Page 51

Rain

Six Months Later

Xander did the damn thing.

Our entire family is at the Lenovo Center, all decked out in Red Wolves colors as the team plays Game Five in the Cup Final.

I know today isn’t about me, but I can barely contain my excitement waiting for the puck to drop.

We’re at a suite Xander arranged so the family could sit comfortably, and my heart melts at the sight of my niece and nephew wearing tiny jerseys with “#37 Uncle Xander” printed on the back.

They’re crawling everywhere, and I bet they’ll start walking any day now.

“How are you feeling?” Kristine asks, appearing beside me with a cocktail.

It’s a deep red and smells like alcohol. I down it in one big gulp, scrunching my face as the bitter flavor invades my mouth.

“Careful there, Rain,” Kristine says with a chuckle.

“It’s all good. I needed that. I’m going to lose my mind, and I’m not even playing.”

She smiles, and I pull her into a hug.

“I don’t know how you did this with Sam—and now with Xander. Oh my, what if our kids are athletes too? I’m going to need a new heart,” I say, flinging my arms to fan myself.

“You’ll get used to it. For me, it started with my dad. But the more I watched them play, the more I got to enjoy it and learn how to manage the anxiety,” Kristine says.

She takes my hand gently, her voice softening.

“Rain, dear. I wanted to talk to you before the game started. I just wanted to thank you for loving my boy the way you do.”

Her eyes water, and I immediately squeeze her hand.

“Seeing my son in a loving, healthy relationship has brought me more joy than I thought it would. I hope tonight we get to celebrate his first ring.”

My throat tightens. I can’t speak, so I just give her a crooked smile.

Suddenly, the announcer’s voice booms through the arena, introducing the honorary siren sounder. The crowd goes wild.

Though he never played for Carolina, he’s a hockey legend and proudly supports Xander and the team.

The screen flashes to Gramps, waving to the crowd, and the suite bursts into cheer.

“Okay, everyone, I’m heading to my seat. I can’t watch from so far away,” I say, already moving toward the door.

Mama, Granny, Ruin, Kristine, and River all get up to hug me.

“I’ll be alright. I just need to be closer to the action.” I flash a smile and slip out.

The game kicks off, and I wish I had brought earplugs. It’s rowdy down here.

As Xander hits the ice, I scream with all my might, “You got this, Hotshot!”

The first few minutes are intense. Both teams fight to control the puck. Carolina gets a clear shot but misses, and the entire arena groans.

I lock in on Xander and block out everything else.

The Pumas score first, and the energy in the arena instantly shifts. The excitement turns to nerves, and the air is stifling.

After the first intermission, Xander, Viktor, and Nico return to the ice, and they seem to have a new air about them. They’re skating faster, fighting harder.

Nico sneaks the puck and throws it to Xander, who shoots from the blue line. I could hear a pin drop in the two seconds it takes the puck to hit the net.

Then the horn goes off.

The crowd explodes.

I bang on the glass, shouting, heart thudding.

On the ice, Xander celebrates with his teammates. As he heads to the bench, he passes my spot and winks. I blow him a kiss and laugh through the adrenaline.

I knew he could do it.

The game becomes a nail-biter. We’re three minutes away from going into overtime.

Both teams are cautious, defending rather than attacking.

Xander’s line returns to the ice, and they continue to try to advance into Puma territory.

Matt joins the attack, and the four of them swarm the net.

In the mass of bodies, I’m not sure who scores, but when that horn blares again, the crowd loses it.

People next to me start hugging me. I jump in place, waving my rally towel over my head.

When the announcer says Xander scored, a new wave of energy bursts through me. I scream even louder.

I don’t even notice him skating over until he stops in front of me. He presses his gloved hand to the glass. I do the same, and the crowd cheers for us.

I mouth, I fucking love you .

Xander laughs, pure joy radiating from his whole body.

As he glides back to the bench, he mouths I love you .

