Page 65 of Your Sharpest Edge (Ravens Hockey #2)

stassi

The social media intern who was starting this year was sitting next to us in the family and friends booth upstairs. “Nova, it’s nice to meet you.” I shook her hand as we slid in next to her. “You look so young.”

“I am,” she said. Her long black hair was straight on her shoulders.

She had intense angular features and was wearing a black shirt and black jeans.

“I’m eighteen, so this will be my first internship after school, but after a couple years of being here as an intern, I hope I can get my feet wet and do social media full-time for a team. ”

I nodded. “That’s amazing.”

“In fact,” she added, sitting up straight. “You’re the person who designed a few of the jerseys I see the wives wearing today.” She gestured behind us to the box where the rest of the team’s families were.

I nodded enthusiastically. It was never going to not be surreal to see my pieces on real-life people. The fact that I was making a living doing something I loved was unreal, to say the least. I felt the same way now as I did when I first started skating.

“I’d love to do a piece about you and showcase a few pieces. I think people would love that.”

I grabbed her hand. “I’d love that,” I exclaimed, and then we watched as the game started.

“Do you know anything about hockey?” I asked her, and she nodded.

“My dad . . . er . . . he grew up around here.”

“Well,” I laughed because I had spent so much time around hockey players, but I had no idea how the game was played. “My son and I may ask you questions then because we have no idea what’s going on.”

She giggled. “Sounds good.”

Alina and Damien were descending from the booth to the seats below.

I was going to miss her terribly. Memories of my first roommate, Layla, flooded back.

When I moved to OC, my ex isolated me, and I lost touch with her.

I feared the same might happen with Alina, but she kept reassuring me that we’d be separated only by distance, not by heart.

“Mommy! Which one is Daddy?” Damien asked.

My heart clenched for the second time. The first time was when he said it earlier.

Determined not to make a big deal out of it, I pushed through my anxiety. With Dimitri in jail and his rights terminated, my biggest fear was that Damien would feel abandoned. But Alex had always been there for us, a constant presence I’d relied on.

I knew I needed to talk to Alex about this. We had never discussed what Damien should call him, but Alex’s affection for Damien suggested he wouldn’t mind.

“Alex and Ledger...” I used their first names for now. “Ledger has the C on his shirt for captain and is next to Alex.”

“Wow,” Damien said, leaning forward to get a better look at the ice.

“Wow is right, sweetie,” I whispered, gazing out at the ice.

“Do you think Ledger will ever find someone?” Alina asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Why, are you interested?” I teased her.

“No,” she laughed. “He’s not my type, but I wonder if he’ll ever settle down.”

I glanced out at the ice and sighed. “Maybe he’ll meet the love of his life next season.”

Alina and I exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter. She was right—Ledger was probably going to stay single forever.

The game began with a burst of energy, the players gliding across the ice with incredible speed and precision. Alex and Ledger were a sight to behold, their movements synchronized. Damien’s eyes were wide with wonder, his excitement palpable.

Our new friend Nova, sitting beside us, leaned in to explain the game. “See, Damien, when the puck drops, that’s the start of the play. The team tries to control it and pass it to their teammates to score a goal,” she said, her enthusiasm contagious.

Damien nodded eagerly, his gaze never leaving the ice. “What’s that, Mommy?” he asked, pointing to a particularly intense skirmish near the goal.

“That’s a face-off, sweetie,” I replied, grateful for Nova’s explanations. “It’s when two players try to gain control of the puck after a stoppage in play.”

The game was mesmerizing. The players moved with a blend of power and grace that left me breathless. While figure skating felt like a choreographed dance, this was raw, primal, and utterly thrilling.

The crowd roared as Alex made a spectacular play, weaving through defenders with effortless skill. He passed the puck to Ledger, who, with a powerful slap shot, sent it soaring into the net. The arena erupted in cheers, and Damien jumped up, clapping and shouting with joy.

“Did you see that, Mommy? Uncle Ledger scored!” Damien’s face was lit up with excitement, his eyes shining.

“I did, sweetheart. Wasn’t that amazing?” I replied, my heart swelling with pride and happiness.

Watching Alex and Ledger, a deep sense of admiration washed over me for their skill and determination. It was clear they weren’t playing a game; they were living their passion.

The game continued, each moment more thrilling than the last. Damien was captivated, his attention fixed on the action below. As the final buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game, the crowd erupted in applause, celebrating the hard-fought victory.

“You should get down there.” Alina encouraged me. “He’s going to want to see you.”

