Brett's eyebrows lift, and so do the corners of his lips.
"But that ended with both of us fully diving into the game—with doing whatever it'd take for me to rewrite my future, on and off the ice. And now? Now I'm just realizing that I don't need that to feel alive anymore—I don't want it. I have the team and you guys and..." My voice fades away.
"And who, Cap?" Brett pushes.
I move my gaze to see him smiling from ear to ear. "And my girl," I say confidently.
He drapes his arm across the cushion and throws me a wink. Carter looks at Petrov, but he doesn't react.
"But that's no excuse for how I've gone about it. I should have kept you guys in the loop. Hell, I should have done that a long time ago. But I guess I was afraid that I'd lose you too. Or just afraid of admitting that I lost myself."
Burnsey and Ward both nod in understanding as a silence falls between us. I think that might be the end of it when Alexei chimes back in.
"You are man before player. You must take care of your heart and your mind before you can carry the team."
The three of us all go wide-eyed, glancing back and forth between him and each other.
"Wow, Stormy," Brett says in shock.
Ward shrugs simply. "What he said."
His statement replays in my head a few times before I finally add my thoughts. "I think that might be the most words I've ever heard you string together, Storm." He sucks his teeth, and I laugh before my face grows as serious as my next few words. "But thank you."
"And there's no truth to the rumors?" Brett asks quickly, his voice hopeful.
"None. In fact, I signed my contract for next year before you guys got here. Scott just left."
Ward and Brett both grin, Burnsey reaching his fist out to me. I meet it with mine, and I swear I see the faintest of smiles from Petrov as I do.
"So, uh, what happened today, then?" Carter asks, sitting forward.
I blow a breath through my lips. "Yeah, so… that's where the girl comes in."
"Wait," Ward says, his hands in front of him. "Who's this girl?"
Brett looks at me, and I feel my cheeks flush. They all wait in suspense as I work up the courage to finally say it aloud. So far, Brooke and I have lived in a bubble away from the rest of the world. A bubble where, if I'm honest, part of me would like to stay. But I also know that a girl like her—a relationship like ours—deserves to be seen from the suites, shouted through the speakers, and witnessed by everyone in Golden City.
"It's Brooke."
"InstaBrooke?" Carter asks, unconvinced.
My forehead creases like it always does when I hear the nickname. "Where the hell did that name even—nevermind. Yes, InstaBrooke," I mock.
Ward scoffs, his lips parted. For a moment I think he doesn't approve—not that I'd give one fuck if he didn't. But I finally feel like I'm gettingmylife back, and I never even considered that she might not fit into it.
"How the hell did you score InstaBrooke?" he finally asks. I huff out a laugh as I lean back on the couch. Carter stares at the carpet before he continues. "InstaBrooke," he repeats. "Damn, I bet that girl is a freak in the..."
Petrov and I both shoot forward, not a hint of amusement on either of our faces. Carter holds his hands up in defense, and I turn to Storm and tip my chin down in gratitude.
"Anyway..." Brett chimes in. "So, are you guys like… I don't know. Official?"
I roll my eyes, but my stomach swirls, nerves and excitement both mixing together. "Actually..." I draw out, almost embarrassed to continue. "I was hoping you guys could help me out with that."
The boys all look at each other, and I hold my breath for the teasing to come.
But it doesn't.
"Hell yeah!" Brett yellswithout question.
