Four minutes was an eternity in this game. Even being up one, I couldn’t rest easy.
When the lines rotated again, the Pandas hadn’t scored, and there was a mad scrimmage at one end, but no other shot made it past the goalie. At the final buzzer, the score remained two to one, and our boys were the cup winners again.
Kellan skated around the stadium with a giant golden trophy hoisted on his shoulder while the stadium shook from stomping feet, clapping, and screams.
The pride I felt as I watched them win had me jumping up and down and hugging Danielle like ten times. “They did so amazing,” she wailed, her eyes filled with tears.
“They’re talented our boys,” I replied, equally as teary.
When she released me, Hunter drew me back between him and Slade, all of us standing and clapping still. “They played their asses off out there,” he said, a note of pride in his voice.
“They really did.”
Kellan and Finley slammed against the glass in front of us and waved me down. “Come on, Shortcake,” Kellan shouted. I couldn’t hear him over the crowd, but I read his lips.
Talon, Slade, and Hunter escorted me down to the ice, but before my feet made contact, Kellan scooped me into his arms. He hoisted me up on his shoulder and skated around like I was the prize he’d won.
“I’m so proud of you,” I yelled, clutching his shoulder. “That was an intense game.”
He laughed, shaking me in an unsettling way. “Wasn’t my best game, but the boys pulled it together.”
Brushing my hand through his hair, I said, “You played brilliantly, Golden. Your passes were outstanding all night, and Fin checked everyone who came close. Your goalie needs his own trophy, I swear to the goddess, and Henderson was on fire?—”
Kellan swung me down into his arms and kissed the words out of me, right in front of everyone.
I got so caught up in his kiss, I barely realized he was still gliding us lazily around the now packed ice. When he handed me off to Finley, I got another victory lap in his arms. “I’m so happy you’re here,” he said, his eyes shiny as his voice cracked.
“I’m so proud of you,” I told him; my Grouchy had never heard that enough growing up. “You were brilliant out there.” He did his beary rumble, and I got another thorough kissing.
Eventually, they had to return me so they could shower and do their press obligations. “Where did all the others get to?” I asked when I was with Hunter, Talon, and Slade.
“Afterparty,” Slade said shortly.
Oh, right. The team was throwing a huge party in one of the warehouses on the edge of Golden Claw. Whether it was to celebrate or commiserate, everyone had already planned to be there.
“Do you want to go?” Hunter asked, examining me closely.
I shook my head, but then turned it into a half-shrug. “I mean, if Kel and Finley want to celebrate their win, you know I’ll be there. But I’d rather a quiet pack night at home.”
Hunter wrapped his arm around me, his palm possessively draped over my stomach. “They just want to be where you are. We can decide later, but first… there’s something we want to show you.”
That piqued my interest, but no matter how much I badgeredthem, no one would tell me what it was. And nothing slipped through the bond.
We ended up lingering in the stadium, waiting for the boys to finish up. Then all of us piled into the Benz, except for Slade, who had his bike. To fit, I perched on Finley’s lap, with my legs over Kellan.
“The Pandas played their asses off today,” Finley cheered, sounding elated but exhausted. “We were just slightly better.”
“It was a close one,” Hunter agreed, steering us through the city. The city lights flashed around us, lighting up the night, and for once the weather was perfect. The throes of winter had finally loosened its hold.
Kellan dropped his head back. “It’s bittersweet when the season is over, but I’m looking forward to the break this year. Coach said training won’t start for two months.
Finley’s hand slid down the side of my throat, as his thumb gently stroked my skin. The calloused touch sending shivers down my spine. “Which will give us plenty of time to work on your car, Ice. We’ll have it ready for summer.”
That had me snuggling closer to him. “I can’t wait. She’s going to be perfect for summer driving with the top down.”
Finley’s lips pressed to the side of my throat, such a sweet, simple touch. “Oh yeah, we should head for the beach and make it a proper vacation.”
The thought of vacations without having to run or hide left a deep ache in my chest. This time last year I’d been alone and in a dead-end life. Now the possibilities were endless, and I was loved endlessly.
