Page 24

Xander

I t’s the Fourth of July, and the town is decked out in red, white, and blue.

American flags flutter from every light post, and storefronts are dressed in patriotic colors.

Even the apothecary has joined in, advertising a new soap scent—red cherry pie.

I laughed when I first saw the sign in the window, but I immediately knew I had to buy it for Rain.

The bakery’s gone all out too, with star-shaped sugar cookies and blueberry cupcakes topped with firecracker sprinkles. The whole town feels like a scene from a small-town movie, and it reminds me of the parades I used to watch growing up.

The main road leads to the fairground, and that’s where I am now—watching kids dart between booths, chasing each other, and licking melting popsicles. According to Rain, Gio built it a few years back, when he was trying to make Ruin fall in love with him again.

I came alone today since Rain is working at the diner’s booth, selling pies and other fair staples: turkey legs, bacon mac and cheese, loaded potatoes, and the traditional chili dogs.

I’ve seen her at the diner before, but I’ve never watched her like this—completely in her element, running the show.

From a distance, I blend into the ocean of fairgoers, perfectly positioned to watch her without being seen.

She’s wearing a dark red polka-dot dress with thin spaghetti straps that show off her freckled shoulders—shoulders I’ve memorized with my mouth and my tongue.

Her hair falls in soft waves down her back, and the sun catches the coppery strands just right.

Her smile as she takes orders and delivers food is breathtaking.

It’s magnetic. How she’s stayed single this long is beyond me.

Maybe she was waiting for the right person.

Maybe fate brought me to Azalea Creek at exactly the right time.

Either way, I’m damn lucky. Rain is mine.

And I can’t wait to continue doing life with her.

“What are you doing hiding over here?”

Miles nearly scares the life out of me.

He throws an arm around my shoulder with a laugh. “Sorry, Xander. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

I shake my head, chuckling. “No worries. I was just…”

“Yeah,” he says, following my gaze. “Thirsting over your girl.”

“You know it.”

I finally tear my eyes away from Rain to face him, and that’s when I notice he’s not alone. A woman stands beside him. She’s definitely not from Azalea Creek.

She’s petite, maybe around five-five, but her platform espadrilles give her a few extra inches. She’s wearing a white skirt and a fancy navy shirt with a red bow at the collar. Her brown hair is tied up in a tall ponytail, and her designer sunglasses flash in the sun.

Yeah, she’s not from around here.

“Oh, right,” Miles says, catching me staring. “This is Penny. She’s Gio's financial assistant.”

She steps forward, offering a warm smile and her hand. “And one of his best friends. Nice to meet you.”

I shake her hand. “I’m Xander.”

She nods knowingly, her tone playful. “Oh yes, I’ve already been filled in on Rain’s hot new boyfriend,” she singsongs.

I raise a brow, half amused. When I glance at Miles, he’s rolling his eyes.

Penny bats his chest. “Oh, stop it. It’s not like I’m not part of the family gossip vine.”

I laugh at their dynamic. There’s a certain spark there, and even though her sunglasses hide her eyes, something tells me she’s looking at Miles with heat.

“There you are,” a familiar voice says.

Joss walks up, fanning herself. “Have you checked on Granny yet? Merlin was the one who helped set up her booth this morning.”

Miles winces. “I’m sorry, Ma. We were on our way when I saw Xander and got distracted.”

Joss turns to me with a surprised smile and opens her arms for a hug. “Oh, dear. I’m not sure how I missed seeing you here.”

I return the hug. “Hi, Joss.”

Together, we all make our way to Granny’s booth.

The sign hanging from the tent makes me grin: Come for advice, come for a laugh. Either way, you’ll leave happy.

A long line snakes from her booth, and I’m not surprised. Granny’s the kind of person people naturally gravitate toward.

“Hey, Granny. How are you doing? Need anything?” Joss calls, cutting the line with a wave of apology.

Granny slowly turns toward us. “Hi, dear. I’m fine. Maybe you can find me a fan? I’m boiling like a hot potato in here.”

I chuckle under my breath. Classic Granny.

Joss turns to Miles. “Go grab the standing fan from home.”

He nods and heads off with Penny beside him .

“Would you like something to drink?” I ask Joss as we continue to stroll the fairground.

“Oh, you have to try Rain’s berry lemonade,” she says excitedly.

Well, I’ll never say no to anything with Rain’s name on it.

As we head toward her booth, I start to notice people looking our way. I figure it’s because I’m walking next to the town’s matriarch—or maybe because I’m not exactly low-profile. Still, I’m not used to the attention.

A kid, probably around eight, steps into our path. His cap is slightly crooked, and he tugs it into place before looking up at Joss.

