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“That’s all you get,” I say.

“Honestly? That was enough.” Liam grins.

Aiden claps me on the back. “Let’s get out of here before you start enjoying yourself too much.”

I laugh. “Lead the way.”

As we step out of the club, the cold air hits like a slap and I welcome it. It feels like it clears some of the heat burning under my skin.

“Still brooding?” Aiden asks, walking slightly ahead, hands in his pockets.

“I’m not brooding,” I mutter.

“Sure,” Chase laughs. “We can see it on your face—the happiness.”

We pile into my car, the five of us—Liam, Zayn, Chase, Aiden and me—and I drive through the streets of London, the silence between us oddly comforting.

After a while, Liam breaks it. “You ever gonna talk about the whole long-distance situation?”

I glance at him. “What about it?”

“You’re in London, she’s in New York. You’re getting married in three days. Something’s gotta give, man.”

Zayn turns in his seat, eyes on me. “You thinking of asking her to move?”

I stare out the window for a beat, then speak, voice calm and collected. “No. I’m the one moving.”

Chase groans. “What?”

“After this season, I’m done with hockey,” I confirm as the car goes silent.

“You’re serious?” Liam asks, voice low. “It’s everything you love, man.”

I nod. “Yeah. I’m serious. And everything I love is in New York right now.”

Aiden leans forward, stunned. “Man, you’ve still got years left in you. A lot, actually. You’re at the top of your game. You’re the star, the legend. The best in fucking history.”

“Exactly. I’d rather go out now than later. And honestly? I’m tired of living on planes, of sleeping in hotels. I want to be home. With her. With the family I want to create with her.”

Zayn lets out a big breath. “Damn. That’s fucking big, Nick.”

“I know,” I say, more to myself than to them. “But I’m not doing this marriage thing halfway. I’m all in. She deserves it.”

Chase claps a hand on my shoulder. “Respect. But still a hard pill to swallow.”

Aiden grins. “Guess the grumpy bastard is finally getting soft.”

I shoot him a warning glare. “Say that again and I’ll leave you on the side of the road.”

He laughs. “There he is.”

TWENTY-FIVE

Sierra

The first thing I feel is a dull ache behind my eyes. The second is Thalia’s body next to mine, curled up in bed like a broken mermaid.

“I’m dying,” she groans into the pillow. “I regret even the glitter shots.”