He smiles. “Thanks. That’s nice to hear after… ten years.”
Chuckling, I say, “No problem.”
“For the record, I don’t hate you either, though you are kind of an asshole.”
“Guilty.”
We stand there in silence, watching Alex and Austen skate. I go back for a little bit, but then end up stopping near Cameron again because my legs feel like jelly.
“I need more leg days,” I comment, and he barks out a laugh.
“At least you didn’t fall. I’m going to have a bruise on my ass the size of Canada.”
“I’m sure Austen will kiss it better.”
He smirks. “Yeah… you’re probably right.”
A glance at my watch tells me we have a little less than twenty minutes left, meaning… I need to get this done.
“Well, here goes nothing.” I blow out a sharp breath.
“Good luck.”
I skate to the center of the ice. Alex waves as he flies by me—backwards. Austen catches my gaze and I nod. He shoves Alex to keep his attention, and so I drop to one knee, following Alex as he skates around. Austen keeps fucking with Alex, and Alex has no idea what I’m doing because of it. Austen is so fucking good at being a little brother, because he annoys Alex so muchthat he doesn’t realize that everything Austen is doing is purposeful, until he’s a few feet from me.
“Did you—” Alex starts, cutting off when he sees what’s in my hand. I hold it higher, offering it to him. “Fall?” he finishes, and I can’t help but smile, loving the set up.
“Only for you.”
“Fuck,” he breathes out.
I blink a few times, Alex’s gaze on the box. I pop it open and say, “Alex—”
“Yes! Fuck yes, I will marry you!”
“You didn’t even let me ask—”
“Don’t care. I want to marry you.” He reaches for the ring, but I pull it away. He frowns, then groans. “Fine. Ask. Hurry up!”
I huff out a laugh, not at all surprised about his reaction. He’s like a cat with a shiny new toy.
“Alex,” I say firmly. “You have changed my life in ways I can’t begin to thank you for. The last three-ish years of my life have been a wild roller coaster in the best possible way, and I have you to thank. I cannot wait to get the rest of our life started. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” he shouts, diving for me. I fall onto my back, and he’s on top of me, kissing me as we slide a foot across the ice. I see the box slide away, too, but my fiance is kissing me, so I kiss himback.
“I love you, Alex,” I tell him. “I’m so happy you said yes.”
“Did you even for a second think I would say no?” he asks, his eyes shining with humor.
“Not at all.” We both laugh, and then we get up. Austen is there, holding up the box to Alex, who snatches it out of his hand, but then I snatch it out of his.
“Hey!”
“I am putting the ring on you,” I say firmly, grabbing his hand to slide the titanium ring on his finger.
Austen starts clapping, and so does Cameron, but then he almost falls so he grabs onto the edge again. Alex keeps kissing me, and we only stop because the whir of the Zamboni fills the room and a second later, it’s coming out on the ice.
“Time’s up!” Austen calls with a laugh.
