Page 39 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie (Second Chance Hockey Players #2)

Chapter twenty-seven

Whitney

B efore we knew it, the reason I came back to Autumn Cove finally arrived. It’s Keith and Laura’s wedding day.

The church is breathtaking - tall stained-glass windows casting colorful patterns on the polished marble floors, golden chandeliers glowing softly, and rows of white roses and baby’s breath - Laura’s favorite - lining the aisle.

Hushed excitement fills the air, the kind that makes your heartbeat a little faster.

I’m sitting with my family, well, except for Rosa who is one of Laura’s bridesmaids. All of us together in a neat row, for the first time since…, everything.

The tension is there, unspoken but present, like a crack in glass that hasn’t fully shattered yet.

Since my outburst weeks ago, the first people who reached out to me were Janet, Rosa, and Dad.

And let’s just say, those conversations left me in tears more than once.

Dad, as always, had a way of making me feel like his little girl again, safe and understood.

Edward had traveled the day after everything went down and only just got back yesterday, so we haven’t seen or had the chance to talk, that’s if we are going to.

As for Mom… Well, I’ve seen Mom, but we never talked about it.

It was awkward like we both wanted to say something but didn’t know how.

And Keith? I haven’t spoken to him or even seen him, really.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been keeping myself busy.

Or maybe he’s just been wrapped up in wedding preparations.

Or maybe - just maybe - we’ve both been avoiding each other.

Either way, today isn’t about us. It’s about him and Laura, and I’m so, so happy for them.

I glance up toward the altar, and there he is. My man.

He is standing beside Keith, looking - holy hell - insanely handsome.

He’s wearing a sharp black tux, tailored perfectly to his broad shoulders, the crisp white shirt underneath making his tan skin look even warmer.

His dark hair is neatly styled, his sharp jawline even more pronounced under the soft glow of the church lights.

He looks like he stepped right out of a dream.

My dream.

Keith, beside him, is a perfect blend of nerves and excitement. His tux is a deep navy, a subtle contrast to Blake’s black. His hair is brushed back, and though he’s standing tall, I can see the way he keeps adjusting his cufflinks, exhaling slowly.

Blake says something to him that makes him chuckle, easing his nervousness a little. After helping Keith adjust his collar, his blue eyes, always intense, sweep across the guests before landing on me. He smiles - slow, warm -then winks.

Heat rushes to my face, and I bite back a smile as my heart does a little flip.

A few minutes later, the bridal procession begins.

The entire church shifts as everyone turns toward the grand double doors. A hush falls over the room.

And then…

Holy Moly.

Laura steps through the doors, and she is stunning.

Her wedding dress is an elegant A-line gown with a sweetheart neckline, and delicate lace detailing cascading down the bodice.

The sweetheart neckline accentuates her collarbones, and the sheer, off-the-shoulder sleeves add a touch of romance.

The skirt flows like liquid silk, moving with her as she walks.

A long, sheer veil drapes over her shoulders, her soft curls pinned back with pearl hairpins, catching the light as she steps forward, her fingers clutching her father’s arm.

Honestly, she looks like something out of a fairytale.

But the most beautiful part? The way Keith is looking at her.

His chest rises with a sharp breath. His lips part.

And then - my brother loses it.

A single tear rolls down his cheek. He doesn’t wipe it away. Doesn't even try to hide it.

The entire room seems to sigh as Laura reaches him, and when she smiles up at him, there’s no mistaking it - this is love. Deep. Real. Unshakable.

I feel my throat tighten.

My gaze drifts to Blake.

He’s not watching them. He’s watching me.

Our eyes lock, and something shifts in the air. Something weighty, electric.

My breath catches, my heart hammering as a slow, almost reverent expression crosses his face. He doesn’t look away. And neither do I.

The ceremony moves forward, their vows spoken - beautiful, heartfelt promises of forever. And then, at last…

“I now pronounce you, husband and wife.”

Keith doesn’t hesitate. He pulls Laura in and kisses her like she’s the only thing in the world that matters.

The room erupts into cheers, and just like that - Keith and Laura are married.

The reception is lively, with laughter and music filling the air. The hall has been elegantly decorated - soft golden lights, round tables covered in ivory linens, and floral centerpieces that match the bouquets from the ceremony. People are talking, eating, and dancing.

Keith and Laura share their first dance, swaying to a slow, romantic melody, their foreheads touching. He whispers something in her ear, and she laughs, her eyes shining with love.

I smile, watching them, but before I can get too lost in my thoughts, a warm hand brushes against mine.

Blake.

“You okay?” He murmurs.

I nod, but something about the way he’s looking at me - soft, searching - makes my chest tighten.

