Naomi is up to something.
How do I know? Because I am also up to something, and I see the signs.
There are phone calls she ends abruptly when I enter the room and furtive texts.
She’s also been wearing an adorably smug look on her face all week, the kind that sing-songs, I know something you don’t know!
Yeah, well—same. As she’ll find out tonight. I’m not sure when I’ll get to see whatever she’s got up her sleeve, but I need to focus on my plans before I can think about it.
I check in with Parker as soon as I arrive at the Summit on game day. It’s the first playoff game, and I’m not even nervous.
About that, anyway.
“Is everything set?” I ask.
She rolls her eyes. “Do you really doubt me, Cam? Of course. I’ve got seats and the suite. I’ll handle getting everyone there. Naomi will go up at first intermission and won’t suspect a thing until then. What about you? Are you ready?”
“If I feel like I’m going to throw up, does that mean yes?”
Her grin is huge. “Absolutely. You’ve got this.”
I sure hope so.
Before the game, I’m completely in my head about it all, which is why I jump when someone squeezes my shoulder in the locker room.
I’m surprised when I look up and see Alec. He’s around a lot, still giving out captainly wisdom and support. But I thought he’d be watching with Evie and Juno from the box I rented out for tonight. He’s even wearing his old jersey.
“Planning to jump in if we need you, Cap?” I tease.
“Not quite,” he says. Then he winks at me.
I’m not sure why, but between Naomi’s secretive behavior and whatever Alec is winking about, I’m suddenly feeling a whole new level of nerves.
“Guys, hey!” Coach calls, and the locker room quiets. “As you might have noticed, Alec is here. He’ll be calling our starting lineup, but before we get to that, I want to say a few words.”
He clears his throat and rubs a hand over his head. “This is a very special team. And this has been a very special few seasons for me. Winning the Calder Cup last year was amazing and winning it this year will be the cherry on top.”
The room erupts in cheer and chants. But Felix and I share a quiet look. I can see he’s thinking the same thing I am—this sounds like a goodbye speech.
“No matter what happens next, I’m proud of you. For your grit and determination, but more than that, for how you’ve become each other’s family.”
Van raises his hand. “Some of us became actual family, Dad.”
Coach glowers at him. Van has been banned from referring to Coach this way while we’re at official team things. Clearly, Van doesn’t value his life.
But I’m still stuck on Coach’s words—no matter what happens next.
What’s happening next? What does he know that no one in this room seems to?
Except maybe Alec. Beside me, he is utterly calm. A knowing kind of calm.
“I’ve loved getting to see some of you grow up. Dominik—you’ve shown an enormous amount of character growth this year. I’m proud of you, kid.”
The guys all clap, and Dominik’s cheeks flush. He mutters something about how he used to act, switching to Russian for what sounds like calling himself a nasty name.
“And the twins—you’ve been a piece we didn’t know was missing from our team. I don’t think it will be long before you get your call-up. I know you’ll be ready for it when you do.”
Theo and Carter, who have been very vocal about their long-term NHL goals, look ecstatic and practically glow under Coach’s praise.
“And the rest of you … you’re pretty okay too,” Coach says with a smile. It fades faster than the guys’ cheering. When he continues, his voice is much more somber. “One big change this year was losing our captain, so let’s get Alec up here one last time.”
Last time?
I mean, yeah—Alec is no longer captain. But he’s been very involved and often shows up to practices, conferring with the assistant coaches and our special teams coach.
Is Alec leaving Harvest Hollow? Is that why this feels like an ending?
With all the nerves I’m already feeling about later, I don’t need an extra dose.
I tune out most of the lineup, which is as expected. My mind is racing through things that could go wrong later and on whether or not I’m reading into everything Coach just said. I can’t stop wondering if all the tense conversations I observed over the past few months and the rumored visits from the AHL have something to do with his mood.
I’m dragged back to the room when Tucker says, “What about our other defenseman? You only called out one. Are we playing short tonight, cap?”
“I’m not your captain anymore, Tuck.” And with that, Alec pulls his jersey over his head.
