Page 84 of Hat Trick
"I love you all, too. Now go play hockey!"
I barely make it to my seat on the boards before the lights cut out and the overhead projectors kick on, playing our pre-game show with music and sound effects so loud our chairs vibrate.
"You came."
I look around me, surprised to see Lauren and Cedar and a few of the other WAGs sitting next to me. I hug Cedar and Lauren and everyone else I can reach.
Cedar grabs my hand and squeezes it. "I'm so glad you came." I smile and blink back my tears. God, I've cried so much this past week, between heartache and overwhelming joy.
I open my mouth and close it a few times, unsure of what to say.
"You love them." Cedar says with a smile, repeating her words to me. I swallow again and nod.
Lauren leans over Cedar. "You know this is going kill Luca and Gabe, right?" She says, tugging at my jersey.
I laugh. "Don't worry, I have a plan."
Both teams take the ice for their warmups as the music continues to play and the crowd explodes. We're all on our feet, cheering our favorite hockey players. My smile widens impossibly as my three guys glide onto the ice effortlessly.
All three of them slide up to the glass and press their hand to it for me, soft, meaningful looks in their eyes. Carter's eyes fall to my jersey, and I watch as a passionate heat flares in them.
Good.
I swap Carter's jersey for Luca's for the second period, and Luca's for Gabe's in the last. The effect it has on each of them is immediate and visceral. The boys win, and I walk with the other WAGs down to the tunnel to wait for our men.
The energy in the tunnel is electric. The wives and girlfriends chat excitedly, and a sense of peace and contentedness settles over me, being here as a girlfriend.
Lauren, Cedar and I share small talk, but my mind is focused solely on Carter, Gabe, and Luca. My heart races as I anticipate seeing them again, face-to-face after everything that’s happened. I nervously fidget with the hem of the jersey.
Cedar holds my hand in hers and gives it a reassuring squeeze.
"They love you. It'll all be okay."
I give her a shaky smile.
The first to appear is Luca, his hair still damp from the shower, looking mouth-watering in his game day suit, a grin spreading across his face as he spots me. He breaks into a jog, not caring about the others around, and pulls me into a tight embrace.
“You're here,” he murmurs into my hair. “You wore our jerseys.”
I pull back slightly to look into his eyes. “I'm so, so sorry for this past week. I never should have left. I never should have let it all get to me.”
Before Luca can respond, Gabe pulls me from his arms, his grin even wider than Luca’s. “I never did get the chance to fuck you in my jersey." He growls in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
I can't stop the smile that spreads across my face. “I’ve missed you too, Gabe.”
Finally, Carter appears, his gaze locked onto mine. The intense look in his eyes makes my knees weak. He doesn’t say a word, just steps forward and cups my face in his hands, his thumb gently brushing my cheek. “Emily,” he whispers, his voice hoarse. “I’m so sorry.”
The sincerity in his voice breaks down the last of my defenses, and I let the tears fall. “I know, Carter. I know. We all made mistakes, but I’m here now.”
Carter pulls me into a fierce hug, and I know that everything will be okay.
"By the way, you're fired."
I gasp in shock. Dread sinking into my stomach.
"What?!"
"I should have fired you months ago. You're not my nanny. You're my woman, and you're Annie's stepmom."
