Page 15 of Soulmates and Slapshots (Love in Maple Falls #6)

WESTON

O ur first road trip of the season turned out better than expected, ending with two wins and one loss. Not perfect, but I’ll take it. Now that we’re back in Maple Falls, my focus should be on recovery and prep for the next game. But honestly, only one thing is on my mind—seeing Fiona.

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the kiss we shared before I left.

We ended up texting more than I expected while I was gone.

It started with sharing memes and talking about our days.

But somewhere along the way, it shifted.

Her texts became the highlight of my day.

I found myself checking my phone every five minutes, hoping for that little notification that would make me smile.

The worst part is I never saw this coming.

I moved to Maple Falls for my career, not to fall head over heels for someone.

And yet…here I am, completely distracted, practically counting down the seconds until I can see her again.

It’s like I’ve been hit with something I can’t explain, and it’s kind of terrifying.

To make things more interesting, I’ve picked up a temporary roommate. Our goalie, Clément, is now crashing on my couch thanks to the charming old house he bought. Another reminder of why I will never, ever buy anything listed as a fixer-upper.

He’s still asleep, even though it’s late afternoon. I glance over at the pile of blankets and the tall, exhausted Frenchman.

“Time to get up, lover boy,” I call out.

He groans and slowly sits up.

“It’s late,” I say, handing him a cup of coffee. “Here.”

“Merci,” he mutters, his voice scratchy.

He looks rough, but I get it. Clément has a lot going on.

“You should probably pull yourself together. It’s auction night,” I remind him.

He lets out another dramatic groan, and I can’t blame him because I’m not exactly looking forward to tonight either. The only thing that might make it bearable is seeing Fiona.

The phrase taking one for the team seems to be my theme since my arrival in Maple Falls. From the TikTok dance to being soaked with water in front of the town’s entire female population. But we aren’t stopping there—we’re upping our game to help raise money.

We’re at the Hawk River Lodge where Fiona’s aunt works, and the crowd is buzzing with energy for this evening’s festivities to begin. It might even be more intense than one of our games. Maybe.

There’s a stage at the front of the room, complete with a banner stretched across the back, announcing Maple Falls First Annual Bachelor Auction . The velvet curtain behind it is dark green, adding a touch of luxury and mystery to the room.

Yes, it’s really happening. There’s a bachelor auction, and somehow I’ve ended up as one of the lucky men on the list. I’m still not entirely sure how I got talked into participating, but here I am.

Dressed in a sharp navy-blue suit over a cream-colored shirt, and white sneakers.

In just a few minutes, I’ll be strutting across the stage in front of a packed crowd, hoping to convince someone to spend their hard-earned money for a date with me.

There’s only one person I want to go out with, though. And she’s the last person I’d ever expect to pay for it.

Ashlyn, our captain’s friend and tonight’s emcee, steps up to the microphone and gives it a quick tap. “Good evening, Maple Falls and friends!”

The room erupts into applause, cheers, laughter, and anticipation.

“I want to thank you all for coming out to support our Maple Falls Bachelor Auction,” she continues, her voice full of enthusiasm. “Tonight, your generosity helps preserve the charm and history of our beloved town.”

More applause follows, even louder this time.

“Remember,” she adds, “every dollar brings us one step closer to saving Maple Falls. And hey—maybe you’ll walk away with the date of your dreams.”

I try to scan the sea of faces in the crowd, searching for Fiona. But the room is jam-packed, making it nearly impossible to see past the first few rows. Still, I hold onto the hope that she’s out there watching and cheering me on.

Backstage, the guys are trying to stay relaxed. I stretch my arms and bounce lightly on my toes, mostly to shake off my nerves.

“Are we seriously doing this?” I mutter under my breath.

“I was thinking the same thing,” Asher replies, adjusting his tie like it’s trying to strangle him.

“We’re doing it,” Carson says firmly. “The Ice Breakers are making history in Maple Falls, whether we like it or not.”

My teammates all seem confident. I wonder if any of them are even remotely as nervous as I am.

Maybe it’s easier for them. Jackson Flint is first followed by our fearless captain, Jamie.

He struts across the stage with all the confidence in the world, flashing his smile like a pro.

The bidding starts almost immediately and climbs fast. It’s no surprise that the ladies love him.

Cade follows, playing it up like he was born for the spotlight. He winks, he waves, and the crowd eats it up.

“And here’s your favorite Ice Breakers goalie,” Ashlyn announces as Clément’s name is called.

Clément looks like he’d rather disappear into the floor, and I feel for him. He’s had a rough couple of days, and crashing on my couch probably hasn’t done much to help.

“Go on. You got this,” I say, giving him a light nudge forward.

“Use the accent,” Asher teases.

Clément scowls at him, clearly unimpressed by the suggestion.

“If you’re lucky, the accountant will be the high bidder,” Jamie calls out with a smirk.

That gets Clément’s attention. His expression shifts, and I recognize it immediately. It’s the look I get every time I think about Fiona. The look of a guy who’s been caught off guard by someone who means more than he expected. In his case it’s Marcy, a local accountant .

Clément finally walks out, and the room explodes with cheers. Someone yells, “Say something in French.”

My heart begins to race because my name is called next.

This is it.

I step into the light, doing my best not to trip over my feet. Sometimes I think I’m safer on skates than shoes. The stage feels a mile wide, and the crowd seems louder now that I’m out here. I give an awkward wave as the announcer’s words blur into the background while I scan the room for Fiona.

And then I hear it.

“Eight thousand dollars.”

Everything freezes.

What? Did she just bid…?

I finally spot her, standing off to the side, holding her bidding paddle high in the air. Fiona just bid eight thousand dollars. For me?

I can’t move. I’m just stuck in the middle of the stage, as the announcer declares Fiona the winner. The applause surges again, but all I can focus on is her.

She catches my gaze and shrugs like it’s no big deal.

Like she didn’t just spend an insane amount of money for a single date.

I shake my head, a mix of disbelief and admiration falling over me.

I know she’s been uncertain about her job lately, so this is shocking.

I don’t want to make assumptions about her finances, but still. Eight thousand dollars?

And yet I can’t help but be grateful. Because if this is her way of saying she wants to spend time with me, I’m all in.

The rest of the auction flies by in a blur. One by one, the rest of the Ice Breakers are bid on. The women of Maple Falls showed up to support this event.

But tonight wasn’t just about money or dates. It was about community, and the love for the town and its history .

When I step off the stage, I glance back toward Fiona again. She’s laughing with Ashlyn, still holding that paddle in her hand. And just like that, I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

As the crowd starts to thin, one question lingers in my mind. What if all this effort isn’t enough to save Maple Falls?

At least for tonight, this town believes anything is possible, and so do I.