Sean tensed his shoulders, throwing his hands up. “I think you have maybe a twenty percent chance of that going horribly wrong, but that’s what insurance is for, right?”
I gulped down the rest of my glass of Moet. “You’re right. When you’re right, you’re right.”
Sean cocked his head, furrowing his brow. “You all right? You seem nervous.”
I pulled a black box out of my pocket and his jaw dropped. “I’m not going to ask her tonight, but I am going to ask Brayden’s permission, and I figured showing him the rock would help him agree to it.”
Myla
“So, you have to tell me—what’s it like?” Jessica was fixing up my eyeliner while I sat on the bathroom counter.
“What’s what like?” I asked, trying to hold as still as possible.
She pulled away to check out the first eye. “Sleeping with Gavin. I bet he’s incredible.”
I got instant goose bumps from even thinking about the morning sex we’d had to ring in my birthday. “It’s complete and total ecstasy. I really don’t know how else to describe it. The way he growls when I’m pleasing him—gah! It’s just so amazing. I never thought I would be able to feel so much from one man, ya know?”
McBee’s face lit up when she finished her masterpiece. “Hearing a guy moan because of you is the sexiest compliment ever.”
“I really couldn’t agree more.”
Jessica narrowed her gaze. “Is it just me or did it get really quiet all of a sudden?”
I hopped off the counter, ready to go investigate. “Yeah, it did.”
As it turned out, walking into an awkward silence was the least of my worries. Brayden came up next to me and said, “You might want to go see if Gavin is okay. Some chick walked in and he marched her right out into the hallway.”
I rushed out the front door to see a woman crying and Gavin yelling at her. “After all these years you pick tonight of all fucking nights to come to my fucking home?”
“Gavin, please, I’m sorry!”
I stood in silence, trying to figure out what was going on.
“It’s way too late for that. Just because my mother called you to tell you I’ve finally found true happiness with someone else gives you no fucking right.”
The woman was on her knees, groveling at his feet. “But, I love you.”
“Fuck you!”
Every cell in my body was buzzing. “Gavin?” I whimpered.
He turned to me with rage across his face. “Myla!” He let out a deep breath. “This is Marsheila and she was just leaving.”
Her bleached hair was sticking to her damp face as she clambered to her feet. “I’m sorry for dropping in like this.”
I grabbed Gavin’s hand. “I think he said you were leaving.” I stared her down before hitting the elevator button for her.
She shuffled away like a beat puppy with her tail between her legs. “I didn’t mean to ruin your party.”
I gave her a shit-eating grin. “Oh honey, you could never ruin my night. Thank you for leaving him so I could find the man of my dreams.”
Once the door closed, Gavin pulled me up into his arms. “I am so sorry about that, baby. My mom doesn’t know how to mind her own business.”
I kissed him. “It’s not your fault, but I think we have a room full of guests and a party to continue.”
Gavin
As the party started to die down, Myla and I took seats at my wet bar while Jordan started to pack up her supplies.
“Good party, Hayes.” Jordan handed Myla another Jack and Coke.
“Thanks you,” she said before turning to me. “Hey, babe.” She slouched on the barstool, putting her bare feet up onto my lap. It was so adorable to me how drunk she was, her hair a mess, makeup smearing a little, eyes glassing over a bit. It wasn’t the drunkenness that was the endearing part; it was seeing my girl in another light. Even fucked up out of her skull, she still gave me her little crooked grin and lit up a bit when she spoke to me.
“What’s up, hotcakes?” I asked, trying to not laugh too much at her cuteness.
“You’re the bestest boyfriend anyone could ask for in the history of ever.” Myla’s tiny hand landed with a thud on my thigh as she slurred before trying to take another sip of her Jack and Coke, completely missing the straw and chasing it around the glass for a bit.
“I think it’s time to call it a night. What do you think?” I took the drink out of her hand and handed it back over to Jordan, who downed it in one gulp.
She pursed her lips and, serious as a heart attack, shook her head, yelling, “Dobby has no master! Dobby is a free elf!”
