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Elsy

When Wyatt suggested we go on a vacation to celebrate the end of the season, I thought it would be low-key. Casual. Not… this. A five-star resort in the Caribbean is not something I ever envisioned for myself.

“Surprise!” A group of hockey players jump out at us.

With a startled laugh, I take in our friends. Henry, Puppy, and Viggy are here, plus a few other guys from the Aces. There are players from Wyatt’s tenure with Philly, including those who have gone on to other teams. And then there are a few players from the Grizzlies…

Vanessa waves at me from under Sven’s arm, and Rachel and Jake grin. I even recognize Seb Henry and his fiancée, Audrey. Bex is standing with them, and she walks forward, grabbing me in a hug.

“Congratulations,” she says in my ear. “I’m so happy for you two.”

“Thank you.”

The weight of his ring on my finger is one I’m slowly getting used to.

“Hey,” I say, nudging her. “This makes you my sister.”

“Finally!” Bex tosses up her hands. “I’ve only wanted a sister forever.” She hugs me close. “I’m so glad it’s you.”

“Did you know he was going to propose?”

I kind of thought he’d do it on this trip, but he surprised me by popping the question two weeks ago. We went for a walk at Lady Bird Lake and then for lunch at the deli across from my old apartment, now that I’m officially all moved into his condo. Over tuna salad croissants and club sandwiches, as he was handing over his pickle spear, he asked me to marry him.

Of course, I said yes. And not just for a lifetime of pickles.

“I had a hunch.” She winks at me. “He showed me a few pictures from the store, but he’s the one who picked it.” She plucks my hand into hers, admiring the ring. “It’s gorgeous.”

When it comes to jewelry, I’m a minimalist. The simple white-gold band with a single oval diamond is perfect for me. If I could have imagined a dream ring, it’s exactly what I would have asked for.

He knows me, sometimes even better than I know myself.

Henry steps forward, nudging Bex away, and I let him wrap me in a hug. “So happy for you, honey,” he murmurs into my ear. “He doesn’t treat you right, you let me know, and I’ll remind him what he stands to lose.”

I grin. “Thanks. I don’t think we’ll need to, though.”

Wyatt is across the resort restaurant, chatting with a few of the other guys. His broad smile is relaxed, no hint of anxiety. Neither of us will ever be “cured” of the insidious thoughts that plague our brains. But with medical management, regular therapy—both separate and together—and a lot of work, we can live happy, fulfilling lives.

“So how do you like your engagement party?” Henry asks.

“Oh? Is that what this is?”

“Of sorts. What could be better than a week in tropical paradise with all of your best friends?”

I look around the room. There’s one person conspicuously missing…

“Where’s Mitch?” I ask. I can’t believe he would miss something like this, even with everything that’s been going on.

He laughs. “His flight is delayed. He’ll be here soon,” he promises. “He texted me the details. Whitney had me coordinating everything.”

“Really? You?”

“Don’t sound so surprised.” Henry laughs. I poke him in the side and he twitches. “The plan was to propose last night, but he jumped the gun. He couldn’t wait. You think it’s hard to wrangle cats, try twenty hockey players and a secret proposal.”

“I’m glad you did.” I squeeze him around the waist. “You’re the best.”

“Anything for you two.” He gives me a small smile. “I meant it when I said you’re my sister now. You’re stuck with me.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Pulling me across the room, he introduces me to his brother, Sebastian, and Seb’s fiancée, Audrey, the daughter of Boston’s coach. We’ve met socially a few times while I was still living there, but we don’t know each other well. I guess that’s going to change now that Henry’s adopted me.

As I mingle with friends both old and new, my eyes keep drifting across the room. Wyatt is so happy. I understand what he meant now about making our own family. We discarded the people who dragged us down, the people who didn’t want the best for us. And now we’re embarking on a new life together, surrounded by the people who matter most.

Dinner is delicious and followed by drinks, then dancing, and it’s close to two o’clock in the morning when the party finally dies down.

Luckily, we have the better part of a week to party. But first, time for bed.

Bex has a cabin close to ours. Wyatt is between us as we stroll to the beachfront bungalows. The steadiness I feel when his hand is in mine hasn’t gone away. If anything, I feel even more secure. His other arm is around his sister’s shoulders as they argue playfully about which Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle the other is.

The only thing that could make tonight better would be?—

My best friend steps around the corner, and I grin, racing toward him.

“Mitch!” I practically leap into his arms and he catches me like I weigh nothing, even though that’s decidedly not the case.

“Hey, Els.” He cups the back of my hair as he hugs me. “You look good. Happy. Congratulations.”

“Thanks. I am. I really am.” Taking in his haggard appearance, I run my hand through his hair. “You don’t.”

He sighs. “It’s been a long couple of weeks.”

His team was bounced out of the first round of playoffs. Austin made it to the second round before crumbling.

Mitch’s eyes flicker behind me, widening. He clears his throat and shuffles me under his arm so he can shake Wyatt’s hand.

“Good to see you, man.”

My fiancé grins at him. “You, too.” He pulls him in for a bro hug.

Mitch’s face scrunches in confusion. His eyes flick from me to Bex and then back to Wyatt, narrowing.

“Have you met my sister?” Wyatt says. “This is Bex. B, this is Mitchell.”

All the color drains from Mitch’s face. “Fuck.”

Bex glares at him. “You look like a Nick to me.”

* * *

How do Bex and Nick know each other? Find out more in Game Misconduct , coming spring 2026.