Page 105 of Snapping the Ice
“This might be a long day.” Standing along with Lucas, weheaded into the kitchen with Maddy. I was pretty sure Mom and Stella could talk for a few more hours. But it was all good.
Maddy grabbed a wine bottle from the refrigerator. “So, guys, when’s the wedding?” She rummaged through my kitchen drawers.
My heart about stopped and my stare landed on Lucas’s. “Um…”
“I think we should live together for at least six months, don’t you, babe?” Grabbing my nape, Lucas pressed a hard kiss on my mouth.
“Yes, six months.” Holy hell, was he serious? He was.
Maddy poured three wines and handed them to each of us. “Okay, a toast then. To my brother’s engagement to the hot hockey player.”
“Maddy.” I freed a soft snort, holding up my wine. “We don’t have rings, and we haven’t?—”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered. If we’re going to live together, we might as well be engaged.” Wagging his brows at me, Lucas tapped his glass on mine and sipped his drink.
“What am I missing?” Mom stood.
“Oh, your son just got engaged. No biggy.” Maddy hit her glass on mine and drank it.
Were they all crazy? I gaped at Lucas.
“Babe, you know how the Hopkins boys are. We don’t stop until we get what we want.” Hooking his arm around my waist, he kissed my cheek. “And I want you.”
EPILOGUE
LUCAS
THREE MONTHS LATER
I stopped my Jeep at the curb of the house I’d bought for us, a sprawling single-story adobe-style home in Scottsdale, not too far from downtown and close enough to Ezra’s new, larger studio, he could still walk to it. Palm trees rose on either side of the covered, squared-off portico. The place was modest by most pro hockey player standards, with three bedrooms and two baths, but it was perfect for us.
Today was move-in day, and the guys would all be here to help unpack. As the moving truck backed into the driveway, I strolled to Ezra, parking his Jetta across the street. He had to take a few days’ break from his busy schedule.
With a grin, he climbed out of his car and met me in the driveway, holding his hand over his eyes, shielding them from the intense sunshine. It hadn’t rained in months, but there were clouds in the distance.
“Hey, babe.” I kissed his cheek and grabbed his hand. “We’ll have to instruct these guys where to put everything.” Ezra had been on a buying spree, storing furniture and decorations in the corners of his studio.
“I know.” He grinned like a kid in a candy shop. “I have a plan laid out in my head.” He brushed his long hair off his shoulder and held his chin high.
He was not the same man I’d met all those months ago. With therapy and support, he’d blossomed to be more stunning each day as the worry lines and wary expression had now gone. And his confidence had my cock in overdrive.
We strolled to the garage door and opened it from a keypad. It slowly groaned open. Ezra said, “It’s too bad you have an away game to travel to tomorrow.”
“Yeah, but it’s the playoffs.” I twisted to face the moving truck, the men rolling the back door open. “And they traded Berg, so I can’t complain.” It sucked for Berg, but his injury had set my hockey career ablaze.
“When is your brother getting here?” Ezra bit the corner of his lower lip.
“Anytime now. Leo’s bringing some amazing pot roast after he gets off work, and Ace and Zoma will be here in an hour.” As my gaze snagged the men on the truck unloading Ezra’s sofa, I said, “Hey, you better get to work directing.”
“Oh, yes.” Clapping his hands at his chest, he sauntered to the men and barked directions.
“That’s my man,” I said with a snort. I fingered the set of rings in the pocket of my jeans. Ezra would lose his mind.
Late in the afternoon, the guys had all showed and helped unpack. Leo stood over a giant slow cooker with the post roast in it. “It’s all warmed up.” He gave me a knowing glance.
The guys knew my secret. I patted Leo on the shoulder. “Let me get Mason. I think he’s chirping on Archer on the best way to orient the television.” With a chuckle, I walked into the main room, open to the kitchen.
Peeking through the patio doors leading to our backyard, lush for a home in the desert, and the swimming pool, I frowned. Shit, the clouds had moved in, shading everything. But it enhanced the backyard greenery and the roses along the masonry wall were bursting with blooms. It would still be perfect.