The clock ticks down. Ninety seconds to go.

I push the cuticles of my thumbs back, nerves rattling through my chest. The entire arena is on edge.

When the final whistle blows, the place erupts. Red, black, and white confetti rains down, swirling through the air.

I bolt for the suite to celebrate with the family. I’m not sure what the protocol is for joining Xander on the ice, but I know it’ll be a while.

When I open the door, the suite explodes in cheers, and everyone has a drink in hand.

“To Xander and the Red Wolves!” River shouts, and everyone echoes him before taking a sip.

“OMG, Raindrop. Xander is a beast,” Ruin yells, wrapping me in a hug. “That game was amazing.”

“I know, Ruru. My man is the fucking GOAT.”

We laugh, high on adrenaline. I hug each of my siblings, Granny, Mama, Sam, Kristine, and Gramps. We’re all elated, anxiously waiting for our turn to congratulate Xander.

“Excuse me? What the fuck are you talking about?” River’s voice cuts through the room like a slap.

We all freeze.

I turn to see him on the phone, pacing.

“I left you with a pregnant horse, and now you’re telling me both the horse and the foal are in fatal danger? What kind of vet are you?”

My eyes widen. Ruin meets my gaze and bites her bottom lip.

Is he talking to Carly? She’s the new vet in town, but I’ve never heard anyone complain about her.

River mutters something I don’t catch, then announces, “I’m sorry, everyone. I have to leave now and hope I can make it to Azalea Creek before I lose two horses.”

He rushes out the door, leaving a trail of confusion behind.

Moments later, a man in a team jacket steps inside.

“Xander González’s family?”

I nod eagerly.

“I’m here to escort you all to the ice.”

I look around to see who’s coming with me. His parents and Gramps are already heading for the door.

“I think we’ll just wait for him here,” Mama says, and Merlin’s shoulders sag.

“Are y’all sure? I know he’d love to see you,” I say, glancing at each of them.

They all nod.

Gio and Ruin come to hug me.

“Please congratulate Xander on our behalf,” Gio says. “We’ll have to host a party for him in Azalea Creek.”

I nod as I kiss my niece and nephew on their sleepy heads, then head out with Xander’s family.

On the ice, I walk carefully, grateful I decided to wear my Docs instead of heels.

I scan the sea of skaters and staff, trying to find Xander.

Sam grabs my hand and points toward the far end. I give him a thankful smile and dart off in that direction.

I don’t care if I slip. I know he’ll catch me.

When I finally reach him, I jump, and he picks me up swiftly. His helmet and gloves are off, so it’s much easier to kiss him.

“I’m so proud of you, Hotshot. You’re the star of the game.”

I press my forehead to his, beaming.

I kiss him because I can’t find the words to express everything I’m feeling. My heart is too full.

His hands move behind me, but I’m still lost in our kiss, not caring about anything other than showing him how much I love him.

When we come up for air, he kisses the tip of my nose and gently lowers me to the ice.

I’m about to tell him again how proud I am when he drops to one knee.

I gasp. My hands fly to my mouth. Tears spill before I can stop them .

“But tonight’s your night,” I whisper, overwhelmed. “What are you doing?”

“Tonight is our night, Cherry,” Xander says, opening a small velvet box. “I’ve won on and off the ice.

“The moment I set foot in Serene Lookout and saw you, I knew my life would never be the same. You’ve helped me become a better man, and nothing would make me happier than calling you my wife.”

He lifts a gorgeous round solitaire diamond ring and slides it onto my finger.

“Will you marry me?”

I don’t wait. I lean down, wrap my arms around him, and kiss him hard.

“A thousand times yes, Xander.”

Cheers erupt around us. Flashes go off, and I know the media is all over us, recording every second. But I don’t give a damn.

Because when I let go of the past and finally allowed Xander in—let him unravel me piece by piece—I found the kind of happiness I thought I’d never have.

I found home.