Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 162138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
Everyone laughs again.
I continue, “But then you let me in. Me. Even after you knew what my reputation was, you gave me a shot. You are the most selfless, brave, loving person I know. And you’re funny as fuck. You quickly became my favorite person on the planet, and I became addicted to you. I’m in love with you. I’m obsessed with you. I promise to do everything in my power to keep you happy, so you can be mine forever.”
She blinks rapidly and reaches up to wipe her eyes before tears fall. She swallows and takes a deep breath.
“When I met your mother, she told me that love has no logic. You’re the reason I believe that. You’re relentless, annoying, cocky, possessive, and hands down, the most insane person I’ve ever met in my life.” She raises an eyebrow when I scowl. “But you make me feel safe, cherished, loved, and wanted. I walked around completely numb to everything before you came along and made me feel. You understand me in ways that I can’t explain. You’ve ruined me for anyone else. You’re my best friend, my husband, my everything, forever.”
Fuck. I take a shaky breath and swallow hard.
We exchange rings and finally — fucking finally — he tells me to kiss my bride. I lift her in my arms and crash my lips against hers. She brings her hands to my hair and sinks her fingers into it. The flowers Marissa handed her a few seconds ago drop. The world vanishes, replaced by a world where only Lyla James exists. With me and only me, of course. She pulls away slightly with a huge smile — mine, only mine, and maybe our children’s if we have any in the future, but that’s it.
“You fuck me up, Lyla James,” I bring my forehead to hers. “You fuck me up.”
That makes her start laughing and crying. I kiss her repeatedly until my mother laughs and shouts from the crowd that I need to stop.
EPILOGUE
LACHLAN
Fitz is carrying his toddler as he skates toward us. They wear matching jerseys, as usual. Will celebrated his first birthday recently, and I’m pretty sure his jersey collection already rivals his father’s.
“Say hi to your uncles, Will,” Fitz says, stopping in front of us.
“Ey,” Will says, smiling as he extends his tiny fist for us to bump.
“You’re such a smart guy, Will,” I say.
“He is, right?” Fitz smiles wide and kisses his son’s cheek.
“Okay, hand him over,” Nolan says, dropping his stick and taking him from Fitz. “Why are you wearing his jersey again? You’re supposed to root for me.”
Will giggles loudly when Nolan does a swift turn with him. He’s so fucking cute. I drop the stick in my hand and open my arms for Will, who likes to switch between the three of us like he’s a hot potato. I’d never held a baby before this one. I didn’t even like babies before this one. I’m still not sure I do, but I love Will, and I know I’ll love mine. Since Fitz and I play for the same team, I’ve seen Will at every stage. It’s pretty cool, but it makes me want to start my own family with Lyla.
If it were up to me, we already would have, but this will only be her third season playing pro soccer, and I don’t want to be the reason she hangs up her cleats. Lately, she’s been complaining about all the traveling, which I get. We're never home, and when we are, it doesn't feel like much of a break with all of the events we still have to attend. Lyla says she's content with the years she's played and wants to return to sports medicine. I think she's only talking about it since I'm retiring after the championship this summer. For good this time. I love hockey, but it’s started taking a toll on my body, and I don’t want to be one of those dads who can’t run around with his kids because of back issues. Fitz and Nolan are in the same boat. We’re going to win another Stanley Cup together this year and then walk away. I’m sure I’ll miss the hell out of this, but the last three years have been a wild ride, and I couldn’t ask for a better team to close out this chapter with.
Oddly enough, I’ve been looking forward to going back to Duke Tech. Unfortunately, it’ll mean I won’t be able to go to as many of Lyla’s games as I’d like, but we’ll figure something out. I guess that’s where the perk of being a billionaire comes in handy. Not that we take full advantage of the perks. Lyla won’t even take the jet anywhere, unless it’s our last resort or we’re taking a family trip and my parents beg her to.