I’m not sure why it’s so dramatic, but Dumbo gasps.
Alec grins. Then he turns to me.
“Your second D-man tonight is Cole—your new captain.”
Everything goes dark for a moment. Not because I pass out but because Alec has tossed his jersey in my face.
I pull it off, taking in the pandemonium in the room. The guys, most of whom don’t seem to share my shock, are on their feet, smiling and clapping.
This can’t be right.
I turn the jersey over, prepared to throw it back and tell Alec he’s lost it, when I see the name and number on the back. When I saw the C on the front, I assumed Alec was wearing his old jersey.
But it says Cole 11.
My mouth goes dry as I stare down at the letters stitched on the back. The clapping and cheers fade into a dull white noise in my head.
They want me to be captain?
A hand touches my back and Coach sits down beside me, leaning close so I can hear him over the noise.
“I can see the doubt written all over your face, son, which only confirms my choice. Some men lead by sucking up all the attention in a room. Some keep people in line by scaring them into action. You have a quiet influence I’m not sure you even notice.”
I’m set to argue, but he continues on.
“I’ve watched this year while you’ve battled whatever demons you’ve had. You fought, and these guys were ready to go into battle with you. I saw the turning point when you realized it was better not to do it alone. You are a strong, quiet leader who inspires men to be better. And the fact that you’re too humble to realize it is another point in your favor.”
Coach stands. I’m still speechless. He holds up a hand, and the guys quiet down. Then he turns, giving me a challenging look.
“Put on your jersey, Captain Cole.”
I can’t help but do as he asks. Whether I believe him or not—mostly not—I can see from the guys’ faces that they share his unfounded faith in me.
And the last thing I’ll do on a team is crush that faith.
I tug the jersey over my head, and when my head pops out, I’m smiling. The room erupts. Hugs, slaps on the back, someone tossing a ball of tape at my head. (Classic Van.)
The noise subsides, and Coach once more turns to me. “For your first act as captain, I’ve got a big responsibility for you. Normally, this is a decision I would make, but I want you to choose your alternate captain. You can take as much time as you need and it doesn’t have to be tonight but—”
“Dominik,” I interrupt. “I choose the Kid.”
The room goes silent. Dominik’s face looks as shocked as I’m sure mine did moments ago, and his pale cheeks flush. I can’t explain all the reasons why, but I’m certain he’s the right choice. Maybe, like me, he doesn’t quite feel ready, but I have no doubt after watching him the last year that he’ll grow into it.
Dominik is not smiling, but he has a determined look about him, and he gives me a nod. “I’ll do it.”
No one speaks for a moment, and then Van stands on the bench and shouts, “All hail Cole and the Kid!”
I’m not sure our locker room will be this loud even if we pull out a win tonight.
And only as we wind down the celebration to finish gearing up do I remember how much more I have to look forward to tonight.
Naomi
Camden is onto me. How can I be sure? I’m not. Not completely.
But he’s caught me several times doing suspicious things and just ignored it rather than asking what I’m up to. And I’m the worst at hiding things when I’m excited, and this is one of those things that has had me grinning for a solid two weeks.
The package has been delivered, Jordan texts.
I snort and call him. “Look,” I say when he answers, “we can come up for a code name if you want to, but we are not referring to Camden’s family as ‘the package.’ It sounds … bad.”
Jordan laughs. “Should I have told you that we’re driving to the Summit now so everyone in the car can hear you through the Bluetooth?”
“Oh,” I say weakly.
“Hey, Naomi!” Mike calls.
I’m going to murder Jordan. And I can’t even threaten to do it because then Camden’s whole family will hear me.
“Hello!” his mom says. She sounds a little distant, but I can still hear her just fine. She sounds like she’s trying not to laugh.
“For what it’s worth,” Camden’s dad says, “I’d vote for a code name like Eagle or Jaguar—something cool and tough.”
Faintly, I hear the sound of Camden’s twelve-year-old sisters in the background.
