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FORTY-TWO

Owen

NEW YEAR’S EVE

I wrapped my arms around my girl, looking out over the skyline of Seattle. It was New Year’s Eve, and the entire team was out at a party. We’d rented out a restaurant with views of the city, and it even had a covered rooftop bar, though most of my teammates—and the girls—had stayed inside.

Coach and the entire team’s staff were here as well—likely to ensure we didn’t go crazy, considering we had a game in two days. We still had half the season to play—and even though we liked where we were in the standings, anything could happen.

“This is nice,” I said, resting my head on top of hers. She fit so perfectly into my arms. In the last few days since we’d been back home in Seattle, we’d settled into our rhythm again. Ellie was still off from school for a few more days, and I loved every second of her break. We’d spent a lot of time on the couch, binge watching old TV shows and cuddling with Zamboni, who was in heaven having us both home.

We talked about our pasts. Every detail I could think of from the years we were apart. She told me about everything I’d missed with all our cousins and friends .

We’d talked about what we wanted for the future, our dreams and hopes. A big house with a yard. Kids—one day, once we were a little older and more settled. And of course, we wanted to be married first.

I just wanted her to have my last name. Ellie Harper . Just the way it was always supposed to be. I’d been crazy about it ever since she’d worn my jersey again.

She still had no idea that I’d talked to her dad, and I was glad to keep it that way. He hadn’t been surprised at all when I told him I was planning on proposing and already had a ring. I’d bought it the moment I got back from my long away game trip last month, not wanting to wait another second. Now, I was just waiting for the right moment to ask her to marry me. To be with me forever.

Ellie hummed, taking another sip of her champagne. “You guys really go all out for these, don’t you?”

“If you can’t party in style, what’s the point?” I winked at her. Of course, it was so much more than just a celebration of a new year. It was one way we thanked our team, giving back to the people who supported us all year. Plus, the open bar didn’t hurt.

Sophia was at the bar, though I noticed she hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol all night. Huh . That was strange. She normally had a glass of wine in hand at these kinds of events, being her normal, bubbly self.

I looked around, trying to find the rest of my teammates. Stefan was in the corner talking to Coach, his wife wrapped around him. It was the first time they were somewhere without their newborn, and I was pretty sure they’d dip early.

Jonah, Carter, Finn and Mikhail were all dancing with their girls, while I spotted Brooks leaning against one of the high-top tables next to Rhodes. Maverick was still trying to flirt with Coach Monroe, who still wasn’t giving him the time of day.

They were my boys. Being on a team with twenty plus players who all had super competitive personalities, you would think we would clash more, but I was grateful that we all got along like a family. I couldn’t imagine leaving here. If they tried to trade me, I’d be hard pressed to find a reason to go. This was my home, and these guys were my family.

And no matter what else… the girl at my side came first.

“Want to sneak outside?” I whispered in Ellie’s ear.

She nodded. “Yes, please.”

They were about to set off fireworks to celebrate the new year, but I didn’t care about that. Mostly, I just cared about the woman in front of me, and I wanted a bit of time for us.

“It’s beautiful out here,” she said, looking around the empty patio and pulling her wrap tighter against her shoulders as she leaned on the railing. “Yeah,” I agreed, not taking my eyes off of her. “It is.”

There were lights strung up out here, illuminating the patio, and a little bar tucked into the corner, that I was sure were in use during the warmer months. Right now, though, it was just us outside, and that was exactly how I wanted it.

How it had been from the beginning. Just her and I.

Hockey Boy & Skater Girl.

Ellie and Owen.

She looked beautiful tonight in a dark blue velvet dress that hugged her body in all the best ways. Her blonde hair was curled, half pinned up, and she’d put some shimmery eyeshadow on her eyelids that made her blue eyes pop. Ellie was stunning. So stunning, I’d almost dropped to my knees before we left the apartment and asked her to marry me right there. But I had a plan.

I reached into my back pocket, pulling out the box I’d stashed away when my girl had been in the bathroom getting ready. It had been in my sock drawer for the last few weeks, just waiting. The moment I’d seen it, I knew it was meant for her .

“Should we go back inside for the countdown?” She pulled back from the railing, turning her head to look at me.

I shook my head, wrapping my arms around her. “Just wait.”

She frowned, but turned her head back towards the skyline.

The moment the first firework went off, I dropped to one knee, holding out the box in my hand. When she turned around, she saw me kneeling, and her eyes widened as I took her hand.

“Owen…” she murmured, her other hand resting over her heart.

“Ellie,” I said, grinning as I stared up at her. “Maybe this feels fast, but to me, it doesn’t. I’ve been waiting my whole life to love you. From the very first moment to the very last, I’ve been yours. I’ll always be yours. Just like you’ll always be mine.” I took a breath. “My beautiful Daisy, my Skater Girl. I don’t want to go another minute without knowing you’ll be mine for the rest of our lives. Tell me you’ll be my home, no matter what happens or where we go. That every day—unless I’m on a road trip and out of town—I can wake up next to you.” Her eyes filled with tears, and I opened the box, revealing the white gold princess cut engagement ring. The stone was three carats, and the band was adorned with smaller diamonds.

“Eleanor Daisy Bradford, will you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you marry me?”

She nodded. “Yes. Yes. Oh my gosh.” I stood up, sliding the ring onto her finger, and then cupped both of her cheeks, kissing her softly.

“She said yes!” I shouted, holding up Ellie’s hand, and the patio exploded with our friends and my teammates. I’d told the guys that I planned to propose tonight and asked to have a few extra minutes alone on the patio for this reason.

The guys slapped me on the back, everyone coming over to congratulate us, and Ellie was beaming the whole time. Sophia’s cheeks were flushed when she came over, inspecting the ring and hugging my girl tight. I was so glad they were friends, and that Ellie already felt like a part of the group. She fit right in with the rest of the girls, and that made everything so much sweeter.

When everyone finally left us alone, grabbing glasses of champagne and all chatting amongst themselves on the deck again, I pulled her back into my arms.

Ellie rested her left hand on my chest, staring down at the ring I’d put on her finger. “Owen, this is just… It’s so gorgeous. I can’t believe you did this.”

I pressed my lips to the crown of her head. “Turns out, I couldn’t wait any longer before making you mine.” Grinning, I wrapped an arm around her waist. “I asked your dad when we were down in Portland last week.”

“You did?”

I nodded. “Got his blessing. Turns out your parents are really fucking happy we’re back together, baby.”

My girl—my fiancée, now—laughed. “Yeah. Tell me about it. They went on and on to me when we were there.” She stood on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Can you believe we’re the first ones out of everyone to get engaged?”

“Honestly? No.” I laughed. “But I know deep down that even if we hadn’t lost those five years, we’d still be in this same spot tonight. No matter what had happened, I would have asked you to be my wife tonight.”

“Owen.” Her eyes were wet, expression soft.

“I love you, my Skater Girl.”

“I love you too, Hockey Boy.”

I kissed her again, and the fireworks went off around us, signaling the countdown for the new year. Everyone around us started counting. Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two …

But I was just looking at her.

One .

“Happy New Year, Ellie.”

“Happy New Year, Owen.”

And somehow, I just knew it was going to be our best year yet.