meet new Devils fans.”

“Hello to you too,” Kennedy flirts.

“Nice to meet you,” I say.

As the arena empties, Neo takes my hand, leading me out into the night air and we walk. Kennedy says her goodbyes and ends up taking an Uber to meet someone for pizza. I think Ray.

“Did you enjoy the game?” He smiles.

“You know I did. How’s your hand feeling?”

“It’s good, baby.”

“Are you still going to have the surgery during the off season?”

“Well, I wanted to talk to you about that.”

“Neo Major, I promised your mother that I wouldn’t let you chicken out again over this surgery.”

“I have my reasons for waiting longer. Mami will understand.”

“I can’t imagine what they are.”

He looks at me, his eyes full of love and something else, something deeper. “Let me explain,” he says.

I’m surprised when we arrive at the parking lot the players use and Neo pulls out a key fob, pressing the button on it to unlock a nearby smokey gray Mercedes Benz truck.

“What the hell, Neo? You bought a Benz?”

“Not only that,” he beams. “But I’m going to drive us to our hotel.”

“Now just wait a ding dang minute. You’ve been driving and you bought a car? What part of I don’t like secrets don’t you understand?”

“But these are positive secrets.”

He’s right.

But I still just can’t shake the feeling that when someone keeps something from me, the bottom is going to drop out from under me soon.

Neo’s car is plush, and it drives like a dream down the Vegas strip. I’m impressed with how Neo handles the truck, not sensing any nervousness on his part at all. In fact, he looks sexy as hell.

When we arrive at the massive five-star hotel where the team is staying, Neo pulls directly up in front so that the valet service can take over from there.

“Welcome back, Mr. Major,” the attendant greets him. “Congratulations on the win.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you leaving again, or should I park it for the night?”

“Hold it up front. We may decide to go out in a few hours. I’m not sure.”

Neo gives the man a hefty tip and we head inside. A hotel bellhop approaches with a cart and offers to take Neo’s gear and the small overnight tote I packed up to the room. Neo goes to the front desk and has a brief conversation with a woman who hands Neo several key cards.

“Ready?” he asks, his smile widening.

“For what?” I ask suspiciously. “Do you have another surprise up your sleeve?”

“Maybe.” He winks.

We head to the second floor instead of the fifteenth where he said our room was and as soon as the elevator doors open, I’m bombarded by the sudden sounds of soft romantic music in a lounge covered with bouquets of flowers.

“Dance with me,” he says, extending his hand.

It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve been in Neo’s arms like this. We knew his hockey schedule would be brutal once he went pro, but I didn’t realize just how much of a difference it would mean to our relationship.

We slowly dance together, our movements in perfect sync. It’s magical, the kind of moment you read about in fairy tales. As the song nears its end, Neo stops, his gaze intensifying. He reaches into his pocket and, to my utter shock (again), gets down on one knee, right there in the middle of the room.

“Violet,” he starts, his voice steady but full of emotion. “From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the most fascinating and kindest soul I’d ever meet. I know we are still young and life is unpredictable, but I can’t imagine living one more day without you. Will you marry me?”

Tears blur my vision as I nod, overwhelmed by love and joy. This was the last thing I was expecting, but the best secret he could have kept from me ever.

“Yes, Neo,” I cry. “There is no place I would rather be than with you for the rest of my life.”

He slips the clearest princess cut diamond ring onto my finger, stands, and we embrace, the world fading away until it’s just us, our love, and the promise of a future together. It’s more than just a proposal; it’s the beginning of our forever

Neo wraps his arms underneath my butt, lifting me off the ground, his laughter mixing with mine. “I love you, Violet,” he says, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“And I love you,” I reply, feeling a surge of happiness so intense it’s almost overwhelming.

As we finally break our embrace, Neo sends a quick text on his phone and suddenly staff members dressed in all black with white aprons enter the space, bringing various hot foods and placing them on a buffet table.

“What’s going on?” I ask, wiping the wetness from my cheeks.

“We’re going to have dinner with a few of our friends to celebrate,” he grins. “If you don’t mind.”

Without warning, Kennedy and the entire Valencia Suns hockey team walk into the room, their congratulations and hugs adding to the warmth of the moment. The quiet hotel lounge transforms into a spontaneous celebration, with everyone sharing in our happiness.

“We’re getting married this summer!” Neo announces jovially during a toast. “Clear your calendars!”

After a few hours of good food and laughter, Neo and I find ourselves alone in our room upstairs. The lights are dim, casting a soft glow over us. He takes my hand and pulls me slowly onto the bed, straddling him.

“You know, I had this entire speech planned for when I proposed,” he confesses with a sheepish grin. “But when I saw you, and when I held you, all the words just disappeared.”

I run my hands playfully through his hair, loving how my new diamond sparkles in between the golden strands. “You did just fine. It was perfect.”

“This is just the beginning, Violet. There’s so much more ahead for us. I want to give you the world.”

“I can’t wait for every moment, Neo,” I say, feeling a profound sense of contentment.

Our bodies press together, feeling the rise and fall of each other’s chests as we breathe. As our hands roam over each other’s skin, reveling in the warmth and softness, our lips meet, and I feel the softness of Neo’s skin against mine, his hand gently caressing my cheek as we deepen the kiss. His hand cups the back of my neck, his thumb gently caressing my skin. I run my fingers along the nape of his neck, feeling the soft hair against my fingertips.

He pulls the hockey jersey I’m wearing up and over my head, and proceeds to peel off all the rest of my layers of clothes. He turns and lays me gently on the bed, unzipping my jeans and pulling them down, kissing every inch of my inner thighs along the way.

His seduction of me isn’t rushed or ravenous like it can often be between us, but reverent. He handles my body as if it’s a fragile work of art, worshiping every single inch of my hills and valleys.

I mirror back the same devoted treatment of his incredible body. Caressing every defined hill and hard angle of all that his hard work in the gym has created. I love watching him groan in pleasure as I gently trace the intricate mane of his beastly lion tattoo with my tongue.

We end up in one of my favorite positions when we’re making love, reverse cowgirl, especially now that I’m on birth control and I can feel him completely inside of me without a barrier of latex between us.

He makes me watch ourselves in the long mirror affixed on the wall opposite our bed as we lose ourselves in the bliss of our union.

What I see reflected is not just sexy, but special.

It’s love.

And in the words of my mother, I know for sure that we’re going to be: one of the lucky ones.