Page 95 of Golden Goal

“Room for one more?” Sebastian calls after us.

“We’ll have to see,” Hadley says over her shoulder.

“This is us.” She comes to a halt next to a row of chairs. “I think there’s enough for everyone.”

We take our seats and I glance around. There’s not a lot of attendees, maybe fifty or sixty. It’s a very intimate wedding.

“Aubrey and Brody wanted to keep it small and low key,” Sutton says, leaning over. “Neither of them wanted anything extravagant.”

I spot Ansley and wave her over.

“Hey, Rebecca. Sutton. Can I join you?” she asks when she reaches us.

“I think so.” I glance over at Hadley, who points to seats on the other side of her. “Have you met Hadley, Holt’s little sister?” I ask, gesturing to Hadley. “Hadley, this is Ansley, our rinkside reporter.”

Hadley and Ansley greet each other as Ansley takes a seat, and they start to chat. Sutton pulls out her phone, and I contemplate getting mine out and scrolling too, but instead, I decide to simply enjoy the beautiful weather and my friends’ company before the wedding starts.

I tilt my face to the sun, soaking it all in.

I could get used to this—being part of this team that’s starting to feel more like family. I really hope it’s not too good to be true.

Chapter thirty-five

Holt

“Brod?” Wes calls once we’ve reached the landing on the second floor. “Hunt?”

“In here.” Hunter sticks his head out of a doorway.

“Hey, guys,” I say.

“Hey, Holt. Wes,” Brody greets us. “Want a drink?” He points at the bottle of bourbon and glasses set out on the dresser.

“I want to hug the groom first,” Wes says, walking over to him and wrapping his arms around him.

Brody pats Wes awkwardly on the back. I can’t help but chuckle. Brody is not a hugger.

“How are you feeling?” I ask to break the weird tension that Wes has created.

“Ready to make Aubs my wife.”

There’s a knock on the door, and a guy, who I assume is Brody’s older brother, based on the resemblance between the two, pokes his head into the room. “Hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Come on in.” Caleb says.

He steps into the room with a young boy, and introductions are made.

“This is so cool,” Brody’s nephew says, his gaze darting around the room. “I mean, Uncle B being a hockey player is one thing.” He waves his hands around as if having an uncle who was a professional hockey player is an everyday occurrence. “But the kids in my class are going to be so jealous when I tell them I met more of the Storm.” He practically vibrates with excitement.

“We’ll have to take a picture for you. As proof,” Hunter says.

“Some of us are retired,” Brody points out.

“Uncle B, you’re a coach now,” his nephew says with an exasperated sigh.

I laugh. I like this kid.

“Let’s have a toast to the groom before we get this show on the road,” Hunter suggests, pouring us each a glass of bourbon, and passing Brody’s nephew a mini can of soda.