“That’s my girl,” he bellows as I spin back around. “Love you, baby.”
Beside me, Mom gasps. And when I glance at Dad, he’s got the proudest smile playing on his lips.
“I love you, too. Good luck. You’re gonna kill it out there.”
“Too right, I am. I’ve got all my family here watching me.”
My eyes burn, knowing just how big of a deal that is for Cole.
“We’re all here, man,” Dad confirms. “We’ll always be here.”
Cole’s own eyes glisten, and it kills me not to be able to touch him, to hold him.
A whistle blows somewhere behind him before a familiar voice begins shouting.
“Uh oh, now probably isn’t the time to piss Dad off,” Casey teases.
Cole waves at James before pressing his hands to the plexiglass again. As if we’re two magnets irrevocably drawn together, my hands lift until I’m mimicking his move.
Cameras flash around me, but with Cole’s eyes locked on mine, I don’t care. I don’t care about anything but the man before me.
“I want you out here when we win,” Cole says. I shake my head—not because I’m refusing, but because all of this is so unbelievable, so unexpected, so…incredible.
“I’ll be anywhere you are,” I tell him sincerely.
He blows me a kiss before pushing back from boards. But his eyes never leave mine, and as he drops to his hands and knees and starts thrusting, my cheeks blaze so red I wouldn’t be surprised if they could be seen from space.
“I don’t need to see that,” Dad grumbles beside me while everyone else laughs.
“Oh yeah. Freya is one lucky girl,” Casey shouts, making it a million times worse.
“La la la,” Dad sings, placing his hands over his ears.
Happiness explodes within me. There was a time not so long ago when I didn’t think I’d ever feel like this again. But thanks to that man out there doing unspeakable things with his hips right now, I’ve finally found exactly where I’m meant to be.
The second thefinal whistle blows, music fills the arena as lights flash and confetti explodes from the roof.
The Vipers win their final game three to nothing, giving Cole his final shutout of the regular season.
But despite stopping our opponents from scoring a single goal, it wasn’t an easy game. The Vipers deserved the win, though. They played hard. Each of their performances was full of energy and heart. Their love for their team, the game, and their fans was clear to see.
Chaos erupts as the guys all jump on each other, celebrating the end of an incredible season. It hasn’t always been easy. But they’ve done it.
Tears burn my eyes as I watch them all. I’m so proud of them, and I know I’m not the only one.
As I glance at Casey, I find her eyes are full of unshed tears as well as she screams and shouts for Kodie with Sutton on her shoulders.
“Come on, let’s go,” Casey says, grabbing my hand before dragging me past Kathleen, who is also emotional from watching her son live out his dreams.
We meet Parker at the edge of the tunnel before James pulls Casey in for a brief hug and allows us to spill onto the ice.
The instant Cole sees me, he shrugs off his teammates and skates over.
“Oh my god,” I scream the second he wraps me in his arms, lifts me from my feet, and spins me around.
If the world is watching, then I don’t feel them. I’m too busy being swept off my feet, literally.
The moment Cole stops and lowers me to my feet, his lips are on mine and he’s kissing me for everyone in the arena, and everyone watching at home, to see.