I laughed. “I’ll wait until he’s dressed.”

Alina shook her head. “Go down there. I’ll come with.”

That was odd. She was acting so strange and pushy, which wasn’t like her.

“Okay. Fine.” I wasn’t going to fight her, especially since this was her last couple nights here.

“I’ll grab D. You go down first.”

I narrowed my eyes at her as I stepped over Nova, politely saying goodbye and letting her know I was excited to see her again soon.

“Why are you being so weird?” I asked.

She shook her again. “Just fucking go, will you? Pick it up.”

“Jesus Christ. Okay, fine.”

I added a little pep to my step as I walked down toward the front row.

Showing my ID to security, I was allowed to head down to the ice where the players were wrapping up.

Ledger and Alex were being interviewed, and though the stadium was still somewhat full, most people were heading to the parking lot.

When Alex spotted me, a huge grin spread across his face. He said something to the interview people that I couldn’t make out and then skated toward me.

“Hi, malyshka,” he whispered.

I leaned in as he pressed a sweaty kiss to my lips. “Why am I here? Shouldn’t I be waiting by the locker rooms?” I whispered with a smile, noticing the camera pointed at us.

“Is Damien here?” Alex asked.

I nodded, looking behind me where Alina was holding his hand.

“Come here, little guy,” Alex called out.

Damien ran over, and Alex lifted him into a tight hug.

“Come out here,” he whispered.

I glanced back at Alina, who had a shit-eating grin across her face. At that moment, everything clicked.

Holy. Fuck.

I grabbed Alex’s free hand and hopped over the boards, my heart racing. Nervous excitement washed over me, making every step on the mat electric. Damien’s laughter in Alex’s arms heightened the surreal sensation. As warmth spread through me, the world blurred, leaving only Alex and Damien in focus.

“What is this?” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the buzz of the stadium.

The news team had shifted away from us, and I saw Ledger standing back where Alina was, her phone held up, recording everything.

Alex knelt down, bringing Damien to his eye level while still holding my hand. The little boy’s eyes sparkled with curiosity and joy, his laughter echoing in the now quieting stadium.

“Damien,” Alex began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, “from the moment I first saw you, I knew you were special. You were always meant to be mine. You’ve brought so much joy into my life..”

Damien’s giggles turned into a wide, curious smile as he listened intently.

“I want you to know,” Alex continued, his voice growing more tender, “that no matter what, you can always call me Dad. You’re my son, my pride, and my joy. I promise to always be there for you, to protect you, and to love you with all my heart.”

My heart swelled with love. This man, who had embraced my son as his own, was everything I had ever hoped for.

Damien touched Alex’s face, and the innocent wonder in his eyes mirrored the awe in my heart.

“Do you think it would be okay if I asked your mommy to marry me?” he finally said to Damien.

Tears pricked my eyes. I wanted to drop down to them, but I didn’t want to ruin the moment.

“Yes.” Damien nodded enthusiastically.

“Malyshka,” Alex said, glancing up at me with a smile, “I have something important to ask.”

He stood, still holding Damien, and reached into his pocket with his free hand, pulling out a small velvet box. My heart raced as he opened it to reveal a sparkling ring.

“I’ve been given a second chance at happiness, and I don’t want to waste a single moment,” Alex said, his eyes locking with mine. “You and Damien are my world. Will you marry me and make our family complete?”

Tears welled in my eyes as I nodded, unable to find the words. “Yes,” I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. “Yes, I will.”

Alex slipped the ring onto my finger and pulled me into a warm embrace, Damien giggling between us. The stadium erupted in applause, but it felt like it was just the three of us, beginning a beautiful new chapter together.

Past relationships had left scars, making me believe love was supposed to hurt. But looking at Alex, I knew that wasn’t true. He had always been there, showing me that love was about kindness, respect, and unwavering support. He reminded me that being abused didn’t mean I was broken.

In his arms, with Damien between us, I realized I had found my home—not a place, but a feeling of safety, love, and belonging.

“Let’s go home,” Alex whispered, his voice full of warmth and promise.

I nodded, tears of happiness streaming down my face. Home was the life we were building together, a sanctuary where love thrived and fears were left at the door.

As we walked off the ice, hand in hand, with Damien giggling in Alex’s arms, I felt a sense of peace.

After years of pain and doubt, I was ready to embrace the happiness I deserved.

Alex had given me that gift, and I would cherish it forever.

It was time to go home—with my family, my heart, and my future all in one place.