Page 178 of Unraveling Rain
There’s something about her tonight—some extra gleam I can’t quite figure out.
Every time I looked up during the game, I felt a special energy radiating from her.
She’s wearing her lucky jersey, as she calls it. The first jersey I gave her—the one I wore to the first game she came to see me.
The crowd starts the final countdown.
“Five…four…three…two…one—”
The whistle. The arena goes wild.
Ileap onto the ice.
The first person I congratulate is Matt. He and Trinity are expecting, and Rain and I are thrilled for them.
Blake, Nico, and Viktor pile in next. We’re all howling, laughing, nearly delirious from the adrenaline.
“We did it, asshole!” Cory shouts as he tackles me in a hug.
“Fuck, yeah. We did.”
“And to think, you were ready to retire over that injury. We couldn’t have done this without you, old man.”
I punch him on the shoulder pad, grinning. “Asshole.”
Someone from the organization waves us over for the trophy ceremony.
I glance toward Rain’s usual spot, but it’s empty.
I’m sure she’s trying to get my parents and Gramps to come to the ice, just like she did last year.
Do I have one more year in me?
I’ve been thinking a lot, and I’m still not sure what to do next.
I want to spend more time with Rain, but at the same time, I still feel the need to lace up my skates and hit a puck.
After the ceremony, I see Rain rushing my way.
I’m holding the trophy when she reaches me, and when I lift it toward her, her eyes water.
I love how deeply she feels for me. My struggles are hers. My wins are too.
I could never find a more perfect woman for me than her.
“Hotshot, you fucking did it!” she shouts, pure joy in her voice.
A boisterous laugh forms in my belly and bursts free. I’ll never tire of her filthy mouth.
“I did, Cherry. But without your support, I wouldn’t be here, and you know it.”
I grab her and lift her into my arms. She straddles me with no hesitation.
“And tonight,” she says, breathless, “you didn’t just win a trophy and a new ring… you earned a new nickname too.”
I raise an eyebrow.
Her lips brush my ear. “Calling you Daddy Xander does things to me.”
