She laughs, her eyes shining with tears. But she shakes her head. “Thank you for that. I love that. But what you’re doing here is important. This isbig, Alex. Declan needs you. The Grays need you. Portland needs you. I’ll move here. It’s okay. We can be together here.”
I’m frowning as I cup her face and look directly into her eyes. I need to be sure she hears this clearly.
“Nora, this is just hockey. Whatyoudo is important. Far more important than me coaching here. Anyone can do this job.”
She tries to shake her head, but I’m holding her too firmly. I smile. “Okay, notanyone, but a lot of people. Declan will find someone else. But no one else can do what you do, the way you do it. You makepeoplebetter, Nora. You makeheartsbetter. Jesus, that’s the most important thing. And I want that too. I want to be with youin Rebel. Please.” I lower my head until my mouth is just above hers. “I want a front row seat for all the things you do. I want to come to movie night, I want to help set up for all your festivals, and I want to pick wildflowers with you.Pleaselet me live in Rebel with you.”
It takes a second, but it finally sinks in, and she laughs as a tear slips down her cheek. “You’re actually begging to come back to Rebel?”
“I am,” I say sincerely. “Ineedmore Otter Club, Nora.”
She laughs again and hugs me tightly, pressing her face to my neck.
“And…” I say.
She pulls back and looks up expectantly. “And?”
“I think we can callthislove now, right?”
She nods quickly. “Definitely.”
Then I dip her back and kiss her right there at center ice.
CHAPTER 34
NORA
We spentthe night in Portland, and Alex introduced me to his extra-large, very luxurious shower. Also his extra large, very luxurious bed. But he was anxious to get back to Rebel so we boarded Declan’s plane late morning and we’re back in Louisiana in plenty of time for Alex to get ready for the Revelers first game.
We had thought about trying to keep his return a surprise for everyone, making a big dramatic moment out of him skating on the ice, but it is impossible to keep secrets in Rebel, so instead, Alex and Beckett showed Sam the Sportsman around town and accompanied him to his first crawfish boil. Which he loved, by the way.
Everything was a rousing success.
It turned out that I don’t actually have to be physically present in Rebel every hour of the day for fun and frivolity to reign. My friends made sure that every single detail was triple checked, and not only was there enough crawfish for everyone, but Sutton had even taught everyone the lyrics and basic choreography so they could sing and dance in the stands along with the teams.
It was some of the most fun I had ever had, and I spent most of the evening in tears.
Happy tears.
“That’s Declan O’Grady, right?” Andi asks, her attention on the owner’s box.
“Yep,” I confirm.
“Who are those people with him?”
“The woman is Iris Lee, she’s his…assistant, I guess? Friend. Bodyguard.”
“Bodyguard?” Everly asks, brows up. “Wow.”
I shrug. “Yeah. And the guy is Miles Stafford. He’s Astrid’s best friend and physical therapist.”
“Oh yeah, I read about him,” Everly said. “So they just hopped on the plane with you.”
“Well, it’s Declan’s plane,” I point out with a laugh.
“Right.”
“They’re very nice. I mean Iris and Miles are. Declan is…”
