Page 65 of Puck and Prejudice

You’re gonna make a killing.

MANUEL: I know! Wanna work tonight?

Not a chance.

MANUEL: LOL. Gotta go. Have fun!

You too!

I’m smiling from ear to ear when I put my phone away. It’s party central here in the VIP room with booze flowing freely. I make sure Lydia isn’t sneaking a glass of champagne, but she’s currently busy with her phone.

I turn my attention to the TV when Jackson, as the captain, is awarded the coveted Cup. He raises it above his head as if it weighed nothing, but I know that thing is heavy as hell. The cheers from the crowd intensify, and it gets louder in the VIP room too.

Jackson does his victory lap around the arena as the crowd chants his name. Pride swells in my chest, which is crazy. I’m not his girlfriend or even just a friend. No surprise, he hands the Cup over to Chad. More cheers erupt in the arena. This goes on until every player, and coaching staff has touched, kissed, and skated with their hard-earned prize.

After a while, people begin to leave the VIP room. Some must be going to the ice to congratulate the players. There’s obviously a limit to the number of friends and family that can go out there, so I’m surprised when Jane grabs my hand.

“Come on.”

“Are you sure?” I see that Jackson’s and Chad’s families are already out the door.

“Yes, I want you to come.” She leans closer and whispers in my ear. “And I’m sure Jackson does too.”

Heat spreads across my cheek. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m not blind, Izzie.”

Dad walks over. “What are you waiting for, Jane? Go congratulate your fiancé.”

“I want Izzie to come with me, but she’s being difficult.”

“Go on, darling. You two better go before your mother and Lydia return from the restroom.”

I didn’t even think about them wanting to go greet the players. I let Jane steer me out of the room. It’s better if Mom and Lydia aren’t around me when I see Jackson. Jane isn’t wrong. Somethingisgoing on between me and the team captain, and I’m too drunk already to try to hide it.

* * *

JACKSON

My face hurts from smiling too much. God knows I’m not used to it. But hell, tonight I can’t stop smiling. I’m at the top of the world. I glance at Chad and open my arms. “The job is fucking done!”

“So fucking done!” We hug, then heavy bodies jump over us.

“The cup is ours, motherfuckers!” Alex Kaminski yells.

There’s more shouting, and it takes a while before we break apart. Family and friends are coming onto the ice, so naturally, we search for them. I see Aunt Catherine first, looking as out of place as a camel in the North Pole. Her silver hair is pulled into a low bun, and I don’t see a strand out of place. The way she’s holding her Chanel bag close to her body as she tries to avoid bumping into any player is comical.

To be a pest, I open my arms wide and pull her into a tight hug. “Aunt Catherine. You came!”

She remains stiff as a board. “Of course, dear. Congratulations.”

I pull back, grinning from ear to ear. “Thank you. It means a lot to me that you’re here.”

“Well… you made me a promise, didn’t you? You’d be the best hockey player in the world if I sponsored your training. It’s only fair that I came to witness the fulfillment that promise.”

“Are you happy?”

Her expression softens, then she touches my cheek. “I am, Jacks. Your mom would have been so happy too.”

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