“I’m happy for him,” I whisper, glancing at Keith. “For them.”

Blake’s fingers curl around mine. “I know.”

When I glance up at him, he smirks. “So, did you cry?”

I scoff, but he chuckles, leaning closer. “I saw you wiping your eyes.”

“Shut up,” I mutter, but I can’t stop the smile spreading across my face.

A while later, I’m standing alone by the pillars, champagne in hand, taking in everything.

Blake is across the room, standing with a group of groomsmen, laughing at something James, one of Keith’s groomsmen said.

Laura is dancing with her father, mum is dancing with dad, Edward is feeding his wife cake, and Keith… , where is Keith?

“Whitney.”

The voice stops me cold.

Never mind. Here he is. I turn and see him walking toward me.

Oh God.

I brace myself, expecting - I don’t even know what. But when he stops in front of me, his jaw clenches, then relaxes. His voice is quiet and steady.

“Can we talk?”

I blink.

I nod, and he leads me toward the side of the venue, away from the guests, away from the noise.

For a long second, he says nothing. Just exhales. Runs a hand through his hair. Finally, he looks at me, and there’s something different in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Whit.”

I blink. "Keith…"

"No, let me say this." He runs a hand over his face, looking both frustrated and tired.

"I was a jerk. I was angry. I felt betrayed. But the truth? I saw it, Whitney. I saw how you looked at him even before I was willing to admit it. And I hated it. I’m sorry for how I treated you and for the things I said. "

“I am sorry too, Keith. So very sorry. For keeping it a secret from you. I am sorry for hurting you,” I say, taking his hands in mine, which he uses as an advantage to pull me in for a hug.

He shakes his head. “I know. I know. I am sorry too. Just never, ever keep secrets from me.”

I bite my lip, trying to keep the emotions from spilling over.

"I love you, Whit." His voice is steady, sure.

"I always have, and I always will. You’re my sister, my best friend, my pain in the butt…

" A humorless chuckle escapes him, but his eyes are sincere.

"And the truth is, I just want you to be happy. Even if it’s with my big-headed best friend. "

A laugh bursts out of me, wet and shaky. "He is big-headed, isn’t he?"

Keith chuckles, nodding. Then, his expression softens. "But he loves you, Whit. I can see it. And if he ever screws this up…"

I roll my eyes. "You’ll what? Beat him up?"

"No," he says with a smirk. "I’ll let you do it yourself. You’re scarier than me when you’re mad."

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Just don’t make me call him ‘brother-in-law’ anytime soon,” he mutters.

I laugh, swatting his arm, and in the next second, he pulls me into a tight hug again. I bury my face in his shoulder, the weight of everything - the tension, the hurt, the weeks of silence -melting away.

Later, after the toasts and speeches, it’s dancing, dancing, and more dancing. Music, laughter, the sounds of clinking glasses, and easy conversation fill the air. But for the first time in a long time, I feel…, light.

I step out onto the venue’s quiet balcony, inhaling the crisp evening air.

“Whitney.”

I turn to find my mother standing beside me.

For a beat, we just look at each other. So much unsaid, so much history tangled between us.

Then, she sighs. “I was wrong.”

I blink. “What?”

Her gaze softens. “I was wrong about how I handled everything. About how I treated you. I let my fears control me. And for that, I’m sorry.”

Something inside me breaks - splinters into something warm, something aching.

I swallow. “I…, Mom, I was angry too. And I said things…”

“I deserved it,” she interrupts gently. “But the one thing I never stopped wanting was the best for you. And I see it now, Whitney. I see you now.”

I press my lips together, fighting back tears.

Then, for the first time in a long time, I opened up to her.

I tell her how happy I’ve been. How reconnecting with Blake, with the twins, has made my world brighter. How, despite everything, I know this is where I’m meant to be.

She listens.

Really listens.

And when I finish, she reaches out, taking my hand in hers.

"Then follow your heart, sweetheart. Even if it means risking everything."

“I love you, mom.”

“I love you too, my angel. You really are my angel. Never forget that.”

****

When I step back inside, my eyes instantly find Blake.

He’s standing near the dance floor, looking effortlessly handsome, his sleeves rolled up slightly, his tie a little loosened. His gaze catches mine, and without hesitation, he holds out a hand.

I take it.

"Dance with me?"

He pulls me into him, his arm wrapping around my waist as we move to the soft melody playing.

“You okay?” He murmurs.

I nod. “Better than okay.”

His lips curve. “Yeah?”

"Yeah."

I lean in, pressing my forehead to his, finally embracing everything - us, our love, our future.

And when he kisses me, slow and deep, I melt into him completely, knowing - finally - that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.