I couldn’t help but laugh right there on the spot. “God, even drunk, you’re still a nerd.”
I scooped her up into my arms and carried her to bed. “I’ll be right back. I’m just going to help Brayden and Jordan pack up the rest of the stuff and get it downstairs.”
“Did the birthday girl go down without a fight?” Brayden was wiping down my kitchen counter as Jordan started packing up the last of the liquor bottles she had brought with her.
I shoved my hand down into my pocket, nervously fidgeting with the ring box that had been there all night.
“Brayden, can I have a minute?” I waved him toward the balcony.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll be right back.” He glanced over at Karla and she nodded while sitting on a barstool chatting with Jordan and Simon.
After shutting the door behind us, Brayden rubbed the back of his neck. “What’s up?”
I took in a deep breath. “I love your sister.”
He nodded. “Yeah man, tell me something I don’t know.”
I pulled the box out from my pocket. “She’s perfect and I know you’re going to say this is all really sudden. I’m not going to do it right away; I just wanted you to know where my head is at with all this, how serious I am about Myla.”
“Dude, no one is perfect, and you’re right, this is really sudden and fucking fast as shit.” He started pacing around the balcony.
"You're right. No one is perfect." I sighed, shoving the box back into my pocket. "But, she's damn near it, and fucking perfect for me."
He leaned onto the railing. “I have to hand it to you, you really are falling for my sister. I hate and love it all at the same time.”
“So, may I have your blessing?” Brayden nodded and I literally jumped in the hair, yelling, “Fuck yes!”
He pointed his finger at me, smiling wide. “Don’t make me regret this, Hayes.”
“I promise. I am going to spend the rest of my life making that girl as happy as humanly possible.”
After making sure everyone had safe rides home and the apartment was at least somewhat clean, crawling into bed was the best feeling ever.
I pulled Myla into me, curling my body around her. In a sleepy daze she kissed the air, muttering, “Love you,” before resting her head on my shoulder.
I had always been told that the best parts of life were the small, nameless moments spent smiling with someone you love, and in that bed with Myla sleeping soundly in my arms, I truly knew what that meant.
Epilogue
Myla
Months later
Rolling over, Gavin’s bristly scruff rubbed against my cheek. His playoff beard was coming in strong and the only way I could describe how handsome Gavin looked was downright panty-melting.
I kissed his soft lips. “Baby, are you ready for tonight?” I whispered.
He wrapped his leg around mine, shushing me. “Not if I don’t get my beauty rest, My.”
I was wide awake, probably way more excited for game seven of the playoffs than he was. Gavin peeked at me with only one eye open, then whistled for Seven, who jumped onto the bed panting and wagging her tail, jingling more than normal.
I noticed that she had a ribbon tied around her neck. Gavin reached up and pulled out the bow, letting three rings drop onto my bare stomach.
He leaned up on one elbow as tears started to flood my eye
s.
“Myla, I have thought about how to ask this for months now, but I knew the simplest, intimate moments for us were both of our favorites.” He took the ring that had a solitaire canary diamond and slid it onto my finger. “Please, spend the rest of your life with me.”
I stared at the shimmering stone, completely in shock.
“Say something.” He sighed.
I gasped for breath. “Of course! Yes!” Grabbing the other two rings, I looked over to Gavin, who had the biggest grin on his hairy face. “What are these for?”
“Well, you know how nontraditional we both think these things should be. So, I might have taken care of all of the arrangements.” He tossed me his shirt from the floor and pulled on a pair of gym shorts. “You might want to put that on for this next part.”
Yanking the huge shirt over my head, Gavin opened our bedroom door. On the other side was my brother dressed in a tux, standing next to Karla—whose baby bump was finally starting to pop out—in a gorgeous floor-length dress. Brayden was holding a white dress bag and walking into the room.
“Are we getting married today?” I started hysterically crying.
“Everyone is waiting at our house, including Sean, who got ordained to marry you online last week. We have a hairdresser and makeup artist waiting in the living room for you.”
