Page 133 of Axe-identally Married
“How could you turn on our community?”
“Corrupt, corrupt,” Debbie chanted.
Quickly, the whole crowd was joining in, chanting “Corrupt, corrupt, corrupt” as he ducked his head and slid into the waiting Suburban.
The scene was surreal. My head still ached, and I struggled to understand what had just transpired, but one feeling won out. Love.
For my community.
For my family.
And for my wife.
Breath hitching, I looked at Willa.
“Did you do this?”
She shrugged. “I had a lot of help.”
Epilogue
Cole
3 months later…
It was freezing. Though it was almost May, this weather was typical. We were all bundled up, waiting for the photographer to stop taking photos. I was uncomfortable with this level of publicity, but my brothers had insisted it was good for the town.
My team was here with me, wearing their jerseys and hats and holding signs. It was adorable. We’d fought to keep the hockey season from being canceled. Thankfully, Heartsborough had lent us some ice time to host home games, and we’d made do with the pond for practices.
I’d also started hosting a Sunday morning skills clinic on the pond for everyone from toddlers to high schoolers. It had been challenging, but Willa had convinced me that my love for hockey could get us through it.
But spring was coming soon, and although hockey season was over, I had kids from around the region wanting to continue their training. The damage to the rink had been substantial. Butbetween Owen’s construction company and my hockey industry contacts, we’d gotten repairs done in a matter of months.
A few weeks after the FBI took Chief Souza in for questioning, I’d driven down to Portland to meet with a rare watch dealer. He had found a buyer for my Audemars Piguet, and I happily sold it to pay for the repairs to the rink. I’d been holding on to that ridiculous thing for years, clinging to some kind of hope that my father had loved me and been proud of me.
It took me far too long, but eventually I realized that I cared more about possessing integrity and grit than I could ever care about what my father thought. So that money came in very handy, especially when it was time to buy a new Zamboni. A state-of-the-art electric model that drove like a dream. And I drove it a lot, mainly because it made my wife very hot and bothered.
Arthur and I had worked out an agreement where I’d buy and take over the rink. He was ready to retire, and I wanted to use some of my NHL contract money to give back to the community that had lifted me up and had my back when I needed it.
So we remodeled and expanded, adding indoor training areas, a basketball court, new locker rooms, and a homework lounge. The goal was to create a place for kids to spend time playing hockey and also just being kids. My team helped me design it. They were very vocal about their preferences.
And now we were here, ready to cut the ribbon.
The past few months had been a blur. I’d started auditing classes at UMaine, all while coaching and remodeling the rink. I was still in therapy, doing the work and pushing myself to learn and grow from my past mistakes.
“This is so exciting,” Willa squealed, clutching my arm. She looked beautiful, wrapped in a thick scarf I’d knitted for her. She’d been by my side through every step of the process.
Her quick thinking that night, stopping on the side of the road to draw my blood, had helped cement the evidence against Chief Souza and connect him to other outstanding investigations. We were still waiting for the official charges, but as of right now, he was on leave from the Lovewell police department and under the FBI’s surveillance.
The watch—which was, in fact, the one that belonged to my father—had been seized. I still had no idea how he had come into possession of it, but Parker had assured us that the feds were connecting the dots.
I smiled as the mayor walked toward us with his giant scissors. He’d no doubt prepared a long-winded speech, but I was anxious to cut the ribbon and get everyone inside.
“You nervous?” Willa asked as I waited to thank the town and give my brief remarks. Public speaking scared the hell out of me, but we’d been practicing together.
I nodded.
She popped up on her toes and tugged my arm, silently signaling me to come closer. I leaned down and shivered when her lips grazed my earlobe. “I’m proud of you, and I love you. I also can’t wait to go home and tear all your clothes off. I’ve been thinking about sucking you off all day.”