My stomach loops itself into another double knot of nerves. Talking to them all on the phone and on the occasional video call is not enough preparation for this surprise in-person visit. I might collapse in a monstrous heap of spent endorphins at the end of the night.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and force cheer into my voice while silently plotting ways to pay Jordan back for this. “Good idea, Mr. Cole.”
“But I absolutely insist you have to use our first names. It’s Scott and Kelli. Got it?”
“Yes … Scott.” When you grow up in the South, or anywhere with parents who still subscribe to Manners with a capital M, breaking the habit of calling adults Mr. or Mrs. is tough. Even when you’re an adult yourself. “Jordan, what’s your ETA for having the …” I pause. “The Wolf Pack at the Summit?”
“Wolf Pack,” Jordan says with another laugh. “I like it. The Wolf Pack will be there in twenty minutes.”
“Great. Greyson is going to meet you at the back door and escort you all to the suite. I’ll be down in my normal seats with Liam and Bailey until the first intermission. Then I’ll come up with Liam.”
“We can’t wait to meet you!” Camden’s mom says.
“I can’t wait to meet you too! How was the flight?”
“The flight was good! First class was an unexpected surprise.”
“You can thank Camden’s credit card for that,” Jordan says.
He assures me that Camden won’t notice the charges, which would give away the surprise.
Since they moved into the new house with the garage apartment, Jordan has taken over more and more administrative duties for Camden. With Mike mostly needing companionship and not any kind of hands-on caregiving right now, Jordan has added on household duties like cooking and grocery shopping as well as managing some of Camden’s business tasks.
Apparently, Cam doesn’t ever look at his credit card statement—must be nice—and has an accountant who reconciles everything. Jordan has his own card for purchases, and he insisted we put all the flights on it—with upgrades to first class. It was a good call, though I wanted to vomit when he told me the total.
Jordan had only laughed. “I don’t know if you are aware of this, but your boyfriend is doing just fine.”
“I know, but I’m spending his money without permission. It feels weird.”
“You’re doing something really amazing,” he’d said, his tone changing to serious and sincere. “It’s the kind of thing he wouldn’t have done for himself, and he’ll be thrilled.”
I sure hope so.
When the puck drops, I can hardly watch the game because I keep glancing up at the box where Camden’s family is. I can’t see them or anyone else, but Jordan texted me that the Wolf Pack is in position.
“Mom!” Liam says, grabbing my arm. “Look at Coach Cam!”
Even though Cam is no longer Liam’s Coach, that’s the name he’s been using, and no one’s arguing about it.
Camden is doing his defense thing, sweeping a loose puck away from the goal and sending it up the ice to Logan. “What?”
“His jersey! Look at his jersey!”
I look. And see nothing.
Bailey leans close from my other side. She’s become our game day companion, and one of my very closest friends. “Look on the front. Above the logo.”
I see the C while she’s still talking. “He’s wearing the C today. I think Coach had him wear it a few games ago too.”
“No, Mom—it’s bigger. And look!” Liam points down to the program in his hand, which we hardly need to look at these days. In the program by Camden’s name, he’s clearly identified as captain.
“They made Camden captain!?”
Everyone is standing to cheer for the goal that someone scored—Eli, by the sound of Bailey next to me—but I’m screaming for Camden. As though he feels my eyes on him, Camden looks over to our seats and raises his glove. I wave and point to my chest and the spot where the C is on his. He nods, grinning, and then, it’s right back to the game.
“Wow. He’s made captain and his family is here—this is going to be some night.”
Bailey laughs, then says, “It sure is.”
As we’re making our way up to the suite, an announcer says that there will be a slight delay due to some issues with the ice. I can see the ice crew down there with their shovels, the Zamboni waiting in the wings.
That will give me a little more time with Camden’s family, and I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. Good, probably. They’re wonderful, and I’m excited to have them here. But a little tiny part of me is terrified they won’t like me or Liam or that Camden will be upset rather than excited by the surprise.
“Hey.” Bailey pulls me to a stop just outside the suite while Liam bounds inside. Going to find the food, I’m sure. “You look like you need a minute. Just take a breath, okay?”
“Okay. Do you happen to have a paper bag? That might help.”
“Not tonight. Are you okay?”
