“Claire, you deserve to be happy too.”
His words hurt, I know they’re true, I know I deserve to be happy but it just doesn’t seem like a possibility. He’s been my family for a really long time, longer than I can remember, I should have gone to him… but I was so scared.
He grabs my shoulders and pushes me back to I can look him in the eyes, “I will always be here for you. Never think you’re a burden for something that isn’t in your control… you are not a burden to anyone Claire Taylor.”
I nod my head, willing myself to believe his words.
“Good, now wipe those tears. There’s some hockey boys waiting for you out there.”
* * *
As I finish lacing up my skates, a few of the other team-members surround me. They tower over me, watching me carefully and blocking my view.
I raise a brow at them and go to stand, “what’s going on?” I ask carefully. No one answers me, instead I get offered a hand and brought to centre ice. I don’t notice the chair until I’m being placed on it, and the guys continue to stand around me in a circle.
“Guys, we have to practice, stop fucking around or Tony will have all of our heads on a stick” I say, still wondering what theeverliving fuckis going on with them.
“He knows what we’re doing” one of them shrugs. “Hit it Tony!”
Everything by Micheal Bible comes blasting through the speakers, bouncing off the walls and filling the arena. The group of hockey players part and August comes skating towards me. He lip-syncs the words, smiling at me while he skates closer.
My eyes grow wide while my brain searches for a reasonable explanation to all of this. The last person I would expect to serenade me, isAugust. He’s so serious all the time, this can’t be his idea.
Miller comes out next, and I have to slam a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. He tousles my hair then joins August at my side, both of them laughing while Davis comes bursting through the group of men. He’s definitely the most theatrical so far, with that goofy smile splayed across his face and the wild hand gestures.
I finally remove my hand and let my smile break free, a mixture of shock and pure joy swirling around inside me. These boys never cease to amaze me.
Blair rolls his eyes, and proceeds to try and top Davis’s performance. I have to hand it to him, he does a great job, but I don’t know who beat who.
My laugh can barely be heard over the music, but I can tell the boys are happy with my reaction, seeing as they’re smiling just as hard.
My whole world slows as Lucas comes into view. I grip the sides of my chair and pray that no one can hear how hard my heart is beating. He looks fuckingbeautiful.
His hair is pushed back, and the hockey equipment does nothing to hide how big he is… it almost enhances his natural physique. When he gets close I can smell his cologne, it’s woodsy and dark and perfectly him.
Lucas grabs the arms to the chair and starts spinning me around, the rest of them spinning with me while singing the lyrics to the song. Every part of me vibrates with happiness, they’re doing this forme. They’re doing it to put a smile back on my face, to bring back the old me.
Davis takes over, grabbing the chair and turning me away from everyone. He smacks a big kiss on my cheek, and I swear I hear Lucas growl from behind me. Maybe it’s bad, but I like that he’s jealous… it makes me feel wanted.
Even though there’s nothing to worry about between Johnny and I… I kind of want to make Lucas sweat a little bit.
My hands reach for Davis, and he grabs them. I pull him into a hug and hold on for dear life, I don’t want him —or any of them for that matter— to leave me ever again.
“Don’t let go” I whisper in his ear.
He holds on tighter, “never again… but I think I’ll have to fight Lucas for you.”
I look over my shoulder, Lucas has a tight scowl on his face with his arms crossed. He looks like he’s about to blow a fuse.
I throw my head back and laugh, “no offence, but he doesn’t have anything to worry about. I’m his, I always have been.”
Davis smirks, “make him sweat before you tell him that. I like watching him squirm.” He winks at me before spinning the chair back to the group, then joins the very long line in front of me.
One by one, the team hands me individual stems of my favourite flower. By the end I’m a crying mess, I’m so overwhelmed by all of this. Sure it’s not anything crazy, but it’s still special. They put in time and effort to organize this, not to mention they had to buck up and ask Tony for permission.
Tony would do anything for me, but the boys were definitely afraid to ask him to delay practice for this.
My eyes are clouded with tears, I barely see Lucas as he gets down on his knees in front of me. A soft hand makes its way to my face, wiping the tears from my cheeks, “read this when you’re alone…” he says.
