By the time I cool down from the game and am ready to leave the arena, I have a text from Piper. Waiting for you xo
“Heard anything?” Declan asks.
I grab my bag and shoulder it. “They’re still here so I guess we’ll know soon enough.”
Outside of the locker room, we follow the hall down past the media to an area where family and friends wait for us.
With every step, my pulse kicks back up like I’ve just stepped off the ice. Not knowing has been the worst. I can deal with whatever happens, I just need to know. Look at me, I’ve become a planner. A guy who needs to know what’s what so he can get his family calendar in order.
Piper stands a step ahead of Everly and my mom.
“You were amazing tonight.” She hugs me quickly and I place a kiss on her lips.
“Thanks, baby.”
My mom comes forward next. “You were…” She pauses. “Congratulations, Ty.”
“Thank you.” My throat tightens. I can’t remember the last time she came to a game.
“How’s it feel to be back on top?” Everly asks with attitude, one hand on her hip.
“Feels pretty good,” I say. “Did you have a nice day?”
“I did. Mom helped me pick out a few things for my room here.”
The words register too slow and I’m just catching on when Declan lets out a whoop beside me.
“You’re staying, Little Sharpie?” he asks.
“Yep. As long as it’s still okay with Ty.”
I’m flooded with relief and happiness. The words come out gruff. “It’s still okay.”
I meet my mom’s gaze. “You signed off on this?”
“The time here has obviously been good for her.”
“She saw my report card.” Ev beams.
Jack, Ash, Maverick, and a couple of other guys are hanging off to the side.
“Looks like we’re still on homework duty,” I call.
They cheer and then Jack tips his head to me. “I made reservations for all of us. I’ll text you the address. Meet you guys there.”
I take a step closer to my mom. “Can you stay another night or for dinner at least?”
“I have to get back for work,” she says.
“Okay.” Awkward silence fills the space between us for a beat. “Thanks for coming to the game.”
“I’m glad I did.” She smiles. “You still get the same look on your face when you score a goal that you did when you were seven.”
“I do?”
She nods. “On the ice is always where you seemed happiest.”
I don’t know what to say so instead I lean forward and give her a one-arm hug. “I’m glad you came.”
“Me too.”
I step back and lace my fingers with Piper. She squeezes my hand. Mom and Everly hug their goodbyes, and my sister promises to call and check in more regularly. They seem like things are better between them. I hope so. And maybe someday Mom and I will get there, too. I want that, don’t get me wrong, but I know that even if that doesn’t happen, I have family in Piper, Ev, and my teammates.
Mom leaves from the arena and the rest of us head to the restaurant. I get pulled up to the bar with the guys.
“Hell of a game tonight, boys,” Jack says. “Keep that shit up and we’ll be playing hockey in May.”
We lift our glasses and cheers. I’m anxious to talk to Piper so I cut out and stride back to the table. She and Everly are huddled up together. I slow my steps as I get close.
“This is for you,” Piper tells her, and places the gold Gucci bracelet she and I passed back and forth so many times in my sister’s palm. Ev might not know the significance of it, but I do. Piper’s father gave that to her. It was her most favorite possession when she was Everly’s age. Still might be for that matter. I think I fall even more in love with her.
“It’s so pretty.” My sister wraps it around her wrist and Piper helps her clasp it.
Everly sees me hanging back and holds up her arm proudly. “Look what Piper gave me.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“I love it so much. Thanks, Pipes.” Everly squeezes her and then gets to her feet. “Grace is waiting outside. Is it okay if I go?”
“Yeah. Home by ten,” I say.
“Midnight?” A mischievous smile tugs up the corners of her mouth.
“Eleven. Final answer.”
“Thanks, Ty.” She hesitates before hugging me again. While she’s in close, she whispers, “Are you going to do it tonight?”
I glance at Piper. “I’m not sure. Waiting for the perfect moment.”
“Ask her,” she demands before pulling away. “Bye, Piper.”
I rub at my chest as she says a quick goodbye to the guys and then rushes for the front doors.
“You’re stressing again already, aren’t you?” Piper comes to me and rests her hand over mine.
I capture it and bring our joined fingers to my lips. “I’m good.”
“Liar.” She presses her body flush to mine. “I have something for you.”
“Oh yeah?” I waggle my brows. “I have something for you, too.”
“Not that. It’s in my purse.”
Piper tugs me toward her purse sitting on the table. She unzips a pocket in the front and pulls out something, hiding it in her palm.
“I know that you want me to go to Madison, and I understand why, but I have decided to stay here for grad school.” She holds her hand up in front of me and dangles a Whittaker keychain in front of my face.
I take it and hold her hand hostage with it. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
“Yes. I have given it a lot of thought. Their program is good, too, and I already know all the professors. I can keep tutoring and maybe even find a long-term substitute position. I love you so much, and I don’t want to spend any more time living away from you. We belong together.”
“Damn straight we do.”
“You agree?” The way she asks makes it seem like she’s surprised by my answer.
A small laugh escapes. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about all week. I mean, I want you to go to Madison if that’s what you want. We’ll find a way to make it work either way.”
“You weren’t planning to break up with me and ship me off against my will?”
I pull her against me. “Fuck no, but I was prepared to let you seduce me all week to keep you from realizing it.”
Her mouth falls open. “You knew?!”
“I’m sorry that I let you believe that I was pushing you away. It took me a little bit to figure it out. Though to be fair, every time I opened my mouth the past few days, you shoved your tongue down my throat.”
“I was trying to keep you from breaking up with me long enough to show you how much you mean to me.”
“Break up with you? Not a chance, baby. It’s me and you.” I snake a hand around the back of her neck and with my other hand I dig out the ring box in my front pocket. “Now my gift.”
Her eyes widen as I bring the box into view. “You asked me what was the first thing I bought when I signed my contract. This.”
I hand it to her, and she opens it slowly. Tears fill her eyes. “Why?”
“Because I wanted to share that moment with you, and I couldn’t. And when I realized that, I just knew you were my end game. I used to think relationships were all about timing, but since you came back into my life, I’ve had to accept that maybe there is no such thing as the right time. There is always going to be something I can’t give you or some event during the season I’m going to miss because I’m traveling. But I promise you that no one has or will ever love you more than I do. I love you, Piper. I’ve loved you since I was eighteen years old. Fuck yeah, we belong together, always. Marry me, Pipes?”
“Yes.” She nods. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I slide the ring onto her finger and then kiss her. The cheers from the bar make me pull back. The guys are all watching us with giant grins.
“She said yes,” I say, a thrill shooting through me.
Piper wraps her arms around me, and I kiss her. Damn, it feels good.
When we untangle ourselves, Jack hands me a glass and holds up his. “To Piper and the rookie!”