I nod. “It’s just … a lot.”
Bailey grins. “You’re going to have a great time tonight, okay? Now, let’s get you in there before we lose any more time.”
I don’t realize until I’m opening the door to the suite that Bailey has dropped back behind me, waiting in the hall. “Are you coming?” I ask.
I don’t like the look on her face. It’s too knowing, and I am distinctly aware something is definitely up even before someone practically tackles me in a hug.
“You are simply too slow, and I can’t wait another second. Get in here!”
“Eloise?”
It is, indeed, Eloise. And true to her classic style, she’s wearing a pink dress with tiny ice skates, sticks, and pucks all over it. “What are you—how are you—oh my gosh! You’re here!”
She cackles and hugs me again. “I am, and I’m not alone.”
Grabbing me by the shoulders, she turns me so I can see into the suite. It’s a bigger one than we usually use—Parker said it was because the normal one was booked—and now I know why. What I think of as my entire Oakley family is here: my dad, Jake, Hunter, Merritt, Izzy, Sadie, and Benedict. Plus, Camden’s family. And Gracie has Panda on his leash. Mike and Jordan are in the middle of it all, and every single person is staring at me, smiling.
I don’t even realize that I’ve put my hands to my cheeks. “What is happening?”
Liam, who’s leaning against Jake grins at me. “Coach Cam out-surprised you, Mom. That’s what’s happening.”
He sure did.
The next few minutes are filled with joyous hugs, a few tears I manage to keep from overflowing, and so much laughter. Whatever nerves I had disappear. Meeting Camden’s family feels totally natural, and they’ve clearly been integrating with my Oakley people. Izzy and Liam are eating with Camden’s sisters, Panda at their feet, looking hopeful for handouts. Sadie is gesturing wildly while talking to Kelli, and Benedict, Jake, and Scott are having some kind of argument about the stock market.
Parker appears, hooking an arm around my waist. “Well?”
I give her a hug that I hope cracks at least one rib. “Of course, you were involved in this—playing both sides.”
“Like anyone could keep me out of things like this. No one could pull off anything without my help,” she brags.
“Yeah, well, next time, my big plan isn’t going to involve you, and you’ll be the one surprised.”
“Try me,” she says, and then suddenly, her eyes go wide. “Actually, there’s one more surprise.”
Someone behind me places hands over my eyes, and Parker holds me in place when I squirm. “Okay, now what? This night could not get any wilder.”
“We’ll see about that,” Eloise, who must be the one covering my eyes, says.
Then her hands disappear, and I blink a few times. In only about twenty seconds, the room has been transformed. All the lights are out and little battery-operated candles are flickering, lighting up the room in a soft glow.
Camden stands right in front of me. He’s not in his uniform, just the athletic shorts and shirt he wears underneath. He must have showered because his hair is wet and he does not smell like a man who just played a full period.
“What are you doing? Are you going to get in trouble? Oh, my gosh, hi!”
“I won’t get in trouble if we make this quick,” he says, and then his gaze goes behind me and his jaw drops. “Mom? Dad? Sarah and Elizabeth?”
“Don’t mind us, son,” Scott says in a whisper. “Just get on with it and we’ll see you after the game.”
“Well, there goes my big reveal moment,” I mutter.
Camden’s gaze returns to mine, and he grins. “You did that for me?”
“I did that for you.”
“Wow. I can’t—”
“Time,” Parker hisses. “We can only buy you so much time.”
“Right.” Camden shakes his head, and then before I can even react, he drops to one knee, taking my hand in his. I feel like I’m about to melt straight through the floor and down to the sublevels, where someone will have to scrape a puddle of Naomi off the floor later.
“Naomi, I wanted your family to be here for this, and I also didn’t want to wait until the end of the game.”
“Which is what we talked about doing so you wouldn’t have to rush,” Parker mutters from behind me, and someone shushes her.
“I couldn’t wait for two more periods of hockey to tell you that I love you and ask—Will you marry me?”
