Page 64

alex

A few months later

“Alina, are you ready for your first and last hockey game?” Anastasia gave Alina a little squeeze on the shoulder as the three of us walked out of her studio.

“I can’t believe I am moving to Portland without you.” Anastasia’s old roommate gave her a side hug as we walked.

“Damien’s going to miss you so much,” Anastasia said, and then we opened the backdoor to the stadium where the players entered.

I stopped both girls when we got inside. “Thank you for helping her through the darkest of times. I owe you. If there’s anything we can do, please let us know.”

Alina gave me a quick hug. “Same goes to you guys. Just because I’m halfway across the country doesn’t mean I’m gone forever.” Alina looked over at Anastasia. “Especially after this guy signed that deal with the Ravens.”

She winked at me, and I chuckled.

“Mommy,” Damien shouted down the hallway. “Look at what Ledger changed me into,” he shrieked, running toward her and showing her his shirt.

I laughed as Damien ran toward his mom and she lifted him up.

They were wearing my jersey, as promised, with my number on the back, but it was something Anastasia had created.

In fact, she’d done an outfit for almost all the wives here tonight.

She had enough business from our team and several more commissions that she was able to quit her dispatch job a few weeks ago.

“Alex,” Damien shouted and reached, grabbing the air like he wanted me to pick him up.

I grabbed him from her, and he wrapped his hands around my neck.

They had moved in with me a couple weeks ago when Alina announced she was going to Portland. At first, we were both worried about how he’d do with the move, but it went seamlessly. In fact, it felt nice that we’d somewhat settled into a routine.

“Did Ledger teach you how to skate?” I asked, and Damien nodded.

“Come on, sweetie. We have to go to our seats so we can watch Alex skate tonight at his first home game.” I set Damien down, and Anastasia grabbed the little boy’s hand. They started in the direction of the bleachers with Alina.

“Wait,” I called out. “No good-luck kiss?”

Anastasia laughed, then walked over and wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling my lips to hers.

“I love you,” I murmured against her mouth.

“I love you, too.”

“No kiss for me?” Damien chimed in.

Anastasia and I pulled away from each other, smiling.

“Of course,” I said, leaning down to scoop Damien into my arms. I held him tightly. “Love you, little guy.”

“I love you, Daddy.”

The hallway fell silent. The only sound was Alina’s shoes clicking softly against the floor as she turned to face us.

My heart swelled, and for a moment, I was overwhelmed by the simple, profound joy of being called Dad for the first time.

It was a title I had never imagined for myself, but hearing it now, it felt right.

I had always felt like a bigger figure than his mom’s boyfriend ever since I saw him being born.

Anastasia, sensing my surprise, began to cover up frantically. “He didn’t mean—” she started, but I gently caressed her arm, stopping her mid-sentence.

“It’s okay,” I said softly. “I want him to call me whatever he’s comfortable with.”

I dropped Damien down, ruffling his blonde hair. “Love you.” My voice filled with warmth and sincerity.

Damien beamed up at me, and this was exactly where I was meant to be.

Anastasia’s eyes softened, and she wrapped her arms around both of us, pulling us into a tight embrace.

In the quiet of the hallway, surrounded by the people I loved most, I realized that this was the start of something new, something beautiful.

Anastasia and Damien walked down the hallway to catch up with Alina, and I couldn’t help but smile as I watched my family, my last name and the number fifty-eight proudly displayed on their backs.

“Looking good from back here,” I called after them, and Anastasia’s laughter echoed down the hallway.

“Holy shit,” Ledger said. “The little guy called you Dad. How do you feel?” he asked as we headed to the locker room to do our pregame warm-ups on the ice. Ledger shook his head. “That’s intense.”

“Nah,” I responded almost immediately. “It was always meant to be.”

Ledger’s lip furled into a smirk. “I’m proud of you, man. You’ve come a long way.”

I shook my head again. “No. I got lost for a bit, but it’s always been her.”

“I can’t imagine dating someone or falling for them long enough to be with them forever. It’s such a foreign concept.”

“Ah,” I laughed. “You wait and see. She’s out there for you.”