IT ALL CAME DOWN to this.
The Comets had taken down the Rebels in five games, the Speed in seven, and the Storm in six, landing them a League Championship matchup with the San Francisco Bridgers.
Their final opponent was the same one I’d predicted would be here many months ago. I took no joy in being right about that when I was wrong about so many other things—more important things.
Trudging to the West Coast and back twice had been physically draining on the team, but they pushed through it, stealing Game 5 on the road, putting them only one win away from winning it all.
Game 6 was set in Hartford, and the city was buzzing with the prospect of winning that elusive championship trophy on home ice. Outside the arena, giant projectors were set up so fans not lucky enough to score a ticket inside could watch and celebrate—if it came to that.
Slowly—almost at a snail’s pace—I came out of the fog surrounding me after my breakup with Cal. And while each day it got easier, I still wasn’t myself. I wasn’t sure I would be the same carefree girl ever again.
Thankfully, my best friends gave me the time and space to sort myself out, providing support when I needed it. Tonight, they showed that support by standing by my side as the Comets took on the Bridgers.
Taking the long way up to the suites, everyone was waiting for me when I arrived in the family box. The mood in the arena was electric—you could feel the energy even from where we sat.
Giving Charlie a squeeze from where she was being held in Amelia’s arms, I fist-bumped Jameson and tousled Beau’s mop of curls before making my way to the adults. When Natalie hit rock bottom, she’d had three kids to take care of. If she could find a way to claw back out of that hole, then so could I.
Leo had been a piss-poor opening act for Jaxon. Maybe that’s all Cal was for me. Maybe my great love was still out there, and I just needed to be patient—not exactly my strong suit.
Amy and Natalie were seated at the chairs at the counter, but Lucy stood, her giant belly stretching the Comets T-shirt she’d stuffed herself into. Liam was frowning at his baby sister, but Preston kept a protective arm around her waist.
Leaping into action, I offered, “Why don’t you come and sit down? You look ready to pop.” Everyone was on baby watch—Lucy was due in less than two weeks.
Dismissing me with a wave of her hand as I pulled out a chair, Lucy replied, “I’m fine standing. I’m hoping the excitement will throw me into labor.”
Placing a hand on her belly, Preston chided, “Let’s not get too hasty. She still needs time to finish cooking.”
A mischievous spark entered Lucy’s brilliant blue eyes. “Maybe I’ll jump up and down a little bit and see what happens.”
Paling slightly, Preston warned, “Princess, that’s not funny.”
Gag me with a spoon. Princess? Really?
Liam was still scowling at the pair but chimed in. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to drive her to the hospital when you pass out.”
Preston snorted. “Yeah, right.”
Offended, Liam scoffed. “What? I’m completely cool under pressure.” Raising an eyebrow, Preston retorted, “You’re also completely unhinged.
I’m willing to lay bets that Amy has a female doctor.”
Liam crossed his arms. “So what if she does? That doesn’t mean anything. Amy’s more comfortable with a woman.”
A smug smile crept onto Preston’s face. “Uh-huh. And it would have nothing to do with the fact that you’d be punching out any man who dared
to venture between her legs, right? What are you going to do if there’s a male nurse on the floor when the time comes?”
Glaring at his brother-in-law, Liam’s arms dropped to his sides, fists clenching tightly. “Men don’t do that.”
Preston laughed in his face. “Well, then, I guess you’re in for a surprise.”
Natalie decided to end their bickering, leaving her seat to stand between them, holding up her hands. “Let’s be real. If something goes down tonight, I’ll be the one driving Lucy to the hospital.”
Liam was gearing up to respond when Amy eased herself off her chair, and he sprang into action, asking frantically, “What do you need?”
She simply rolled her emerald green eyes at her husband.
Poor Amy’s belly was as large as Lucy’s, but she wasn’t due until October. You could barely tell Natalie was pregnant under her Comets- branded tank top, and she was due only a couple of weeks after Amy. My redheaded best friend was in for a long summer of public appearances in Europe, and I didn’t envy the first person to ask her if she was having twins. Liam would probably tear them apart with his bare hands.
“Give her some breathing room, Liam. You’re smothering her,” Lucy chastised her older brother.
Leveling her with a glare, Liam replied, “I’m not smothering her. It’s called being attentive.”
“Oh, it’s something all right,” Lucy grumbled.
Amy gasped suddenly, throwing a hand to her round belly and doubling over. Everyone rushed to her in panic. Her whole body visibly shook, and the blood drained from Liam’s face.
Before he could call for help, Amy straightened her body, the source of her shaking becoming visible—she was laughing. Oh boy, was she gonna get it.
“Gotcha,” she declared, triumphant. Outstretching an arm, she held a hand out to Lucy, who promptly gave her a high five.
Everyone stared at her in stunned silence, but the anger radiating off Liam could likely be felt all the way down at ice level. He looked like he was going to explode.
Glowering at his wife, his voice boomed, “Amy Michaels.” Yeah, my best friend was a badass who’d kept her maiden name even in such a high- profile marriage. “If you ever pull a stunt like that again, you won’t like the
consequences. Say goodbye to any semblance of freedom. Do. Not. Test. Me.” Those final words were issued through gritted teeth.
“Yeah, you’re not wound too tight,” Preston said under his breath.
Amy didn’t cower in fear at her larger-than-life husband, who looked like an angry bull ready to charge. Throwing hands on her hips, she narrowed her eyes. “Listen up, Liam Remington.”
If Liam saw the glass as half empty, then Amy saw it half full—and she was even-keeled to boot. So, when she dropped her husband’s full name in that tone, it only meant one thing: it was time to grab the popcorn and pull up a seat. Shit was about to go down.
