We haven’t made any plans for ours yet. As much as Everett might want me to have the same name as him and our baby, the season starting and then giving birth are my biggest priorities. We’ll get there, though, and I have no doubt that it’ll be perfect for us.
We chat away as we watch the rest of warm-ups, and as the guys begin to clear the ice, ready for the game to start, I put my drink down and prepare to slip down the row so I can take a bathroom break before things get too intense.
But before I can go, a shriek rips from my lips as a player slams into the plexiglass right in front of me.
And when I look up, I find my fiancé grinning back at me.
“Jesus, you scared me,” I mutter, despite the fact he probably can’t hear me.
“Turn around,” he demands, his cocky smirk firmly in place.
“I’m sorry,” I say, holding my hand to my ear. “What was that?”
“Turn around.”
Casey and Freya chuckle. “Go on, give the man what he wants. We want to win this opener.”
I duck my head, smiling while my cheeks heat with embarrassment. Slowly, I spin around, giving Everett what he wants.
“Fuck, yeah,” he barks, his gloved fists slamming against the boards. “That’s my girl right there.”
When I turn back, he’s looking around the arena, fuck knows who for. “Do you all see?” he asks no one in particular. “That’s my motherfucking girl.”
He rips his gloves off and presses his bare hands to the glass, gesturing for me to do the same.
Hesitantly, I do, aware that there are eighteen thousand people here tonight, ready to get this new season underway.
“Fucking love having you here watching me, sweetheart.” My chest tightens. “I’m gonna score a goal for you tonight. And when I do, I’m dedicating it to you.”
“Oh God.” My eyes flick up to the Jumbotron. I’ve seen numerous people showcased up there. I could live happily knowing that my face is never one of them. But then I remember exactly who I said yes to only a few weeks ago and resign myself to my fate.
“I love you,” he says as a deep male voice impatiently bellows his name.
I swoon hard. There are thousands of women in this arena, many holding up signs reading a whole host of things to temptthe players, but this man before me has chosen me to spend his life with.
“I love you too.”
I swear his grin lights up the entire arena.
“Can’t wait for you to watch me win.”
“You know it’s a team sport, right, Donnelly?” Casey teases as he pushes away.
He taps his fist to his chest, right above his heart, before pointing at me, then makes a heart gesture before disappearing down the tunnel where the rest of the team has already gone.
“Who’d have thought it? There was a woman out there who could tame Everett Donnelly,” Casey teases.
“My girl can do anything she sets her mind to,” Sienna says proudly.
“Oh, you motherfucker,”Sienna squeals.
“Hey, ref, did you forget your cell?” Casey bellows, and I burst out laughing, knowing what’s coming next. “You’ve missed a few calls.”
“Get off your fucking knees,” Sienna shouts. “You’re blowing the game.”
“Oh my god, there are two of them,” I mutter to myself.
“You can come and sit with me if you want,” Freya offers, who’s watching the game a little more calmly.
