Page 162 of Unraveling Rain
This man never ceases to amaze me.
“I love you, Hotshot. So much.”
We stay there, enjoying being in each other’s arms, when I hear Kristine approaching.
“Oh, Xander. That was such a sweet gesture,” she says. Xander straightens, keeping his arm around my waist as he turns to her.
“But I thought it was because you didn’t want your dad wearing his usual Thanksgiving Hawaiian shirt and ragged jean shorts.”
Xander starts cackling. I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding and join in.
“I heard that, Kristine,” Sam calls out, walking over with a grin. “Maybe tonight I won’t give you the massage you like so much.”
I’m so thankful that our entire family is here, witnessing this love between Xander and me. It makes my heart feellight as we continue waiting for things with Dennis to finally reach a conclusion.
That’s all I want. To leave the past where it belongs.
Before everyone starts drifting off to nap or watch the football game, Xander looks over at the sleepy twins in Gio and Ruin’s arms.
“I wanted to thank everyone for making this possible,” he says. “I’ll be playing away games for most of the Christmas break, so having our families together today means a lot.”
Everyone starts gathering around us, forming a big circle.
Granny pipes up, “Who would’ve thought that at my age, I’d look like a movie star. Thank you, Xander, for giving us more reasons to be thankful this year.”
Granny hugs Xander next, and I can’t stop the laugh that escapes me when she feels up his back like she’s checking for muscles.
My brothers catch on, and a new round of laughter explodes around the room.
“I promise,” Xander says, voice raised over the noise, “when I propose to Rain, no one will see it coming. I’m working hard to blow her mind.”
My brothers hoot and holler like a bunch of teenagers.
I just shake my head at their antics, but the thought of Xander already planning a proposal?
My heart rate blasts off into outer space.
I can’t wait to be his wife.
Chapter 40
Xander
It’s game night, and I’m pumped to extend our winning streak here at home.
The fact that it’s against Boston? Bonus.
Rain got a call from the lawyer this morning—police will be at the game, waiting to take Dennis in for questioning.
She tried to play it cool, but I know she’s nervous he’ll make a scene and throw me off my game.
But there’s no way I’m letting that happen. My team and I arelocked in.
By the time we’re suited up and ready to hit the ice, Matt steps up to speak.
“Listen up, guys,” he starts as we’re about to head out. “It’s still early in the season. Some might say we can afford to lose a game or two and still make the playoffs. But if you want the Cup, there are no games to lose. We need to send a message—loud and clear. This year’s winners are the Carolina Red Wolves.”
Everyone howls, thumping sticks against the floor. Energy crackles through the locker room.