“Hello, Mrs. MacAllister.”

She greets him kindly, and he clears his throat.

“Well,” he begins, glancing nervously at me, “I was just wondering… are you really Xander González?”

I crouch down to his level and smile. “I sure am.”

His eyes light up, and he whips around to shout to his group of friends, “I told you! He’s The Beast !”

The kids swarm, full of excitement, and I hear Joss laugh behind me, a hand over her chest.

“Xander, Xander,” one of them chants.

An adult steps forward, probably the boy’s dad, and clears his throat.

“Excuse me, Mr. González,” the kid says with a sheepish smile. ”Could you please sign my puck and take a picture with me?”

The sight of the puck makes my heart clench. I’ve been so focused on recovery—and Rain—I almost forgot what it felt like to connect with fans like this.

“Yes, of course. But please, call me Xander.”

The little boy jumps up and down as his dad hands me a Sharpie.

“Thank you so much, Xander. We are big Red Wolves fans,” the man adds.

“That’s awesome. Thank you for the support,” I say sincerely. “It means a lot.”

As I sign the puck, I look at the kid. “Who’s your favorite player?”

“You,” he says nervously.

Something in my chest tugs hard.

I hand the puck back and ruffle his hair. Placing my hand on his shoulder, I crouch down to pose for a picture.

“Maybe next time, I’ll make sure to bring some merch. I’m honored to be your favorite player.”

“That’s very generous of you,” the dad says. “All the kids on the team are Red Wolves fans—but especially fans of The Beast.”

I smile at the compliment. “That’s awesome. I didn’t know there was a hockey team in town. Where do you play?”

“Right now, the kids have to go to Spruce Pine, a nearby town,” he says. “But we hope we can get our own ice rink someday.”

I nod thoughtfully, already imagining the possibilities. Maybe the Red Wolves would be willing to do some outreach events here, like we’ve done in the towns near Raleigh. Something to give back.

“Well, keep practicing hard, okay?” I say, holding out a fist.

The boy grins and bumps it. “Can’t wait to see you again back on the ice, Xander.”

I know I’ve been consumed by Rain lately, but the fact that I’m ready to return says a lot about my discipline and the incredible work the entire team has put in.

I’m leaving soon, but there are things I need to take care of first.

The next kid is already stepping up for a picture, puck in hand.

Joss graciously offers to act as photographer and line coordinator.

I lose count of how many kids I meet, but every wide-eyed smile and eager autograph deepens my motivation.

I’ll finish therapy strong and get back to the ice to give it my all.

“Thirsty, Hotshot?” Rain’s voice floats over.

I look up and see her walking toward me with a sly smile.

“For you? Always,” I murmur low, just for her ears.

When I lean in to kiss her, I catch the faintest blush coloring her cheeks.

“Did I just make you blush, Cherry?” I tease.

She swats my arm. “Shh,” she says, tilting her head toward her mom.

Joss is watching us with a Cheshire cat grin.

I just smile and slip an arm around Rain’s waist, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I saw you were busy earlier. You were in the zone.”

“Oh yeah, the booth has been packed all day. I’m afraid we’re going to be sold out soon,” she says as we walk back. Joss is already washing up and pulling on an apron, ready to help.

“Is there anything you want to eat?” Rain asks, and then narrows her eyes. “And don’t say me , you dirty talker.”

I bark out a laugh. “You took the words right out of my mouth.”

She rolls her eyes.

“Your mom said I should try your berry lemonade. What else would you recommend?”

Before I finish the question, she grabs me and pulls me behind the booth. The back is pure organized chaos—four teens filling orders, two more running out food. Joss and a familiar face from the diner juggle the order slips.

Rain hugs her mom, and Joss gives me a grateful look.

Rain makes her way back to me with the woman from the diner. “Xander, this is Blair—my sous-chef. Blair, this is Xander.”

I shake her hand.

“Nice to meet you,” Blair says with a grin. “I’m sure Chef will hate me for this, but I’m so glad you two met. Chef needed to get out of the kitchen and enjoy life more.”

I glance at Rain and wink. “I’m glad I met her too.”

Rain groans and points at me. “Now I’ll never hear the end of it. You’re making his ego bigger.”

“He’s a hockey player. His ego is already big, Chef,” Blair adds.

I laugh, loud and full, and Rain joins me.

“No offense, Xander,” Blair says sheepishly.

I wave her off. “None taken. It was funny.”

Rain turns to Blair. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to leave?”

Blair waves her off dramatically. “Yes, Chef. Go. Enjoy the fair with your beau.”

Rain salutes her and turns back to me, lifting a finger to let me know to wait for her.