Shrugging, I accept a water bottle of my own from Colby and take a seat at the counter, spinning around to face everyone in the living room.
“I’m not worried about the wedding at all.As long as we’re married at the end of it, nothing else matters.It’s not that I’m worried about the game.I really want to win so we have more time off.Otherwise, we have a game on Sunday, and that’s not how I want to spend the day.”
Everyone chuckles.It’s embarrassing everyone knows what we’ll be doing on whatever days off we have, but I don’t care.Who can blame me for wanting to be with the woman I love as much as possible?Especially when she’s as gorgeous and wonderful as Phoebe is.Other than not getting the $10,000 prize money, losing the contest hasn’t done a thing to harm their business.They’re getting lots of interest in their cupcake bouquets, and Jack has had to start carrying the cinnamon sugar cookies in his bakery because people are clamoring for them.He’s a great boss.He even offered to close the bakery so we could use it for a reception, but Teagan offered up one of the dining rooms at the local resort her family purchased with Mac’s family.They plan to renovate it into a joint Penhallow/Clardmore resort.Teagan’s family owns casinos, and Mac’s family owns a chain of upscale hotels.The aging golf resort is a stretch for both companies, but I’m sure they’ll restore it to its former glory.
“We’ll do what we can to win tonight,” Colby says, “so you can have a mini honeymoon before the finals start.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
Colby is true to his word.We win by a score of seven to one—two of the goals were mine.Unfortunately, it’s the only scoring I’m doing tonight, since my mother has decreed that once we kiss each other goodbye after the game, we won’t see each other until the wedding.It’s not enough that we’ve been apart for my away game, now we have to sleep apart when we’re in the same town.Colby has offered up his guest room so I can at least look longingly at our place across the street.My sister and Andie are staying over so I can’t sneak in.Andie would turn a blind eye, but I don’t trust Violet to not rat me out.
Bedard is doing a postgame interview in the locker room.Once we’re all showered and somewhat dressed, the press has access to us for interviews.I’m trying to be as invisible as possible so I can escape before anyone asks any questions.
I hear the sports reporter from one of the cable channels ask, “Burke, that was a masterful performance tonight.Something we haven’t seen much of from the Devil Birds in the playoffs.What was different?”
Bedard lifts his baseball cap and runs his hand through his damp hair before replacing it.“Well, Chuck, it’s the team’s wedding gift to King.He’s getting married tomorrow, and we figured wrapping up the series so he had an extra day off before we leave for the finals was the best gift we could give him.”
Like a murmuration of starlings, the small crowd of reporters turn to me.
“Ollie, congratulations!”
“Are you really getting married tomorrow?”
“Why so fast?”
The comments and questions are flying at me, and I’m not even sure who is asking what.
“Thanks.We’re getting married tomorrow in a small, private ceremony.I’ve been waiting to marry Phoebe since the day I met her, so it couldn’t come fast enough.”
Coach and Randi herd the reporters out of the locker room so we can finish dressing and leave in peace.Phoebe watched the game from the owners’ box so she wouldn’t have to deal with the crowds or any questions.I missed having her near the glass, but she sat at the front of the box so I could see her when I looked up.That was good enough.Now that I’m entering the box and seeing her, I know I was fooling myself.I can see how far away the ice is, and it’s too damn far.If I could have her on the bench during games, I would.Honestly, I was ready to give up hockey so I could stay with Phoebe after this season, but the extension for two more years after this season that the Devil Birds offered was so generous, I had to sign.My now-former agent didn’t tell me it was offered because he was hoping he could get a bigger offer based on my performance in the playoffs and get himself a bigger cut.
“I love you, soon-to-be Mrs.King,” I whisper as I lower my head to press my lips to hers.
“Love you more, soon-to-be my husband,” she says with a cocky grin as we end our kiss.
“Thanks for winning the game so we have more time together.”
“Anything for you, Phoebe.”
“Okay, enough of that,” Mom says.“Save something for the honeymoon.”
Violet rolls her eyes.“Ma, you know he’s not still a virgin, right?”
I can’t believe she said that.I’m not going to live to see my wedding because I’m going to die of embarrassment right here and now.
Thank goodness at least one of my siblings is sane because Finn steps in to defuse the situation.“None of us are virgins.Mom knows that.”
“But your father doesn’t need to know that!”Dad says, making us all laugh.
I try to convince Mom to let me drive Phoebe home, but she knows we’ll end up taking a detour or getting a room at the Devil’s Den and rolling up to our wedding in orgasmic bliss.With the skill of a Viking raiding a village, she whisks Phoebe away from me.Shelby pats my arm in sympathy.
“She did the same thing to me and Finn.It’s annoying but sweet.I love how your mom, both of your parents, have always welcomed us into your family.We’ve missed that since it’s just the two of us.I’m so happy our baby is going to have that.”
I gently wrap Shelby in a hug and kiss her cheek.I hate that she and Phoebe were ever lonely, but I’m so grateful they’re part of the King family now.
I’m alone as I drive back to our neighborhood as part of the procession from the Nest.All I get is a wave before Phoebe is whisked into our home.
Colby slaps me on the shoulder as we enter his townhouse.“Dude, you’ll see her in under twelve hours, and then you’ll be married.You can do it.”
