"I can't believe this is really happening," he says. "Everything I wanted. Hockey. You. A future that's actually mine."
"I'm so proud of you."
"I couldn't have done it without you."
"Yes, you could have."
"Maybe. But it wouldn't have meant as much." He kisses the top of my head. "You pushed me to figure out what I actually wanted. Not what my dad wanted, not what everyone expected. What I wanted."
I tilt my head up to look at him. "And what do you want?"
"This. You. A life we build together." He smiles. "And maybe a Stanley Cup or two."
I laugh. "Always the competitor."
"You love it."
"I do."
We lie there for another few minutes before reality intrudes. I can hear voices downstairs. The guys are home.
"We should get dressed," I say reluctantly.
"Five more minutes."
"They're going to know what we were doing."
"They definitely already know. You weren’t quiet."
I groan and bury my face in his chest. "Oh god."
"Too late to worry about it now." He sits up, pulling me with him. "Come on. Let's go face the music."
We dress quickly. I steal one of his hoodies because mine are all packed. When I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I look thoroughly ravaged. My hair is a mess, my lips are swollen, and there's a hickey forming on my neck.
"Subtle," I mutter, pulling the hood up.
Declan comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "You look beautiful."
"I look like I just had sex."
"Same thing."
I elbow him gently, and he laughs.
We head downstairs hand in hand. The kitchen is already busy. Ashton walks in from the living room just as we appear.
"Well, well," Crew says with a shit-eating grin. "Look who finally decided to join us."
"Shut up," I say, but I'm smiling.
"We heard the good news," Pierce says. "Congratulations, man." He holds out his hand, and Declan shakes it; then they pull into a brief hug.
"Thanks. I'm still processing it."
"Boston's lucky to have you," Ashton adds. There's something in his voice—pride mixed with sadness. He leaves Sunday for the AHL in Seattle. He didn’t make the draft, but a year or two in the minors might get him into the NHL.
This is one of our last nights all together.