Karla started giggling. “Did you really think I wanted to try on all those different dresses to get your opinion just in case Brayden decided to make an honest woman out of me?”
She shoved my brother as he started laughing. “What we have going on is working, why complicate it with marriage? No offense, Gavin.”
Gavin pulled his tux out of the closet and started polishing his dress shoes. “None taken.” He looked over at me. I was still in shock. “Chop, chop, little girl. We’re all waiting on you now.”
Karla grabbed the dress from Brayden. “Why don’t you two head over to the house and help finish getting set up? We have a wedding to get to and a game to win.”
As I was sitting on a barstool, getting my hair curled and airbrush makeup applied, Karla unzipped the dress bag. “So, this is the one I made you try on a few weeks ago. I remembered it was your favorite.”
She pulled out a gorgeous off-white, lace mermaid-style dress with a sweetheart neckline. Within less than an hour I was in my dress, riding in the back of a limo with Karla, on the way to my childhood home.
“I hope they’re all set up and ready to go.” I was getting nervous that there wasn’t going to be enough time for the wedding and to get the guys to the rink in time.
Karla put a reassuring hand on mine, pouring me a glass of champagne. “We have it all timed perfectly, love. This is going to be great and we’re going to the game tonight.”
“I thought Brayden said we weren’t allowed to be there.”
The car pulled over and Karla paused before opening the door. “Gavin was pretty convincing. They started the season with a win, seems fitting that they end the playoffs with you there too. You’re his luck, My. Don’t ever forget that.”
Standing at the altar, staring into Gavin’s stormy eyes with all our closest family and friends standing in a circle around us, it finally hit me—I was about to become Mrs. Myla Hayes.
“And do you, Gavin, take Myla to be your wife?” Sean was way too adorable in his dress uniform, helping us tie the knot.
“I do.” Gavin leaned down and kissed my cheek.
“Hey, no kissing the bride until I say so.”
Gavin chuckled. “Hey, playing by the rules is never as fun.”
After rolling his eyes at Gavin’s remark, Sean looked to me. “And do you, Myla, take this goofball to be your husband?”
I yelled at the top of my lungs, “Heck yes, I do!”
Everyone started popping bottles of champagne and toasting.
“You may now kiss your lovely bride.” The crowd erupted as Gavin scooped me up into his arms.
“Now, you’re my girl, forever. How does that sound Mrs. Hayes?”
Hearing those words roll off his lips sent electricity throughout my entire body.
“Absolutely perfect.”
Brayden slapped Gavin on the shoulder, addressing the whole group of people. “We have a game to get to, ladies and gents. Feel free to hang out. I set up TVs throughout the house so everyone can watch. Game seven here we come!”
Seven trotted over to Brayden, wagging her tail. “Not you, girl.” He threw the tennis ball she had dropped at his feet.
“All right, my love. There’s only one more surprise, but it’s at the rink. Simon and Karla will walk you through it. See you soon.” Gavin kissed me goodbye and ran out the front door with Brayden and a few of their teammates that had come to wish us well.
After a few glasses of champagne, it was time to head to the arena. “Ok, I’ll go change and then we can head out.”
Karla grabbed my hand. “Nope. You’re staying in that dress for a little while longer.”
Simon threw the strap of a duffle bag over his shoulder. “I have a change of clothes for each of us in here for when the time comes.”
Walking through the crowd of fans in a wedding dress was hilarious. Everyone kept stopping to stare as Karla and Simon escorted me to the very same seat I had occupied for that first game, right next to the penalty box.
We were only in our seats for a few minutes before the announcer came over the loudspeaker. “Will Myla Hayes please make her way to the Otters’ locker room? Again, Myla Hayes, please make your way to the Otters’ locker room.”
Gavin was waiting for me by the locked stairway to escort me down to the locker room. He was already in his pads and jersey.
“What’s going on?” I asked as he grabbed my hand.
“You’ll see.” We rushed down to where the team was hooting and hollering for us. “Congrats, guys!”
