I'm going to get my girl.
“Gianna!” I shout, my voice raw with all the emotion of the last few minutes.
When I spot her, she’s pushing through the crowd, climbing over seats, as she makes her way to me. She doesn’t care who she's stepping on or what anyone thinks. That's my girl. My chaotic, beautiful, little psycho.
Gianna finally reaches the glass where I am, and our eyes lock. She’s so fucking beautiful, and she’s all mine.
The arena is still going insane around us. My team is finally celebrating our hard earned win. Purple, gray, and black confetti pours down all over the ice. Cameras are everywhere, including the one that is right beside me. None of it matters.
“Open the gate!” I yell at security.
The two men hesitate for half a second before one of them rushes to unlock the small door that leads from the stands to the hallway they are standing in. Once she’s through, I wrap my arms around her and pull her over the other gate leading to the ice.
Once she is over the barrier, I hug her to me as I skate out to the goal, where I just ensured that the Stanley Cup trophy wascoming home with us. I set her down carefully so she’s back on her feet and just stare at her through my blurry vision. The tears are freely gliding down my cheeks.
“You did it,” she cries, grabbing my cheeks. “You fucking did it, Daemon.”
“I love you,” I say, the words full of emotion. “I love you, Gianna. I am so fucking in love with you.”
Her breath catches. Those warm, earthy brown eyes immediately filling with fresh tears.
“I love you,” she whispers. I know that I saw her sign, but hearing the words in her melodic voice is different. It’s everything I needed to hear after that win. “I love you so much it scares me.”
“Don't be scared,” I beg her, pressing my forehead to hers. “Be mine. Be mine for real. Be mine forever. I know we said that we were going to see where this goes, but I know what I want. You will always be everything I want.”
“Forever,” she breathes, gripping onto my jersey like she’ll never let me go.
Right there on the ice, I crash my lips to hers. I claim her publicly in front of twenty thousand screaming fans, my teammates, the cameras, and everyone watching us celebrate on television.
I'm kissing the girl who crashed into my life on New Year's Eve and turned everything in my life upside down. The girl who is twenty-two, reckless, and uses my credit card for late night Ubers. The girl who dances on bars, tries to start fights with grown ass men, and makes me feel alive in a way I haven't felt in years.
The girl who will be my wife one day.
She tastes like happiness and chaos and home.
My teammates are rushing toward us now. They gave us our moment, and it’s time to celebrate with my guys. Champagneis being sprayed everywhere, and the Stanley Cup is between Holden, Kai, and Coach.
As they approach us, I don't let her go. Even as she tries to pull away to let me have my moment, I hold her to me.
“You're stuck with me now,” I tell her, grinning like an idiot.
She laughs, and it’s that wild, joyful sound that I'm addicted to. “Good. I wasn't planning on going anywhere. I just don’t want to get sprayed with champagne.”
“Even when I'm old and boring?” I ask, brow raised.
“Especially then.” She kisses me again, pouring all her love into the simple act. “You're mine, Daemon Lucero. I didn’t fight so hard to get you just to let you go.”
“Well, you have me, Chaos. All of me,” I assure her.
Holden skates over with the Cup hoisted above his head. His face split in the biggest smile I've ever seen on the guy. “Lucero! Get your ass over here! We're taking pictures!”
Gianna tries to step away from me, but I keep her hand locked in mine. “Go with your team,” she says, nodding to the group of grown idiots dancing. “This is your moment.”
I shake my head, pulling her with me toward my team. “This is our moment.”
As we approach the group, I notice that all the wives and girlfriends of the guys have made their way onto the ice, including Angelina, Britt, and Sage. With a kiss to my cheek, Gianna goes over to the women, allowing me to take photos and drink with the men and Coach.
Once the cameras and press begin to dwindle, Gianna’s hand slips into mine. I turn to her, and there is a mischievous smile on her gorgeous face. “What the hell did you do now?”
