“Xander,” Coach says with a nod of his head, “Or should I call you ‘The Widow maker’?” he teases.
“No, none of that. That shit’s over,” Xander says as his finger draws little circles on my thigh.
“Over?” Coach questions with a strange tone in his voice that makes me pay a little more attention.
“Definitely,” Xander confirms.
Coach looks at Jaxon for a brief moment and gives him a slight nod. “So, the boys and I were talking,” Jaxon starts. “And now the Underground is over, we’d like you to finish off the season as a Dragon.”
WHAT???? My eyes snap to Xander’s who looks at them like they’ve gone nuts. “Are you serious?” he asks.
“Yeah, man,” Jaxon chuckles.
“How is that even possible?” Xander questions, clearly very deep in thought as he tries to work it out.
“I think you’re underestimating the kind of strings I can pull, kid,” Coach, say with a smug tone.
“But what about the fighting?”
“Look, as far as we’re concerned, you were known as ‘The Widow Maker’ in the Underground. That person no longer exists. Here, you’re Xander Phillips, Dragon’s player, who, come the new year would like to pursue a career in professional fighting. Nothing to draw any red flags there,” Coach says.
“So, I can skate until the end of the season?” Xander clarifies.
“You know the rules, kid. Every team member needs to attend classes and as long as there is no illegal fighting, then I don’t have a problem with it, though, I would like to oversee the training you are doing at the gym.”
“The college would let me resume my classes?”
“It’s already sorted, you just need to accept,” Coach grins.
Xander looks to me with a question behind those dark eyes. “Yeah, babe. I think you’d regret it if you didn’t,” I murmur.
He nods his head and I see the excitement in his eyes. I know Hockey isn’t what he wants to do but he loves being a part of the Dragons team and no matter how much he loves fighting, hockey will always be a part of his life. I’d hate to hear later down the track that he regretted not going onto the championship with the Dragons, it’s an opportunity he will never get again and an opportunity he needs to take with both hands and hold on tight.
He looks to Jaxon before looking to Coach Harris. “Alright, Coach. I’m in.”
“Good,” he says. “Now, enjoy your night, you deserve it. I’ll see you bright and early for a morning session on Monday.”
Chapter 26
Xander
We’re in New York for the Frozen Four, the Ice Hockey semi-finals, and finals.
We competed yesterday in the Semi’s and won which means today, it’s the finals. The day we have all been waiting for. Miller Cain led our team to victory last year and now it’s Jaxon’s turn. We all know he can do it and he will most likely end up with a contract to the NHL by the end of the night, I’m pretty damn sure Bobby will too.
But me, I’m doing this for myself. It will be my last game of Hockey that I ever play, well expect when Charli gives me a beautiful little boy or girl that I can play with but until then, this is it.
I had also managed to pull a few strings of my own when it came to my business degree, not that I really wanted it but I had to study something while I was still playing but I managed to take a few extra classes and take a few extra exams and now I’ll also be graduating in a few weeks, that way, with school and hockey out of the way, nothing is stopping me from opening the gym I’ve always wanted and competing in the professional league as a fighter.
Everything has finally happened for me and having Charli by my side, supporting me has made all the difference.
I’ll never forget this trip, it’s been amazing so far. Well, the amazing bits so far have all been because Charli has never set foot on a plane before. She completely freaked out, her nails tore holes in my hand when the plane took off and then she scratched the shit out of my arm on landing. If it was anyone else but her, I would never have put myself through it, hell, I would have kicked the person out of the seat beside me but for Charli, I’d do anything.
Then we pulled up at the hotel, which of course, is one of the fanciest hotels in New York. She was in awe, couldn’t believe her luck that she was going to spend the next few days in a place like this, then went on to tell me over and over again how the place has its own gym, day spa, and jacuzzi. I’m just lucky Zara is here to go and do all that girly shit with her so I don’t have to get a manicure.
It’s bad enough she begged me to practice her makeup looks on me the other week, though, I know I tend to say whatever Charli wants she gets but I had to draw the line somewhere. So instead of giving up, she waited till I fell asleep. I woke up the prettiest damn drag queen you ever did see.
I stand in the locker room, all dressed and ready to go. Skates are on, helmet is on and stick is in my gloved hand.
Coach Harris comes forward and I don’t doubt he is preparing for one of his famous pep talks. He takes a deep breath and lets us have it. “Alright boys, we’re here defending our title. This is going to be the hardest game of hockey you’ll ever play, Hell, for some of you, it might be the last game you’ll ever play,” he says as his eyes briefly flash to mine. “I want you to go out there and annihilate this game. Show that crowd that you deserve to take home the title, that we’re the hardest working mother fuckers known in this league.”
Wow, he is really laying it on thick today.
The boys all scream out their excitement as the adrenalin pulses through our veins. “Are you ready?” Coach calls out.
“Yeah,” we respond in unison.
“I said ‘Are you ready’?” Coach says a little louder.
“Yeah,” we all scream out.
“Then get out there and own that ice,” he demands.
With one final shout, we all break out into the Dragons war cry before lining up by the door. Before we know it, we are being ushered out of the locker room. Coach stands at the front of the line, clapping each of us on the back as we pass, then takes up the rear as we head out into the arena.
The place is packed and for us being so far away from home, I can’ believe just how many Dragons supporters I’m seeing in the crowd, the whole place is practically a sea of Dragons Jerseys.
