“I’ll come with you,” Volkov mutters, and follows him, leaving me standing there.
CHAPTER 61
JORDAN
“Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight.”
Tate stands at the head of the table before dinner begins, everyone’s eyes on him.
“And thank you, Walker,” he holds up his water glass to Luca, “for picking up the check. We’ll make it a big one.”
Everyone laughs, Luca grins, and I stare at Tate in his suit, looking so unfairly handsome.
Finally, an opportunity to look at him. And holy hell, justlookat him. Thick, dark hair. Enviable lashes and deep green eyes. Stubble along his sharp jaw. Tall, with endlessly broad shoulders.
Coaches are supposed to be red faced, angry, and aggressive, but Tate Ward looks like James Bond.
I will not think about the way his eyes looked as he came. I will not replay the desperate way he said my name. I will not imagine him losing control with me again.
I know we need to address what we did, and we will—once I collect myself and come to terms with the fact that nothing can happen.
“From the moment Darcy Andersen showed me your game tape,” Tate says to Luca, “I’ve had a good feeling about you.” Fond affection fills his eyes and there’s a pleasant pressure in my chest.
“It’s not just your game, Luca. It’s the way you show up every day, cracking jokes and getting on Volkov’s nerves?—”
Everyone laughs, and even Alexei’s mouth ticks up.
I don’t know why I wore the necklace he bought me. A dainty rose-gold chain that sits where my choker normally does. No one’s bought me jewelry before. If this isn’t anything, I shouldn’t have worn it, but his expression when he saw me wearing it, likeIgavehima gift, makes me happy I did.
“You’re happy to be here,” Tate tells Luca. “Everyone can feel it, and you know what, Walker? That matters. Yes, you will be one of the greatest defensemen of your generation. Yes, you work hard. Yes, you put points on the board. What matters more than anything, though, is your love of the game.”
A few noises of assent among the guys.Hear, hear,someone murmurs.
God, I like him. I wish I didn’t, but when he makes people feel the way he does, so important and valued and part of something?
I can’t help it.
“So thank you, Walker, for being an important part of this team. I look forward to what the next seven years brings.” He lifts his glass. “Cheers to Walker.”
The rest of the restaurant lifts their glasses and a chorus ofcheersrises up. Rory and Hayden hoot and holler loudly, Georgia puts her fingers in her mouth and whistles, and even Jamie and Alexei applaud, looking proud. Luca gives Tate a big hug, everyone saysawwand applauds, and when they pull apart, Tate is smiling and Luca’s grinning ear to ear.
My heart squeezes.
“Speech,” Hayden calls, holding up his glass, and others echo him.
“Okay, okay.” Luca clears his throat, looks down for a moment, and the restaurant falls quiet again. “I think a few of you know I’m adopted, right?” He glances around. “No? Okay. Yeah, I’m adopted. I think some people have a misconception when they find out, likeI have resentment about my birth parents, or that there’s like, a hole in my heart or something missing.”
Everyone watches Luca with rapt attention, surprised by this unusual display of vulnerability.
“I never felt like that, though, because my dads are the best.” He smiles. “My dad, Michael, coached me growing up. He was the good kind of coach, you know? Like Ward. Encouraging. Doing it for the right reasons. I always felt like that about my dads; they were doing it for the right reasons. They adopted me because they wanted me.” He clears his throat. “A couple years ago, I messed up my shot in the NHL and I thought that was it. But then—” he looks around the room. “Where’s Darcy? There she is. Hey, Darce.”
Darcy smiles at him.
“Darcy Andersen saw something in me. She’s like my guardian angel. I started playing with the Storm and it was my dream come true, not just playing in the NHL, but, uh. You guys.” He nods at Alexei, who’s sitting with his arms folded, jaw tight. “Volkov didn’t give up on me.” Luca shrugs, giving the table an unusually shy smile. “One thing I’ve learned is, in the end, I always find my family.”
My throat feels tight with emotion. Oh god. The dumbass Rookie is actually going to make me cry.
Luca’s mouth slants. “I know I have a lot to learn. I know I’m young and anannoying little shit, as Volkov says.” People chuckle and Georgia tucks her hand into Alexei’s, smiling. “But I’m honored to play with you all.” He nods once at the table. “Thank you.”
