Page 21 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

"It can be confusing until you learn your way around. Follow me."

Jessa weaves her way through several halls and doors until there's no doubt I would've been lost if I tried to navigate us to our seats.

Mac gave us the option of sitting in the front row, rink side, or up in the box that he reserved for the rest of his family and friends.

At first, I wanted to sit in the box—if the girls got antsy, they could roam freely—but then I thought about seeing Talon up by the glass, and I knew we needed to at least give those seats a shot.

Mac assured me that if it got to be too much, we could go to the box.

Ezra promised we could divide and conquer, so Talon wouldn't have to miss out if he wanted to stay down in the seats.

Mac also got kid-sized earmuffs for all of the kids in case the arena was too loud for them.

When we walk out of the tunnel and see the ice for the first time, Talon gasps. "Whoa." His eyes are huge as he takes in the players flying across the ice.

"'Whoa' is right, bub. This is amazing." I ruffle his hair as he cheeses up at me.

"These are your seats. Here's my card, in case you need anything or decide you want to head up to the box with the rest of Mac's family.

It can get pretty wild down here, so if you need anything, please don't hesitate to text or call me.

Otherwise, have fun, and I'll see you after the game to take you to Mac. "

"Thanks so much, Jessa. I really appreciate it."

"No problem." She turns to head up the stairs, then pauses. "Oh, I almost forgot. If you go up these steps, it will take you to the next level, where the restrooms and food courts are."

"Perfect. Thank you."

"You bet. Have fun and call if you need anything." She waves, then disappears in the ever-growing crowd.

We settle into our seats and wrangle the kids into their warmer gear, which is no easy feat with how excited they are. Talon is even worse as we fight his cast, but eventually, we're all bundled and enjoying watching the players warm up.

Layla is sitting on the seat, rocking her Maclan Jersey and earmuffs and looking cute as hell.

I'm squatting in front of her—my back to the ice—as I try to get her picture when she starts flapping her arms excitedly, and I have to reach over to prevent her from spilling out of the chair.

When I look over my shoulder, Mac is standing on the other side of the glass, a huge grin on his face.

Mac chuckles as he takes off his glove and presses his hand on the window.

With Layla firmly in my grasp, I stand, balance her feet on the ledge, and let her smack the glass as she babbles and squeals at Mac, who eats up every second.

We're joined by Ezra, who has Talon in his arms with a sign that says "Mac's pack", and Daphne, who's holding Calla.

Ezra gets a picture of me and the kids with the sign as Mac smiles behind us on the ice.

Much to their delight, Thoren skates over and says hi as well.

You'd never know they saw him just this afternoon with how excitedly they react to the Viking of a man taking time to acknowledge them here.

The guys snag a few wayward pucks and toss them over the wall.

If Ezra wasn't holding Talon upright, I'm afraid he'd pass out where he stands.

The guys skate off to continue their warmups as the kids and I get settled back into our seats.

"Where'd the sign come from?" I turn to my brother and Daphne.

"I made it last night." Daphne blushes. "During my research into NHL games, I saw some really cute signs. I thought the kids and Mac would enjoy it."

"Thanks, Daph. I'm pretty sure you made his night." I give her arm a squeeze.

We settle into our seats as the kids wait anxiously for the game to start. Ezra gets us snacks, and I take Calla to the bathroom, but finally the arena lights dim and the teams file onto the ice to start the game.

It's fast paced and intense as hell. More than once, I question whether or not it was the right call to have the kids sit here, as grown men slam against the glass right in front of us, but they seem to be eating it up.

Layla is enjoying herself even though she has no idea what's going on.

The Knights are on fire and have a 3-0 lead at the end of the second period.

Before the start of the third period, Jessa makes her way to me and asks me and Layla to come with her.

We follow her to the entrance of the Knights tunnel, where Mac and the rest of the team are waiting to join the ice.

Staff roll out a mat a few feet on the ice as the team skates out.

Jessa opens a panel I didn't see and nods towards Mac, who is reaching out a hand for me.

My eyebrows raise, but I take his hand and step onto the mat.

Layla immediately lunges into Mac's arms as the crowd oohs and awws.

"Hello, Knights fans." The announcer's voice rings out over the sound system in the arena.

"We're taking a little break from our normal intermission today to celebrate a very special lady.

Our very own Mac-Attack asked us for a little help wishing one of his favorite girls a happy birthday.

So, if you will, follow along as we sing Happy Birthday to Layla. "

Tears flood my eyes as Mac beams at Layla, then back at me.

He wraps his arm around me, kisses my forehead, then takes off around the rink with a giggling Layla.

The whole place is on their feet and singing to my little girl.

I'm completely overwhelmed as I watch all the love pour over my girl, thanks to the man holding her as if she's the most precious thing he's ever seen.

When they make it back to me, the song is over and the fans are screaming.

Mac hands Layla back, but before he can skate away, I grab the front of his jersey and tug him to me.

He's startled for a moment until I raise up on my toes, moving closer to him.

Our lips are only millimeters apart when I release his jersey to wrap my hand around the back of his neck, pulling him into the kiss.

The crowd goes wild, but it all fades away as my lips touch Maclan's for the first time. His arms encircle my waist as he pulls me closer and deepens the kiss. It doesn't last long, thanks to Layla squealing and wrapping her chubby arms around our necks as she gives us sloppy baby kisses.

We pull apart on a gasp. Mac's smile could light the darkest sky as he brushes a strand of hair out of my face. "I gotta go, but I can't wait to see you after." His thumb brushes across my bottom lip, sending a shiver through me.

I nod, too overwhelmed to say anything else. Mac leans in and gives me another gentle kiss, kisses Layla's head, then helps me off the ice.

I'm still in a daze as Jessa guides me back to our seats.

"Well, that's one way to let the man know how you feel," Ezra teases beside me.

I blush, not ready to deal with my big brother. "Shut up, Ez." I huff.

It only makes him laugh more.

We try to settle in, but Mac's little stunt has drawn a lot of unwanted attention. A few minutes into the last period, I give in and text Jessa to take us up to the box with the rest of Mac's family. Unfortunately for me, it's not quite the reprieve I was hoping for.

"Hot damn, Cel. Way to go and stake your claim," Wren crows as soon as we make it in the box.

Daphne comes to my rescue. "Leave her be, Wren."

The kids and I get settled in seats and watch the rest of the game.

Mac is on fire as he soars across the ice.

He and Thoren work so well together that it's damn near impossible for the other team to even get close to the goal.

There are only a few minutes left when Mac breaks away.

He fakes out the goal as the puck flies over his shoulder, and the sirens blare.

Mac points to the box as he celebrates his goal and clenches his team's win.

We hang out in the suite with our friends and Mac's family while the stadium empties and the players handle after-game business. I'm anxious to get to Mac but also dreading seeing him for the first time after the kiss, especially with so many people to witness our interaction.

When Jessa comes to collect us, I know my time is up. Ready or not, it's time to face the man who's got me twisted up in knots.