Page 47 of Pucks, Lies, and Sticktape

HelovedJeannie.

Andthatmade every bump, every jolt, every ounce of anxiety completely worth it.

As the plane descended, the cabin buzzed with an unspoken tension, thick and palpable. Matthieu could feel it pressing down on him like a weighted blanket, making every breath feel slightly heavier. The air was laced with restrained laughter, knowing glances exchanged in the dim lighting. He didn’t have to look over his shoulder to know exactly what was happening at the back of the plane—Jett’s sudden bark of laughter confirmed it.

“Mad props to our captain, y’all…” Jett’s voice rang out, loud and amused, filling the space between them as he fist-bumped Boucher, Coeur, and Lafreniere. Heck, anyone within reach. Itwas both a tease and a toast, and Matthieu felt his pulse quicken at the blatant acknowledgment of what everyone had suspected.

“I didn’t think the boy scout had it in him. I’m impressed.”

Matthieu’s ears burned. He felt Jeannie shift beside him, and when she muttered, “Hopefully, she is too,” under her breath, he lost it. Laughter bubbled out of him, sudden and uncontrollable, making him choke as she playfully shushed him.

The landing gear hit the tarmac with a jolt, and the moment splintered. The time for playful teasing was over. The weight of what came next pressed down on him. He saw Salas stir, carefully scooping up his still-sleeping son while Jamie stretched and yawned beside him. The others were already moving, murmuring in low voices, gathering their things as the plane taxied to a stop.

Matthieu swallowed hard and forced himself to his feet, offering a steadying hand to Jeannie. When she slid her fingers into his, warmth spread through his chest, settling deep and sure. But then she tilted her head up, her lashes sweeping over those incredible, deep eyes, and it darn near wrecked him.

He nearly beat his chest like a caveman just to keep himself from blurting out how much he adored her in front of the entire team.

Instead, he cleared his throat, trying for composure. “We’ll be splitting up out here,” he said, an apology woven into his tone. “It’s gonna be fine, though, because the limo driver is going to take you straight to the hotel. I’ve got to head to the arena to practice for tonight, but I’ll see you soon.”

The words felt rushed, inadequate somehow. He wanted to say more—needed to—but time was slipping away too fast.

As they stepped off the plane, three sleek limousines rolled up in smooth precision, followed by the unmistakable presence of a team tour bus. The sight should’ve been familiar, routineeven, but this time was different. This time, his world was waiting for him.

“Come on,” he urged, steering Jeannie toward the cars.

The second limo’s back door swung open, and before he could react, a whirlwind of energy launched itself toward him.

“Hey, twerp!” he laughed as Katie barreled into him, her arms locking around his torso like a vice. She didn’t care about the plane, the people, the cameras—nothing mattered except the moment.

And then, just beyond her, he saw his mother’s face glowing with warmth and pride. His chest tightened painfully.

“Katie, this is Jeannie,” he began, but before Jeannie could fully process the introduction, his sister was already wrapping her up in a full embrace.

Jeannie let out a small gasp, her body stiffening for a split second before melting into the unexpected hug. Matthieu watched as her glassy eyes flicked to him, searching, questioning.

Katie pulled back just enough to beam at her. “I’m so excited to meet you!” she screeched happily, her enthusiasm uncontainable.

His mother stepped forward then, softer but no less welcoming. Matthieu’s throat worked as he turned to her, the gravity of the moment settling over him like a thick fog.

“Hey, Mama,” he said gently, his voice rougher than he intended.

Then, gathering himself, he reached for Jeannie’s hand again, lacing their fingers together like an anchor. “Let me present my wife, Jeannie, to you—if Katie can let up on the stranglehold…”

The laughter of his teammates rang out as they passed by, throwing teasing pats on his back, but Matthieu barely registered them. They were teasing him, Savage, and thankfullyleaving his wife out of the comments as she ducked into a nearby limo.

Time was moving too fast, slipping through his fingers like sand. His father wasn’t here—stuck at the hospital, trapped in an emergency surgery—but his mother and sister were, and that meant everything.

Jeannie’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as his mother pulled them both into a gentle hug. And darn it, his own vision blurred for a second, too.

“Family is everything,” he whispered, his thumb brushing over Jeannie’s cheek, savoring the soft warmth of her skin. “And I’m so happy you are mine.”

She exhaled a shaky breath, nodding, her grip on his hand tightening.

“Go with Mom and Katie,” he urged, his voice thick with emotion. “And I’ll see you soon.”

Jeannie hesitated, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his heart clench. Then, slowly, she lifted onto her toes and pressed the softest kiss against his lips.

He rubbed his lips together as she pulled away, trying to hold onto the taste, the feeling, the moment—anything to make it last a little longer.

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