Gavin’s father threw an arm around me. “Welcome to the family, kid.” It had taken him and his wife a while to get used to the idea of me, but they had finally come around.
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Thank you!”
The opposing team was being announced and flooding onto the ice.
“Ready babe?” Gavin threw me up into his arms.
“Ready for what?”
The announcer started to get the fans fired up. “And the Otters have a very special announcement they would like to share with all of you this evening. Let’s give a huge welcome to your team, the Otters!” The fans exploded, leaping onto their feet.
Crosby led the way and Gavin followed him with me still swept up into his arms. “You might want to hold on tight, baby.”
He skated out onto the ice, my flowing dress trailing behind him as we made our way to center ice.
“Congratulations to the captain, Gavin Hayes, who tied the knot to this beauty only a few hours ago.”
The entire team started skating around us, waving their sticks in the air, cheering.
The moment had to be fleeting as Gavin skated me back over so I could head back up to my seat. “I love you!” he yelled, skating backward away from me.
I met Simon at the top of the stairs and he handed me my favorite jeans and a jersey that had Gavin’s number on it.
He whispered into my ear, “Check out the back. This is my favorite!”
Turning the jersey over, I saw the name on it read Mrs. Hayes.
The events of the day started to really sink in and I started crying as I pulled the jersey over my wedding dress.
“Let’s go watch my man kill it out there!”
The game was incredible—fast paced, high scoring, lots of fights. Once the Otters were up by three points in the last two minutes, Gavin picked a fight just to prove a point. After they brawled all the way to the ice, the refs broke them up.
Gavin sitting in the penalty box next to me was infuriating and awesome all at once. He yelled over to me, “Hey wifey!”
I got right up against the glass. “Yes husband?” I hollered back
to him.
“Kiss me!”
We pressed our lips against the cold glass separating us.
Best fucking wedding day kiss ever.
The end.
Bonus Chapter: Hat Trick
The warm hue of morning light started to dance into our master bedroom through the sheer curtains. Myla’s head was resting softly on my shoulder as I stifled a yawn. The sound of Seven, my wife’s husky, snoring on the end of the bed was like a calming lullaby as I lay as still as possible. I didn’t want to disturb my angel.
Myla hated that I watched her sleep all of the time, but she was too beautiful not to. I never considered myself a romantic, or mushy-gushy-cheesy, in any way, in fact – it was quite the opposite. I was a complete dick – on and off the ice. But, isn’t that normal for hot-headed hockey players? I mean, I couldn’t be a pansy and the captain of the New York Otters. I would get eaten alive on the ice if I showed any form of weakness whatsoever. But when it came to my wife, my heart was a muddle of mawkish goo in her tiny hands. I didn’t care. I was madly in love, even after all this time.
“Morning.” Her soft voice echoed in the room as she shifted and rubbed her sleepy eyes. “Have you been up long?”
I pulled her closer to me, wrapping my entire body around her tiny frame. “Just long enough.” Shifting a little, I pulled her fingers down to my growing cock. She squirmed a little as a mischievous smile raked across her tired face.
She kissed me quickly before wiggling down in the bed. Within seconds my boxers were around my knees and Myla’s tongue was exploring my shaft and balls. A light growl rumbled in the back of my throat as her gingerly lips wrapped around the head of my dick. With my eyes slammed shut, I entwined my fingers through her tangled locks, gently guiding myself farther and farther into her mouth, deep into her throat.
“Baby, I need to feel you right now.” I barked, ripping her head back with one hand. Our eyes met, she was biting her lip, I was about to be a goner before I could even get inside of her. Myla started to climb on top of me, but that was not going to do. I pulled her to the side of the bed, pushed her down just forceful enough to show her how hungry I was for her, gripped her hips, pulled her ass high in the air and filled her in one swift movement. I loved when her face was smashed into a pillow as she gripped the sheet and cried my name out. It was the hottest slight and feeling in the world.
The Shots On Goal Series Box Set Page 11