Page 26

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SIX

MAX

S pending the evening sitting beside the ocean, staring into the crackling bonfire with a gorgeous girl in my arms, is some sort of heaven.

Flames dance and flicker, casting golden light that shifts with the breeze, their glow mirrored faintly in the wet sand.

The driftwood crackles and pops, sending occasional sparks into the air, where they vanish like fireflies.

Just beyond the circle of warmth, the waves roll in a steady rhythm, a low hush beneath the fire’s gentle roar.

The scent of salt and smoke mingles, reminding me that we are far away from the blistering winter back home.

I can honestly say I didn’t think a bye week would be in the cards for me again.

The Cranes cherish this seven-day stretch of downtime in the middle of the season, so much so that it’s celebrated as an annual holiday.

Each year, the entire team heads to a different destination, and this year it’s Hawaii.

Now that Beckett—our unofficial travel planner—is married with a baby, he’s made the trips more family-friendly.

Most of the team is staying in the large main house on the property, but players with families were set up in private bungalows—myself included. Delaney and I have our own little place tucked beneath swaying palms, with the ocean breeze drifting in through the open windows. It’s all very romantic.

Caroline’s asleep in the back bedroom of our place.

The monitor is pulled up on both our phones and sits center stage on the armrest of a chair by the fire.

The property is gated, has private security, and is reserved only for our group, so I feel safe.

But I still check the monitor every few seconds, just like Laney does. That baby is our world.

The sunset here doesn’t feel real. It’s a watercolor explosion—blush pinks, golds, streaks of orange and violet.

I know I’ve seen countless sunsets in my life, but this one seems the most beautiful.

I guess happiness makes everything more special.

A warm breeze sweeps in from the water, and I feel completely at peace.

Laney is tucked between my legs on a big woven blanket, my arms wrapped around her waist, her back against my chest. The fire crackles, laughter drifts through the air, and everything just feels... right.

Beckett and Elena are to our left, sipping matching drinks, her head tucked under his chin.

Jaden and Anna are talking with Iris, whose legs are stretched out in front of her, toes wiggling in the warm sand.

Cade, Iris’s husband, sits behind her, his hand lazily resting on her thigh as he stares off toward the ocean.

Ari and Bash are across from us, snuggled close, laughing about something Bash whispered in her ear. Penny and Gunner are a few feet away, wrapped in each other’s arms, and staring into the bonfire.

The vibe of bye week has changed a lot since I first joined the team.

Back then, it was a blur of booze and puck bunnies with no real purpose beyond partying.

While some of the single guys are still living that life in the main house—hosting a handful of female guests—most of us are coupled up now.

I never thought I’d be the type to enjoy this side of things, but the truth is, I’m not just content—I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.

Miranda, Anna’s best friend, is currently arguing with Miles by the drink station. She’s in a white sundress, and has one hand planted firmly on her hip as she playfully glares at him over her glass.

“You seriously dumped half that bottle of rum in here,” she accuses.

Miles leans on the edge of the table, his smirk unapologetic. “You’re welcome. I brought the island to your drink.”

“My cup tastes like a bonfire,” Miranda says, lifting it with exaggerated disgust.

He shrugs. “Island vibes, baby.”

Miranda groans but tips it back anyway. “Next time, just hand me the tiki torch fluid directly.”

Laney laughs under her breath. “They’re either going to kill each other or end up making out in the ocean.”

“Or fucking in one of their rooms later,” I mutter with a grin.

Laney gasps, turns toward me, and lightly slaps my chest.

“What? It’s true. Bye week’s sparked a couple of hookups over the years.”

“Like who?” she whispers, glancing around to make sure the others aren’t listening.

I lean in, brushing her hair behind her ear. “Well, you know Cade and Iris started fooling around two years ago in Barbados.”

“I don’t think she told me that. Or maybe she did, and I just didn’t listen.” She scrunches her nose. “I was kind of negative about the whole thing at first. Not my best moment.”

“You were? She’s your best friend.”

“I know, and I feel bad. I was just worried about her. I didn’t exactly trust jocks.”

“And now?” I arch a brow.

“I’m still on the fence,” she teases, eyes sparkling. “So who else?”

“Let’s see... Oh, last year in Texas, Bash and Ari.”

Her eyes widen. “Really?”

I nod. “Yup. Right under Elena’s nose, too. No one had a clue. Though now, looking back, it feels so obvious.”

She shakes her head. “That’s wild. I keep forgetting Elena’s her mom. They look like sisters. Anyone else?”