Behind me, several people sniff, and I find myself frozen, unable to respond, just staring at Camden. I have a sudden image of him the very first time I met him flash through my mind. Not on one knee, but crouched in Gator’s Groceries, reading a label.
And then, like some kind of movie playing at high speed, I can picture a future together. Laughing with Liam, Mike, and Jordan, with Panda running around our ankles.
Standing along the beach on Oakley while Liam rides a wave in next to Izzy.
Kissing under a sky full of stars.
I’m startled back into the moment by a wet nose, nudging my hand. Panda whines, looking up at me then at Camden as if to say, Answer the man before he has heart failure!
“Yes,” I whisper. “Yes, I love you, too, and would love nothing more than to marry you, Captain Camden Cole.”
His smile tugs at something deep inside me, and I duck down to wrap my arms around him. He stands, lifting me with him as he does.
“I can’t believe you did this,” I whisper in his ear.
“I’m not done yet,” he says back. Then louder, “Hey, Liam—you still have the ring, right?”
“You trusted Liam with the ring?” I hiss.
Camden laughs, and from beside me, Liam says, “You both trusted me with your secrets, and I kept them. So, don’t come at me. Here.”
Setting me back down, Camden takes the box from Liam, who gives us both hugs before joining Izzy and Camden’s sisters. I had almost forgotten this whole room was full of people. People we know and love—but still.
I feel suddenly shy as Camden opens the box, revealing a ring with a massive turquoise stone.
“It’s an aquamarine,” he says. “I thought you might like a ring in your favorite color and—”
I cut him off with a kiss. He doesn’t need to explain his choice—which is perfect—and he doesn’t need to say another word.
Though I’m normally not into PDA, especially in front of my kid, I don’t even care. Especially not when everyone around us starts to cheer.
Camden smiles against my mouth. “Just so you know—I should probably get back or I’m going to be in trouble with Coach.”
We pull apart, and he hugs me, lifting me up off my feet. I hear a champagne cork pop somewhere behind us.
“Eh. You’re the captain. What are they gonna do?”
“Good point,” he says.
“Congratulations, Captain.”
“Thank you. It’s been a pretty huge day. Did you really fly my family here?”
“I did. On your credit card, though. Are you going to say hi?”
“I should—but again, I need to get back to my game. I’ll be back after we destroy them. Also, my card is your card.”
“Sounds good to me. Hey, Cam?”
“Hey, yeah?”
I lean close, my lips against his ear. “If I ever pull away, promise you’ll run after me?”
“Promise. And you’ll do the same for me?”
“Promise.”
With one more kiss, he sets me down on my feet. And after quickly hugging his family, he practically sprints from the room. Parker shoos him out, but then pauses outside the suite frowning down at her phone.
I’m distracted by all the hugs and congratulations. Someone presses a glass of champagne in my hand and I take a quick swallow, the fizzy bubbles matching my current energy. My hand feels different with the ring on it, and I can’t stop staring.
“He made a good choice,” Benedict says, giving me a side hug. “Congrats.”
“Thank you. I can’t believe you’re all here. Did you drive?”
Ben smiles. “Absolutely not. I chartered a private jet.”
“Of course you did.”
Down on the ice, the game has started up again. I’m about to grab Liam and see if he wants to go back down from our seats when Parker comes in. She looks, in a word, devastated.
“What is it?” I ask. “What happened?”
“I …” She looks up at me, and her eyes are wild. “I don’t want to ruin the mood.”
“Don’t worry about the mood. What is it?”
“I think the Appies are in trouble. The league is forcing our owner out, which means … I don’t even know what it means.”
Below us, the horn sounds as the Appies score a goal, and I wonder if Camden made it back on the ice.
Now, I’m also wondering if he’ll still have a job.
“What can we do?” I ask, feeling my elation from the day’s events starting to come back down to earth from wherever they’ve been hovering.
Parker forces a laugh. “Nothing. I mean, not unless you happen to know a billionaire who wants to buy a hockey team.”
I almost laugh.
But before I can, Benedict steps forward and holds out a hand to Parker. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Benedict King, and I just so happen to be a billionaire who might be interested in buying a hockey team.”
