Page 37

37

Caleb

E ven if Nick told me off for telling the reporters he’s definitely going to play for Buffalo, I’m right.

I’m very, very right.

Aleks catches him right after the interviews and I stick around, wanting to find out what news he has—and, just as I said, Buffalo’s interested in him. They’re offering him an entry-level contract and I almost lose my mind from the news, amazed they don’t even want him to tryout first. Nick stands there, stunned into silence, and I punch him on the shoulder to snap him out of it.

Aleks laughs and gives him a moment to process the news, and after what seems like an eternity, Nick lets out a strangled laugh and buries the heels of his hands in his eyes.

“Nicky?” I ask.

“I can’t believe it,” he breathes. “Thank you.”

“I’ll be in touch,” Aleks tells him. “For now, focus on your last season with the Rams. Make it count, boys.”

When we get to the locker room, there’s a round of cheers for Nick, and not only because he scored today’s winning goal. They must have caught on because Aleks was around, and as soon as Vega outright confirms if Nick’s indeed playing for Buffalo, the locker room erupts in celebration.

“Nick,” Rhys says, and I swear he’s about to cry. He grabs Nick in a tight hug and ruffles his hair. “I’m so fucking thrilled for you.”

Nick blushes. “Thank you.”

Rhys pulls away from him, and yeah—his eyes are watering up. He rubs at his face furiously and turns away, only stopping short when he realizes I’m watching him with a smirk.

“So sappy, Captain,” I tell him.

He scowls at me. “It’s been Nick’s dream since I’ve known him, so sue me.”

“If you knew it was his dream, why didn’t you say anything?”

“Believe me, I tried. He wouldn’t even admit it, and he doesn’t like it when I interfere.”

I make a face. “What, so I interfered?”

“Exactly.”

Nick frowns at us. “Stop fighting.”

“We’re not fighting,” Rhys assures him, but the moment Nick turns away, our dear captain scowls at me again. Nick leaves for the showers and Rhys grabs me by the front of my shirt, hauling me closer. It catches me by surprise, and I gear up for a fight, but then his face splits into a grin. “You’re not so terrible, Jennings. Thanks for pushing Nick.”

“Soo sappy,” I tease again, though a grin takes over my face. Rhys smirks at me and lets go, stepping away from me, and a thought occurs to me. I ask, “Want to join us? Nick and I are having this huge dinner with both our families. Maddox is coming, too.”

Schultz, who’s been quiet until this point because he’s nursing his sore shoulder, quickly turns to us. “Can I come?”

I ignore him and focus on Rhys. “What? You joining?”

He nods. “Sure.”

Schultz calls after me, but I pretend not to hear him. Once we’re all showered and suited up, I head out with Rhys and Nick. Nick keeps pulling at his collar, and I realize that he’s agitated because we’re introducing his parents to my family. It’s for Mom—she wants to thank them for their help—but Nick’s still anxious with anything that has to do with his dad and stepmom.

Which is why I thought of bringing Rhys along, because I think his presence would help—and Maddox is coming too, since he’s pretty much part of my family.

I lay my hand flat on Nick’s back. “Relax, babe.”

Rhys makes a face at the nickname. “Ugh.”

Our families, including Maddox, are waiting for us at the stadium’s parking lot, in the middle of the still thinning crowd. Penny screams as soon as she sees me and hugs me tightly, and Mom kisses my cheek. At the corner of my eye, I see Nick hesitatingly approach his dad and stepmom. Rhys greets them as well.

My eyes snap to the jersey Maddox is wearing.

“What the hell is this?” I ask, flicking at Maddox’s sleeve. I glare at the name and the number on his back. “Why are you wearing Schultz’s jersey?”

“Caleb, language!” Mom scolds.

Maddox looks away. “I lost a bet to Killian.”

“Who the ever-loving fuck is Killian?”

Gasping, Mom’s face turns red. “Caleb! Please.”

“Sorry,” I say, not really all that sorry. Nick’s dad seems amused by my outbursts, and Nick’s shoulders are shaking with silent laughter.

“Killian is Schultz,” Rhys tells me. “You didn’t know that?”

Obviously, I knew that, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be difficult about it. I look around the parking lot as if scared that he’ll suddenly show up. "I thought your bet was to tutor him, not to wear his jersey?”

Maddox pouts. “This is for another bet.”

I stare at him. What the hell is going on? I’m about to grill Maddox, but when Nick flashes me a smile and shakes his head, I let it go.

The guy’s hold on me is ridiculous.

Not that I can complain.

Apparently, while waiting for us to come out, our families have been getting to know each other. I’m pretty sure Mom has been thanking Nick’s parents endlessly, and it seems that Nick’s stepmom has been asking her about my experience with Buffalo.

Honestly, Nick’s parents are great. They’re down-to-earth and kind. I can’t help but watch how they speak to my sister, who warms up to them immediately. Even the way Rhys talks to them is more casual than how Nick does, and I can only hope that Nick learns to become more comfortable with them.

“Where shall we go for dinner?” Nick’s dad asks, and I take a moment to grasp what’s actually going on here. We’re a huge group, in the middle of a parking lot—and the important people in mine and Nick’s lives are here.

And it makes me happy, how our worlds are colliding.

Is… this what being in a relationship is like?

“I want to go to that Mexican food truck Caleb told me about,” Penny announces.

Mom smiles. “We were thinking of a restaurant, honey.”

“But Caleb said it’s Nick’s favorite and I want to see what’s so great about it.”

Nick blushes. “Caleb talks about me?”

“All the damn time,” Penny says, and Mom’s face goes red again.

“Language,” she tells her. “See what you’re teaching her, Caleb?”

Nick’s dad laughs. “I’d be okay with going to this Mexican food truck.” He flashes Nick a knowing look and says, in a gentle voice, “It reminds you of your mom, doesn’t it?”

My boyfriend looks stunned at that question, but he slowly nods his head.

“Then it’s settled,” his stepmom says, after studying Nick. There’s nothing in her tone that suggests she’s anything but happy. “Send us the address, and let’s meet there?”

“Okay,” Nick says.

We all pile into our own cars. Maddox ends up going with Rhys, and Penny happily goes off with Mom. It gives me some alone time with Nick, who starts his car as soon as I climb into his passenger seat.

Filled with adrenaline, I suddenly slam my fists on the dashboard, and my dorky boyfriend actually jumps in his seat with a squeak.

“Caleb, what!?” he asks, all high-pitched.

“Nothing, baby,” I say. “Just fucking excited for everything that’s coming.”

He gapes at me for a long second, his hands gripping the wheel tightly. Then his expression melts and he bursts out laughing. “We’re going to play on the same team,” he says softly.

“Yes. Fucking yes. We’re heading to the NHL—both of us. The goddamn NHL.” I grin at him. “It’s been my dream since I first held a stick, and it’s unreal that I’m going to be doing it with you.”

His cheeks flush. “Nothing’s set in stone for me, yet. Aleks said they might send me to their farm team, or—”

I clasp a hand over his mouth, and he squirms under my grip. “Nope. None of that. We’re going to be on the ice together, Nicky. It can’t happen any other way.”

He smiles and I can feel it underneath my palm, and I let go of him when he nods at me.

“We’re going to be on the ice together,” he repeats slowly, as if he can’t even believe it himself.

“Fuck yes,” I affirm, and when I lean in to kiss him, Nick meets me halfway.