I straighten, looking up to see Owen skating over to say something to Mav. His long dark hair sticks out frombeneath his white helmet, and I hum a sigh watching him maneuver expertly across the ice.
The guys skate away from each other. Owen skates backwards as Mav nods and points, and I don’t know why he seems so much sexier to me now. I guess it’s because of everything we said.I want you… so much.
He turns and looks up at us, and when our eyes meet, my whole body heats right up. I lift my hand to wave, and a big smile breaks across his handsome face. It makes me laugh, and I take his daughter’s hand.
We walk down the stands, a little to the right of the quad of girls giggling and waving at my cousin. Owen skates up to where we are, doing a hockey stop and sending an arc of ice against the boards.
Our eyes meet briefly before he looks down at his daughter, holding up the puck.
Maddie holds her hands over her head, jumping up and down, and yelling, “Daddy! Daddy!”
He grins, holding the puck over the top of the plexiglass. I reach up and take it from him. Our fingers brush, and I swear it sparks.
Maddie continues jumping up and down, her blonde hair bouncing around her shoulders as she waves the round, rubber disc at him.
He blows her a kiss, and she pats her hand to her lips over and over again, blowing her own kisses back to him.
They’re so adorable, and I think about how long they’ve been doing this together. I think about being part of this family. I think about making this family a part of my own.
I’ve always been a daddy’s girl. My big, over-the-top dad has always been my most fervent supporter, the most concerned person for my happiness, the biggest defender should I need it.
Owen is all those things for Maddie, and I want to join our hands and be a part of this circle of love like I saw in my vision, sitting in the yard with that silly spirit-dog, watching the stars swirl above us.
Looking up, I notice his eyes are on me, and Owen presses his fingers to his lips before extending them in my direction. My cheeks heat, and I quickly do the same. His chin lifts, and he turns, skating back to the rest of the team.
“We can go to our seats now!” Maddie grabs my hand, walking ahead of me through the stands to where Haddy and Heather are waiting.
Haddy holds Lucy against her chest facing the ice, and the baby seems to understand at least a little of what’s going on. Her blue eyes are wide, and she has a big smile on her face as she kicks her squishy baby legs.
We’re at our seats, and I turn around to see Gavin at the plexiglass divider, waving at his baby girl. Lucy kicks harder and squeals a laugh.
“Do you think she knows it’s him?” I lean forward to follow her gaze down to her dad.
“I’m almost sure she does,” Haddy says. “I don’t know why else she’d be squealing so much. She’s a total daddy’s girl.”
“She hasn’t had much choice in the matter.” I wave at Gavin, who’s watching his two ladies with the most smitten expression.
My heart squeezes, and I think about the conversation I had with Heather not so long ago, what I want… what I hope to have.
Haddy nudges my arm, nodding in the direction of the ice. “Someone’s got his eye on you.”
Owen skates across center ice, and sure enough, his eyes are locked on me.
A smile breaks across my face, and I hold up my hand to wave just as the Champions’ signature mix of Queen songs begins.
“Gav and Mav! Gav and Mav!”The crowd chants around us, and airhorns go off as Mav skates around to slap the puck straight past the goalie’s shoulder.
The Jumbotron lights up withMake Some Noise, but it’s not necessary. The place explodes. Air horns blast all around us, and we’re all jumping up and down screaming.
They’re facing off against the Atlanta Frost, which is Mav and Gav’s old team, and they were keyed up heading into this game. My cousin is on fire as always, but tonight Owen has managed to get two pucks past the goalie as well.
We’re down to the final period, the game is tied, and I’m holding my breath as Owen flies across the ice in front of us. He only needs one more goal.
My hands are clutched together in front of my lips, and Maddie stands on the seat right beside me, her little hand on my shoulder.
“Daddy’s going to get a hat trick! Go… go… goooo!” she shouts.
We all clasp hands, and I feel the slightest tap on my shoulder. I don’t want to tear my eyes away from the ice.