I tug my bottom lip between my teeth, thinking. “That might be it… for now. But who knows? Maybe Miranda’s about to add her name to the list.”

“What about me?” Miranda steps up to the bonfire, claiming the empty seat beside Anna. She eyes me with suspicion, her gaze narrowed.

“Nothing,” I say with a casual shrug.

She wags a finger in front of her. “Uh-uh. I heard my name. What did you say?”

Laney jumps in, saving me. “We were just wondering what you thought of Michigan. It must be so different from living in LA.”

Miranda nods, taking a sip of her drink. “Well, the food’s definitely better in LA, for sure.”

“Agreed,” Anna chimes in, then adds, “And the winters are way better in Cali.”

“Yes, beautiful, sunny, and seventy degrees—that’s my kind of winter.” Miranda grins.

She shrugs. “But besides that, it’s pretty much the same. I mean, work is the same, which is what I spend most of my time doing anyway. I’ve heard the seasons are amazing, so I’m actually looking forward to that.”

Ari sighs dreamily. “Yes, winter seems to last forever, but just when you think you can’t take it anymore, spring shows up.

It’s so beautiful—flowering trees everywhere, and everything turns from brown to green almost overnight.

I know autumn gets a lot of love—and you were in Michigan in the fall, so you know how stunning it is—but there’s something extra special about spring. It’s my favorite.”

“Spring is gorgeous,” Elena adds, stretching her legs toward the fire. “But don’t let it fool you. We still get snowstorms in April.”

“That’s depressing,” Miranda mutters, sipping again from her bonfire-flavored drink.

“It builds character,” Jaden says with a smirk.

Laney leans into me, her head resting beneath my chin, and I press a kiss to her temple, breathing her in.

A lull drapes over the conversation. Right on cue, Miles clears his throat.

“Well,” he announces, lifting his drink with flair, “since we’re all cozy and dangerously low on conversation, I propose a game.

Would you rather… have to skate a full NHL game in a Santa costume—or be forced to sing Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas’ solo at center ice during a sold-out home game? ”

“I’m taking the Santa suit,” Cade says immediately. “At least I can hide my face.”

“Same.” Jaden nods. “No way I’m getting roasted on social media for that falsetto.”

“Depends.” Beckett shrugs. “Do I get backup dancers?”

“You’re unwell,” Elena mutters, shaking her head.

“What?” Beckett protests. “I can sing.”

“I know, babe,” Elena replies. “I hear you every day in the shower, and I hate to be the one to break it to you—but you’re not the best.”

“Babe.” Beckett clutches his chest, mock-offended. “That cut deep.”

Miles grins. “Okay, okay—next one. Would you rather have your partner read your last ten text messages out loud to the whole group—or give your mom full access to your search history for a week?”

“Search history,” I say without hesitation.

“That was fast.” Bash laughs.

“I have a baby. My search history is 90 percent diaper rash, sleep regression, and whether or not you can overdose on teething gel.”

“Okay, but the real question is—what are your texts about?” Miles waggles his brows. “Something a little naughty?”

I roll my eyes and pull Laney closer. “That, Hollywood, is none of your concern. It’s between me and Laney.”

“So they’re dirty!” Beckett shouts with a laugh.

My brows furrow. “Like yours aren’t?”

“Honestly, he texts a lot about food and snacks,” Elena deadpans, prompting a round of laughter.

“Text messages,” Anna chimes in. “Jaden’s are pretty boring, and mine are mostly links to TikToks I send Miranda... and work stuff.”

“I’d say texts too,” Penny adds. “Gunner isn’t a big texter, and most of mine are scheduling-related anyway.”

“What about you?” Cade asks Miles.

“Man, I don’t know. It’s tough. I think I’d be disowned either way.” Miles shrugs with a cocky grin.

Laughter spills out again, mingling with the sound of waves and crackling wood. Caroline stirs in the monitor, then settles, still sleeping peacefully.

Laney squeezes my hand, and I glance down to find her already looking at me, smiling. Yeah. This night—this life—is exactly where I’m meant to be.

Miles lifts his glass once more. “Last one. Would you rather stay at this moment… or skip ahead to the best moment of your life?”

Everyone goes quiet for a beat. Then Ari softly says, “I’d stay right here.”

“Same,” Laney agrees. “The moment is great, but to truly appreciate it, you have to experience the journey. And honestly, the journey? It’s pretty damn great.”

For once, Miles doesn’t have a comeback. He just nods, his eyes scanning the group, and raises his glass a little higher.

“To the journey.”

We follow one by one, voices soft and sure.

“To the journey.”