Page 122 of Off The Rush
Her hazel eyes flicker between me and the guys, and I can tell she’s wavering. Finally, with a sigh, she relents. “Alright, fine. But only because you’re twisting my arm!”
“Great!” Luka exclaims, clapping his hands together. “Let’s get going, then.”
We all stand up, stretching out any stiffness from lounging on the couch. As we make our way to the door, I feel a warm hand slip into mine – it’s JD, giving me a reassuring squeeze before we venture out into the night.
“Ready for this?” he asks, his brown eyes soft and full of affection.
“Always,” I reply, linking my arm with his as we step out into the cool evening air.
With our friends by our sides and the promise of a fun night ahead of us, I can’t help but feel a surge of happiness. Life has thrown its fair share of curveballs at us, but together, we’ve faced them head-on and come out stronger for it. As we walk down the street toward the bar, laughing and joking amongst ourselves, I know that no matter what the future holds, we’ll face it as a family – united in love, friendship, and the unwavering bond that connects us all.
Epilogue
5 Years Later
The warm aroma of dinner cooking fills our New York apartment as I stir the sauce, my mind wandering to thoughts of Luka, Alec, and JD. Five years have passed since we all began dating, and somehow, every day still feels fresh and exciting. I can’t help but smile as I add a pinch of salt to the dish, knowing how much they’ll appreciate this meal.
“Hey, beautiful,” Luka’s deep voice startles me from behind as he wraps his strong arms around my waist. I lean back into him, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. “You should have waited for me to make dinner for you.”
I chuckle softly, enjoying the sound of his Swedish accent. “I just wanted to surprise you guys with something special tonight,” I explain, hoping he doesn’t mind.
Luka leans in closer, sniffing the air. “Is that…a Swedish dish?” he asks, his curiosity piqued.
“Yep!” I beam, unable to contain my excitement. “Your mom gave me her recipe. I thought it would be a nice way to celebrate our anniversary.”
“Emma, you’re incredible,” Luka murmurs, pressing a gentle kiss on my cheek. “Thank you for taking the time to learn my family’s traditions.”
As I continue to stir the sauce, I can’t help but feel grateful for the love we all share. Our unconventional relationship has only grown stronger over the years, proving that love truly knows no bounds. Alec’s dad never came around but we’ve learned to be okay with it. Alec didn’t want him in his life anyway.
Tonight, as I serve up a taste of home for Luka, I know we’ll create even more memories to cherish in the years to come.
The aroma of the Swedish meatballs fills the apartment as I carefully plate the food, arranging it just as Luka’s mom instructed me. The sound of the door opening and closing alerts me to Alec and JD’s return. They both enter the kitchen, their faces lighting up when they see the feast laid out before them.
“Wow, Emma! This looks amazing,” Alec exclaims, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Smells even better,” adds JD, his warm brown eyes crinkling at the corners as he grins.
Before I have a chance to respond, Alec steps forward and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close for a deep, passionate kiss that leaves me breathless. As soon as he releases me, JD takes his place, his lips finding mine in another scorching kiss that has my heart pounding in my chest.
Even after all this time, their kisses still make me feel like we’re back at the beginning of our relationship when everything was new and exhilarating.
“Wow,” I gasp, slightly dazed. “Welcome home, guys.”
“Thanks, babe,” Alec replies, his arm still draped over my shoulder. “So, how about that game last night?”
“Amazing!” I enthuse, recalling their incredible performance on the ice. “You were all so in sync, and JD, that shutout was just…wow!”
JD rubs the back of his neck, looking sheepish but pleased. “Yeah, it felt pretty great.”
JD, Luka, and Alec all ended up drafted to different teams right out of college. All first-round picks. It took some finagling and sacrifices but they’re all on the same team here in New York with me.
As we sit down together, enjoying our meal and reminiscing about the hockey game, I can’t help but marvel at the life we’ve built together. Despite any challenges we faced, our love and commitment to each other have only grown stronger over the years. As we laugh together, sharing stories from the past and dreams for the future, I know that this unconventional family of ours is exactly where I belong.
As we dig into the delicious Swedish meatballs together, our conversation flows effortlessly. Luka talks animatedly about a funny moment on the ice during practice earlier, making us all laugh. The warm atmosphere of our small dining room is filled with the scent of spices and the sound of our laughter.
“Tonight’s going to be incredible,” Alec says between bites, his excitement contagious. “I can’t believe it’s finally here.”
“I know,” JD chimes in, grinning at me. “We’re so proud of you, Em.”