Before continuing, Amy took a deep breath in preparation for whatever verbal tongue lashing she had planned for Liam. “I’m already tired and cranky, and you’re driving me fucking insane! What is this ‘freedom’ you speak of? Because you barely allow me to use the restroom by myself as it is. I have at least four more months of this, so unless you want us to have one and be done . . . Back. The. Fuck. Off.”
Damn, the way she mirrored the end of his threat with her own was beyond classic. Leave it to Amy to dominate a mental game of chess.
Her rant was more than enough to shut Liam up, but he was still worked up enough that he turned on his heel, storming out of the suite and slamming the door open with enough force that it banged against the wall.
“Come for the hockey, stay for the live fireworks in the box,” I joked, trying to relieve some of the tension after Liam’s departure.
Natalie shook her head at Amy. “That wasn’t very nice. You scared the living daylights out of him.”
Lucy disagreed. “He deserved to be taken down a few notches.”
“He doesn’t do well when he feels out of control,” Natalie countered.
Amy sighed. “Well, he needs to get used to it. Life is unpredictable. If he thinks he can control exactly how any of this is going to go, he’s got another thing coming.”
Smirking, I chimed in. “You have to admit, it’s more than a little amusing seeing Liam flustered.”
“Yeah, I’ll probably pay for that tonight,” Amy mused.
Lucy leaned in close enough that Preston couldn’t overhear. “Sometimes that makes it worth it.” Her nose wrinkled when she realized who she was talking to. “Scratch that. I forgot you’re married to my brother.”
“No need to worry about that,” Amy remarked. “Even if I was in the mood—which I am not—he’s too afraid to touch me. Worst he’ll do is withhold a foot rub.”
“If it wouldn’t scar him for life, I’d share with him how resilient these little guys truly are.” Lucy affectionately rubbed her belly.
Grateful for the distraction my best friends provided, I prompted eagerly, “Do tell.”
A sly smile crept onto her lips. “Preston rocked my world with my vibrating wand right before I told him I was pregnant. I think we all know how those can pack a punch.” Lucy looked each of us in the eye. I may or may not have been the one responsible for each woman here having one of those under the Christmas tree one year. “Poor man thought for sure we scrambled this little one’s brain, but I am here to tell you, she’s just fine. If that did no harm, whatever Liam’s packing won’t be an issue.”
“Yeah, probably best we don’t tell him that story.” Amy smirked. “But good to know.”
We all shared a good laugh, and by the time the lights dimmed for the starting lineups and anthem, Liam had returned. Sliding his arms around Amy from behind, he buried his head in the crook of her neck. It would seem taking a moment to blow off some steam was exactly what the doctor ordered.
As we waited for the game to begin, the lull in conversation left me alone with my thoughts, which were often painful these days.
Even if the Comets lost tonight, I only had one more away game to coordinate before the end of the season. I was grateful I’d only promised my dad one year at this job. It was too hard to spend that much time with the team, knowing what I’d lost. Cal’s future with the Comets was still uncertain, but I wasn’t willing to stick around and find out. As it was, I couldn’t escape the memories of him everywhere I went in this arena and this city.
I needed a change.
“Three . . . two . . . one!” The home crowd counted down the final seconds before the buzzer sounded, barely audible over the roar of those
gathered to witness history.
The Connecticut Comets had won their first-ever League Championship.
On the ice, the players’ gloves and sticks were tossed in the air as they rushed off the bench to celebrate with their teammates behind the net. They were a giant mass of bodies huddled together, and every camera angle showed face-splitting smiles.
They’d worked their whole lives for this moment.
Beside me, Natalie was crying tears of joy and relief. The spouses were just as much a part of this as their counterparts celebrating below. They’d sacrificed so much to get them to this point, and would get their moment with their loved ones as soon as the trophy was handed out.
Amelia, Jameson, Beau, and Charlie watched on as Jaxon was declared the playoff’s MVP. They looked at him like he’d hung the moon, and tonight—as well as the events in the upcoming days—would become such a special memory for them.
My dad had won three championships as a player, but I wasn’t alive to witness any of them. I was glad that tonight we would honor his accomplishments as a coach. He was as much a part of the game as the game was a part of him.
I watched the trophy presentation on the ice. Jaxon accepted it first as their captain, and then each player took a turn hoisting it over their head, skating a lap before passing it off to the next in line. I could only picture them as little boys, imagining one day getting the chance to touch that sacred silver. For many of them, I was sure it was surreal.
Lost in thought, I jumped when Natalie touched my arm gently. Tearing my gaze away from the spectacle on the ice, I looked at her tear-streaked face.
Smiling softly, she asked, “Are you coming down with us to the ice?” I nodded. “Yeah. Go ahead down. I’m right behind you.”
“Okay. Don’t be too long. I’m sure your dad will want you there by his side.”
My sisters and their families hadn’t bothered to make the trip, so I was the lone Moreau daughter representative in attendance. Even with the games this series practically in her backyard, Chrissy hadn’t attended a single game when we were on the West Coast. They might not love the sport like I did, but it wouldn’t have killed them to show support for our dad.
Waiting until the suite cleared out and I was left alone, I took a calming breath. I’d gone to great lengths to avoid being anywhere near Cal for the past month, and going down to ice level could threaten any progress I’d made in mending my broken heart.
Reminding myself the world didn’t revolve around me and that I needed to be down there for my dad, I forced my feet to move on muscle memory until I reached the ice surface.
Today was a happy day—a bright spot in the darkness.
I needed to hold onto that thought with both hands to get through the next few days.
