Page 116 of The Puck Bunny

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Pacing around, I’m nervous as fuck. It’s a big game today. The Christmas Eve game always is, but this one is bigger for two reasons.

First, we can clinch our spot in the head-to-head standings against Montreal, our biggest rivals. My family, Lenny’s family, and Sara’s family are all coming to the game.

Second, I have a big surprise set up for Sara after the game. Shit.

“What’s your problem, old man?” Jonas asks. The team is lined up in the hall outside the locker room busting each other’s balls to loosen up before the game as usual. Jonas has taken to calling me old man more and more now but I don’t mind, though I pretend to because it gives me an excuse to shove him around and show him who’s old.

“I’ve got something going on after the game.” I keep my voice low.

He raises his brows and pulls me aside. “What are you doing?” He looks worried, like I’m meeting a fence to sell stolen goods or worse.

I laugh. Jonas is always good for breaking my tension. But only when Sara’s not around because she is my number one tension-breaker. Sara’s world-class for tension-breaking and everything else I can imagine. Yes, that’s my dick talking.

“I’m going to propose to Sara,” I say, leaking the secret to him because I’m busting with nervous energy.

He gives me a sound smack on the shoulder, grinning wide. “Good for you. Finally. Don’t worry—she’ll say yes. Where are you taking her to pop the question?” he asks.

“Center ice.”

* * *

I arranged for two security guards to bring Sara onto the ice at the end of the game. The Zamboni driver agreed to wait before he goes out there to clear the ice. By the end of the second period, all the guys on the team have heard about my grand gesture thanks to Jonas having a big mouth. But I don’t mind. Not even when Finn starts calling me Hollywood again.

When the final horn sounds, we’ve won four-two and all the guys stay on the ice because they know what’s going on and don’t want to miss the show.

“If you stay on the ice, then you’re part of the show and you need to behave,” I say as I join the circle around Finn at the redline. They agree and line up at center ice, the same way they did that day for the team photo Sara had directed. That’s how tight our locker room is, that’s how much I trust them.

I watch Sara’s confusion as she’s reluctant to go with the security guard but my mom and hers practically push her into the aisle. Since I know my shy puck bunny, I consulted with both moms and they were over the moon with my idea.

Coach gives her a double-take as the security guards walk her out onto the ice.

The trio doesn’t look steady, and before I move off my spot at center ice with my glove and helmet dropped at my side, Rafe and O’Rourke skate over to escort her the rest of the way.

She looks terrified as she reaches me and she’s rambling about how no one seems to know what’s going on and hopes everything is all right and how the cameras are on us and people are still in their seats and the crowd seems to be buzzing louder instead of going home.

“What the heck is going on, Quinn?” She takes my hand, hanging on for dear life as she takes the last step into my orbit.

I hold onto her and steady her. “Don’t worry about a thing, Sara. Everyone is here for you. Especially me.”

The furrow in her brow deepens and I smile. Then I slip my hand into a small pocket I had sewn into my pants, hoping to heaven it’s still there, and pull out a ring. A new one, sized properly to fit her in karats and finger size. I keep it fisted in my palm as I get down on one knee.

That’s when the place erupts and Sara starts shaking, but I hold onto her hand and keep my eyes on hers, showing her everything in my heart.

“Sara Bellagamba, I love you more than anything. Even more than hockey.” I pause because the crowd rears up in protest and applause.

Tears stream down her cheeks as she laugh-cries and frantically swipes them. “Oh my God, my make-up is smearing and I’m on camera.”

“You look beautiful. You’ll always be beautiful to me, inside and out, Sara. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” I clear my throat and then belt out the line that will convince her I’ve left everything on the ice for her.

“I want to make it with you.” I belt out the words as loud and heartfelt as I’ve ever sung them before and hold out the ring to her.

She stares at me with a stunned look on her face.

The crowd goes crazy and my team applauds me.

“Will you marry me, Sara?”