I love you for it
But I’m good
Okay
See you after?
Nothingcould stop me
Taking the elevator up to the family suite, my stomach feels like a lead weight. I’m not nervous for the game or spending the evening with the girls, but I’m still trying to come to terms with everything that’s happened over the last few days. When my parents called us over for dinner, I didn’t plan on the worst happening. But them invalidating my trust?
I shake my head, walking toward the suite. I still can’t believe it.
But then Leon swooped in and told me Enchanted Petals is all but mine, and I’ve been a mess of emotions since. The easy thing to do would be to hide away and let everything overwhelm me. It’snotwhat I’m going to do. It wouldn’t do me any good.
I hear familiar voices as I cross the threshold into the suite. Angie and Piper are standing there, and the moment they see me, they hurry over to wrap me in a hug.
I guess that answers the question of whether they know what happened.
“How are you?” Piper asks. “Cash filled me in.”
“Yeah. I can’t believe what your parents did,” Angie says.
“Should I be worried on how gossipy the guys are?”
Piper pulls back and smiles at me. “Those boys don’t know how to keep anything to themselves.”
The diamond ring glints on her finger in the harsh overhead light.
“You got that right. But it’s because they love us,” Piper says.
“Is it okay they told us?” Angie asks.
I nod. “He’s only looking out for me.” I shrug a shoulder. “It’s kind of nice to have people in my corner.”
Angie smiles, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “You’re part of the Black Diamonds family now. You both are. So whatever you need, just tell us. We’re here for you.”
My chin quivers as I pull them both back in for hugs. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”
“I’m sorry for everything you’re going through,” Angie says, leading us toward the seats.
“I don’t want to talk about it. It’s going to make me emotional and it’s the last thing I want.”
“You got it.” Piper drops down into the seat next to me, patting my knee.
Tonight the only thing I want to enjoy is watching my husband play hockey, with friends around me who have turned into family. These women not only welcomed me, but their partners welcomed Declan into the fold. I can’t imagine how hard it is to get traded this far into your career, but Declan took it all in stride.
I don’t know what I’d do without him. Without these women. It has me smiling for the first time in days. Because while I might have lost one family, I gained another.
Cheers start to ring out around the arena as the guys take the ice. Even though it’s still early, everyone is excited for this season.
The hockey game tonight is the just the distraction I need. They are playing Detroit who, as Declan says, is one of the worst teams in the league besides the Knights. It’s easy to see the unmatched skill as the two teams take each other on.
Troy is able to get an easy goal right away, and Nick defends our goal, blocking the only early shot they are able to send his way. Cash and Declan are a force to be reckoned with, as Cash passes to Declan who gets a goal.
“Hell, yeah!” I jump up and down, screaming with the rest of the arena. “That’s my man!”
“Damn right.” Piper wraps an arm around me. “Great assist, Cash!”
