After rolling his eyes at Gavin’s remark, Sean looked to me. “And do you, Myla, take this goofball to be your husband?”
I yelled at the top of my lungs, “Heck yes, I do!”
Everyone started popping bottles of champagne and toasting.
“You maynowkiss your lovely bride.” The crowd erupted as Gavin scooped me up into his arms.
“Now, you’re my girl, forever. How does that sound Mrs. Hayes?”
Hearing those words roll off his lips sent electricity throughout my entire body.
“Absolutely perfect.”
Brayden slapped Gavin on the shoulder, addressing the whole group of people. “We have a game to get to, ladies and gents. Feel free to hang out. I set up TVs throughout the house so everyone can watch. Game seven here we come!”
Seven trotted over to Brayden, wagging her tail. “Not you, girl.” He threw the tennis ball she had dropped at his feet.
“All right, my love. There’s only one more surprise, but it’s at the rink. Simon and Karla will walk you through it. See you soon.” Gavin kissed me goodbye and ran out the front door with Brayden and a few of their teammates that had come to wish us well.
After a few glasses of champagne, it was time to head to the arena. “Ok, I’ll go change and then we can head out.”
Karla grabbed my hand. “Nope. You’re staying in that dress for a little while longer.”
Simon threw the strap of a duffle bag over his shoulder. “I have a change of clothes for each of us in here for when the time comes.”
Walking through the crowd of fans in a wedding dress was hilarious. Everyone kept stopping to stare as Karla and Simon escorted me to the very same seat I had occupied for that first game, right next to the penalty box.
We were only in our seats for a few minutes before the announcer came over the loudspeaker. “Will Myla Hayes please make her way to the Otters’ locker room? Again, Myla Hayes, please make your way to the Otters’ locker room.”
Gavin was waiting for me by the locked stairway to escort me down to the locker room. He was already in his pads and jersey.
“What’s going on?” I asked as he grabbed my hand.
“You’ll see.” We rushed down to where the team was hooting and hollering for us. “Congrats, guys!”
Gavin’s father threw an arm around me. “Welcome to the family, kid.” It had taken him and his wife a while to get used to the idea of me, but they had finally come around.
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Thank you!”
The opposing team was being announced and flooding onto the ice.
“Ready babe?” Gavin threw me up into his arms.
“Ready for what?”
The announcer started to get the fans fired up. “And the Otters have a very special announcement they would like to share with all of you this evening. Let’s give a huge welcome to your team, the Otters!” The fans exploded, leaping onto their feet.
Crosby led the way and Gavin followed him with me still swept up into his arms. “You might want to hold on tight, baby.”
He skated out onto the ice, my flowing dress trailing behind him as we made our way to center ice.
“Congratulations to the captain, Gavin Hayes, who tied the knot to this beauty only a few hours ago.”
The entire team started skating around us, waving their sticks in the air, cheering.
The moment had to be fleeting as Gavin skated me back over so I could head back up to my seat. “I love you!” he yelled, skating backward away from me.
I met Simon at the top of the stairs and he handed me my favorite jeans and a jersey that had Gavin’s number on it.
