Kaz points to where his best friend is standing on a makeshift stage in the seating area across from where I’m sitting in the front row. “Thank you, Erik Thornton who was willing to step into the MC shoes my beloved grandmother—” He chokes up, and so do I.
One of his teammates gives him a side hug, and I swallow the lump in my throat, my heart going out to my amazing man.
“Although she isn’t here this year, I know she’s watching from Heaven. Knowing her, she’s sitting at God’s table, pouringthree fingers of top shelf whiskey, coercing the big guy to drink.” He pauses.
The crowd laughs, and I’m back to grinning again.
“The Way Home Initiative was more than a charity for my grandmother,” he says. “It was the cumulation of her life’s dedication to protecting the most vulnerable New Yorkers—missing kids.”
The crowd claps.
“This win is for you, Nana.” Kaz points to the ceiling, and the ensuing whistles and cheers are deafening.
He skates my way.
I bring my hands over my heart.
“Last, but not least, Harley Lancaster. She’s not only the publicist and organizer extraordinaire for this event, but she’s also my girlfriend. And in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past fifteen months, she’s the love of my life.”
A public declaration?
I’m dead.
He bangs against the tempered glass shielding, calling me over.
As I make my way down the row, fans pat me on the back and congratulate me. Too many emotions are bouncing inside me to say more thanthank you.
When I reach the door, Kaz is there waiting for me.
With a grin splitting his handsome face, he sweeps me up in his arms.
I wrap mine around him, cross my legs around his waist, and lean my forehead against his.
He brings his lips to my ear. “We won, so that means, I get to fuck you in my jersey.”
I’m loving this tradition. “I can’t wait.”
“I love you so fucking much, Harley.”
I don’t deserve him. “I love you with all my heart, Kaz.”
He places a chaste kiss against my lips. “Hold on tight. We’re going for a spin.” Kaz skates around the rink, holding me like I’m a prized trophy.
I’m overcome with joy and elation.
No way am I ever letting go.
This man… he’s my everything.
Yesterday’s The Way Home Initiative charity event at the Northview Ice Pavilion arena has the whole internet buzzing. And it’s not because of the eye-popping donations collected during the event to fund NYPD’s Missing Persons Squad to help reunite kids with their parents or because Devlyn Frostburg walked the event’s red carpet, hanging from Oskar Lindström’s arm, with her son Chett—and New York Supersonics player—strutting right by her side.
Nope.
It’s because Kazimir Lindström is officially better than a book boyfriend.
The normally emotionally constipated hockey player made a swoony public declaration, letting the whole world know the creative brain behind the charity event has stolen his heart.
Harley Lancaster, you’re a lucky bitch.
