Page 48 of Pucking Unhinged
I look back up at him, stunned, my throat thick, eyes blurring. “Tristan…?”
He nods, firm. “I want to take your last name for a couple reasons, but I couldn’t tell you until now, obviously.”
I’m torn between awe and confusion because the thought never even occurred to me. All this time I assumed if we gotmarried, I’d be the one taking his name. But he’s standing here, so sure, telling me that he wants mine.Us.Me.
His hands frame my face, and I really need his touch right now. “I could never ask you to take the last name of someone who hurt you so much,” he says against my lips, his voice rougher than usual like he’s thinking about something wholly unpleasant. My heart aches because I know exactly who he means.
Mr. Vale.
There’s a flicker of tension across his face, his jaw tight as he adds, “I don’t want that name either. This way you get to keep your mother’s maiden name, and I get to have the same last name as you. And that’s all I really care about, baby.”
The way he says it, so certain, so incredibly steady, splinters something open inside me.
He pulls his hood up over his head and then turns, and my breath catches. Where it used to readValein block letters, stitched bold across the back, it now readsLeBlanc.Underneath, the number55.
My hand flies to my mouth, and I can’t stop smiling. My cheeks hurt from it, my eyes still wet, but I don’t care. I lunge at him and keep kissing him, his jaw, his lips, anywhere I can reach. I only pause my assault of kisses when something pops into my head. I pull back just to stare at the ring again, the soft pink diamond catching the light like it was made for me.
“When did you buy this?” I whisper, brushing my fingers over the stone. “We’re always together… I had no clue you even went shopping recently.”
“A few years ago, as soon as Sebastian and I sold our game,” he says. “It was my first purchase with my own money.”
I gasp his name and then ask, “That long ago?”
His eyes soften, but there’s something fierce behind it too. “I always knew I loved you,” he says quietly. “I wanted to marry you, Winter. I just didn’t think I deserved that honor.”
My heart twists, the weight of his words making my chest feel full to the point of breaking. “I can’t wait to marry you,” I breathe. “I’d marry you right now if I could.”
I press my forehead to his, and his eyes light up. “Don’t tempt me, I’ll take you to the courthouse right now,” he whispers, and I know he’s serious.
WINTER
It’s Christmas Eve, and the snow is coming down on the pond like a snow globe. We rented a cabin close enough that the drive barely counts. I love this time of year because the air is sharp with that deep-winter bite that settles in your lungs.
Out on the ice, the boys are acting like they’re kids again. Hayden chucks his stick at Callum, swears when it clatters uselessly across the frozen surface. He has no choice but to skate over and pick it up himself while Callum laughs at him.
Tristan isn’t playing goalie tonight. Instead, he’s got the puck, his strides powerful, cutting clean lines across the pond as he rushes forward. My heart stutters as my eyes catch on his back. It’s something I’ll never get used to seeing. Castlebrook navy jersey,LeBlancin bright white stitched bold above his number.
I smile.
Time has flown, faster than I can even process, and somehow it feels like he’s just only confessed that he’s loved me all along.
The snow is starting to drift heavier, fat flakes spinning through the dark, and my fingers sting even through my gloves as I fold down the lids on the thermoses of hot chocolate. Madiand Lilac are right beside me, all of us bundled in thick jackets and fluffy beanies. The guys would probably stay out here until the wee hours of the morning, but it’s almost midnight, and I think Lilac is going to turn into an icicle if we don’t head in soon. Steam rises from our breaths as we pack all the goodies up. Cookies, peanut butter balls that Callum insisted on but didn’t touch, marshmallows and the little light blue sprinkles Tristan always makes sure we have on hand. They’re my favorite, and they look like little snowflakes on the melty marshmallows swimming in the rich hot chocolate.
“I wish we lived here. It’s magical, and not just because it’s Christmastime. Every time we come here it’s just perfect,” I say, brushing snow off my hood with a grin. “Besides, if we lived here, we wouldn’t have to watch the guys impale themselves with tent poles every time we want to spend the summer by the pond.”
The girls burst out laughing, and I can’t stop myself from joining them, the sound carrying into the stillness of the night.
Madi pulls off her glove and holds up her left hand, snowflakes catching on her lashes as she beams. “I still can’t believe we’re all engaged at the same time. It’s so exciting. I’m glad we get to do all of the fun things together.”
We cluster together instinctively as Lilac and I whip off our left gloves and hold our rings up next to Madi’s to admire them. The gems glitter under the lights even in the darkness, and the falling snow only adds to the whimsical feel of the night.
Lilac’s teeth chattering breaks the moment and I rush to help her get her glove back on before fixing my own.
“Boys!” Madi cups her hands around her mouth, her voice carrying across the frozen pond. “Come on in, it’s getting late and Santa is coming tonight!” It’s a good choice not to mention Lilac is cold because dealing with Callum is not on our list of things to do right now.
All three of our guys turn toward us, barreling over with snow spraying at the bottom of their skates. Of course, Hayden and Callum are bickering the entire way, voices carrying loud enough to wake the dead.
“What is the issue now?” Lilac snickers, rolling her eyes because she already knows the answer. There’s never really an issue. That’s just how they are. If they’re not arguing, they’re not talking.
