Page 68 of One Pucking Life

“Yes, beautiful, sunny, and seventy degrees—that’s my kind of winter.” Miranda grins.

She shrugs. “But besides that, it’s pretty much the same. I mean, work is the same, which is what I spend most of my time doing anyway. I’ve heard the seasons are amazing, so I’m actually looking forward to that.”

Ari sighs dreamily. “Yes, winter seems to last forever, but just when you think you can’t take it anymore, spring shows up. It’s so beautiful—flowering trees everywhere, and everything turnsfrom brown to green almost overnight. I know autumn gets a lot of love—and you were in Michigan in the fall, so you know how stunning it is—but there’s something extra special about spring. It’s my favorite.”

“Spring is gorgeous,” Elena adds, stretching her legs toward the fire. “But don’t let it fool you. We still get snowstorms in April.”

“That’s depressing,” Miranda mutters, sipping again from her bonfire-flavored drink.

“It builds character,” Jaden says with a smirk.

Laney leans into me, her head resting beneath my chin, and I press a kiss to her temple, breathing her in.

A lull drapes over the conversation. Right on cue, Miles clears his throat.

“Well,” he announces, lifting his drink with flair, “since we’re all cozy and dangerously low on conversation, I propose a game. Would you rather… have to skate a full NHL game in a Santa costume—or be forced to sing Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas’ solo at center ice during a sold-out home game?”

“I’m taking the Santa suit,” Cade says immediately. “At least I can hide my face.”

“Same.” Jaden nods. “No way I’m getting roasted on social media for that falsetto.”

“Depends.” Beckett shrugs. “Do I get backup dancers?”

“You’re unwell,” Elena mutters, shaking her head.

“What?” Beckett protests. “I can sing.”

“I know, babe,” Elena replies. “I hear you every day in the shower, and I hate to be the one to break it to you—but you’re not the best.”

“Babe.” Beckett clutches his chest, mock-offended. “That cut deep.”

Miles grins. “Okay, okay—next one. Would you rather have your partner read your last ten text messages out loud tothe whole group—or give your mom full access to your search history for a week?”

“Search history,” I say without hesitation.

“That was fast.” Bash laughs.

“I have a baby. My search history is 90 percent diaper rash, sleep regression, and whether or not you can overdose on teething gel.”

“Okay, but the real question is—what are your texts about?” Miles waggles his brows. “Something a little naughty?”

I roll my eyes and pull Laney closer. “That, Hollywood, is none of your concern. It’s between me and Laney.”

“So they’re dirty!” Beckett shouts with a laugh.

My brows furrow. “Like yours aren’t?”

“Honestly, he texts a lot about food and snacks,” Elena deadpans, prompting a round of laughter.

“Text messages,” Anna chimes in. “Jaden’s are pretty boring, and mine are mostly links to TikToks I send Miranda... and work stuff.”

“I’d say texts too,” Penny adds. “Gunner isn’t a big texter, and most of mine are scheduling-related anyway.”

“What about you?” Cade asks Miles.

“Man, I don’t know. It’s tough. I think I’d be disowned either way.” Miles shrugs with a cocky grin.

Laughter spills out again, mingling with the sound of waves and crackling wood. Caroline stirs in the monitor, then settles, still sleeping peacefully.

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