Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
The man grins this time. “What car?”
They shake hands as my shoulders sag in relief.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” I say, sighing. “I appreciate this so much.”
We wait on the sidewalk as he unhooks Fall’s car.
As much as I want to be celebrating, I still must leave. Getting engaged is amazing, but it doesn’t change the logistics or erase the promise I made to my sister to return her vehicle.
Daniel wraps his arm around me, not caring one bit that we’re wet and running into one catastrophe after another. But, really, I don’t care about that, either. It doesn’t matter. I have everything I ever dreamed about. I have Daniel. I found my true home.
I lean my head on his shoulder, looking down. “You ran after me in socks?”
With a quick shrug, he laughs. “We only get one shot at this life. I had to go for it.”
I turn, wrapping my arms around him just as the rain gives up. “I’m so glad you did.” I kiss him, and this time, there’s no rush. Until I remember I must get back . . . “I wish I could stay with you and celebrate.”
“There’s no one who can take Fall to work?”
A thought crosses my mind. Why didn’t I think of this earlier?
I smirk. “You know what? There might just be.” I dig my phone out of my pocket. “Hang on. I need to make a call.”
I walk away as he supervises the car situation, and call the one person I know who will be more than happy to help. “Brandon?”
EPILOGUE 1
DANIEL
“Landers is taking a pounding by Beauchamp on his left. Deacon coming for the assist . . . Oh! That’s rough. Deacon’s gonna be feeling that tomorrow. Beauchamp’s still in control.”
“Landers isn’t in the minors anymore. He can’t freeze the puck for long. There’s no way out. He shoots or turns it over.”
“There’s no way to make that shot from the boards, Dan. That puck is as good as gold for the Boston Rebels if he tries.”
“Dallas is finally making it out of the block to help Beauchamp!”
“Hey, Carston,” I say, sweat dripping into my eyes. “Are you gonna take me out to dinner after humping me all night? Get off my fucking stick, dick.”
Shoulder checking him, I finally break free from the asshole and dig my blades into the ice, charging to save Landers.
Damn rookies.
“What the fuck is going on?” I grumble, skidding into Dallas as he stumbles into the mess against the boards. Beauchamp knocks the puck from Landers when I get my stick in the mix of a board battle.
Time slows, the noise disappears, the crowds are gone. It’s me and the puck.
This is my game. My arena. My goal.
I take possession, turning so fast that my opponent catches his stick on my skate and flips to the ice as I break away.
My blades scraping through the ice.
The blood rushing past my ears.
My father shouting at me when I was ten, “Don’t fuck it up, Danny Boy,” has always played on repeat in my head.
I close my eyes, no longer giving him power over me.
I own every one of my goals, trophies, and successes. I only play for me now. And my son.
My muscles push me forward, the stick an extension of my body. I open my eyes and shift my arms back, putting the puck in flight over the ice, cutting through the air over the goalie’s shoulder.
Cutting behind the goal, I turn to watch it bounce against the net. “Yes!”
“Maverick puts it away!”
“Goal! The Breakaways win!
“The Maverick of Hockey showing why he earned the title.”
“Sutton is still going strong, Dan. Put the rumors to bed. I think we’re going to be seeing him for years to come.”
“Top of his game.”
Kovlov slams into me. “Fucking amazing, Mav!”
It was fucking amazing. My body vibrates with adrenaline as the moment washes over me. The energy from the fans is electric. The bench clears as my teammates rush to find me. Before they can do that, my gaze shifts to a set of the prettiest blue eyes staring down at me.
“I love you,” she mouths, her hands clamped together at her chest. I lift a glove her way just before my team drives me into the boards in celebration. Their cheers ringing in my ears, I laugh to myself. Damn, it feels good to be a part of something great.
But it feels even better to have my son and fiancée here to witness a legend in the making.
“Good job, old man,” Landers says, shoving my shoulder. “I knew you still had it in you.”
“Fuck off, Landers.”
“Got to keep you on your toes,” He grins, skating away as the crowd grows louder.
“Mav-rick! Mav-rick!” The chants echo around the arena. “Mav-rick! Mav-rick!”
Kovlov moves out of the way, smiling brightly. “Get out there so your fans can see you.”