The crowd road and chant as they see us coming out of the hallway and I take it all in. My eyes search the stands and come to a stop on Charli, needing to know exactly where she is. She stands on her feet in a group of the boy’s girlfriends and families and cheers her little lungs out.
She has been to every game I’ve had since the Underground and I must say, she has become quite a fan of the sport, though, she hardly knows what she is talking about but I love it either way.
She blows me a kiss and I send her a wink, making her cheeks flush red. There’s always been something about the way her cheeks flush that drives me crazy, even though she’s not shy anymore, a wink from me always sends a flush her way. It’s fucking awesome.
We step onto the ice and have a quick warm up and before we know it, the referee is blowing his whistle and getting the game underway. Jaxon is centre and takes off with the puck, Bobby keeping right up by him. I do what I do best and get each and every one of the oppositions out of his way, well, I try to but these fuckers are just as fast as me.
Jaxon scores the first goal of the game and the crowd cheer right along with us.
On and on it goes. Just as coach had said, this is indeed the hardest game we’ve ever had to play but with the adrenalin and the encouragement we’re getting from the crowd, it’s not that hard to stay ahead.
We’re absolutely kicking ass. The opposition are starting to show signs of fatigue but we’re ready and waiting for more. Minute by minute, we continue to prove that we are the mighty Dragons, the Kings of Denver and the rightful owners of that big ass trophy.
Half an hour later, we no longer have to prove it.
We are the undefeated, two-time reigning champions and it feels amazing.
I look up into the crowd and find my girl staring straight back at me, looking as proud as ever but I don’t get to look at her long before the boys have pulled me into a ‘stacks on’ pile in their celebrations.
I look up to find Coach Harris has somehow made it into the centre of the ice and has been thrown on the top of the pile.
Too quickly, the officials of the game are pulling us in for photos and a presentation of the trophy, though, it pretty much came from our ice rink in Denver, sat on a big ass table behind a glass case while we competed to now heading straight back to Denver with a new inscription.
The boys and I finally make it off the ice and we all rush through our after-game showers, anxious to get back to our families and friends, though Jaxon and a few of the other seniors get called back and I wonder if it’s got something to do with their contracts for the NHL.
I wish them all luck as I make my way out to the ice rink to find Charli. The majority of the crowd have made their way out of the arena but it’s still pretty damn busy. I find Charli leaning up against a big concrete pillar, staring off into space. I start making my way for her when two people literally insert themselves right in my path.
“Xander,” my father exclaims, “What a great game, son,” he adds as he pulls me into a hug and claps me on the back a few times.
I can’t help the dirty scowl that crosses my face as I step out of his embrace. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I ask both my parents.
My father ignores my question. “Glad to see you came to your senses,” he says with a grin, trying to look good for all the press currently scattering around.
“Senses?” I scoff. “You need to come to your senses. This was my last game. As of now, I’m no longer a Dragons player. I’m in training for the professional fighting circuit.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he scolds.
“Get stuffed,” I scoff before shouldering past him. I don’t have time for his bullshit. I hear my mother’s outrage but I don’t give them a backward glance. I should have known they would try this shit on for size but I got better things to be doing, like kissing my girl.
Charli is still staring out into space when I reach her. She gasps in shock when I grab her but she relaxes into my body immediately. “You were great,” she mumbles with her lips pressed against mine.
“I was pretty fucking good,” I confirm.
A grin spreads across her face. “You’re so up yourself,” she laughs.
“No, I’d like to be up you,” I tell her.
“Xander,” she scolds with wide, frantic eyes, desperately looking around to make sure no one overheard me.
“Come on,” I whisper into her ear. “I need to get you back to the hotel.”
I do just that and take advantage of her willing body until I get a call from the boys, saying there is a celebratory dinner down in the hotel restaurant.
Charli gets dressed to the nines and looks absolutely stunning while she sips on her champagne. I lead her down to the restaurant and we take our seats amongst the rest of the team.
Jaxon appears later with his girlfriend Cassie and it’s not long before they are announcing their engagement which is when the party really starts. Drinks are bought and handed around while smiles and laughter are heard from every corner of the room.
I take hold of Charli’s hand on my thigh and give it a small squeeze. She turns those beautiful eyes toward me with absolute joy radiating out of them. “I love you,” I tell her.
She gets up from her chair and takes a seat on my lap. She kisses me gently with her arms around my neck. “Without you, I would still be lost. I’d be fighting with my own inner demons and hating myself for it,” she starts. “But you changed it all for me, you made me see that I was strong and turned me into this confident woman, a woman I never thought I’d get the chance to be. I love you so much, Xander Phillips and one day,” she says, with her eyes flicking toward Jaxon and Cassie before settling back on mine. “That’s going to be us.”
I pull her in and kiss her one more time. “I can’t freaking wait.”
Epilogue
Xander
Two years later
I stand in my gym, looking around at this masterpiece before me. I can’t believe I’ve done it. Three months ago, Charli and I opened the doors to Warriors Paradise and every single day, I’ve had an influx of new members. I have to admit though, it’s hard work owing your own business but that doesn’t make me love it any less.
Seeing kids coming off the street, with nowhere to go, feeling like Warrior’s Paradise is a safe place makes me feel more accomplished than any of my wins in the professional league last season.
Though, those wins are what has made all this possible. I was able to buy this place and fix it up. It took a lot of hard work but eventually, we turned this place into the best gym equipped for MMA. Of course, I made it so it functions as your regular gym as well because Charli wouldn’t have it any other way, demanding that women have a place to train as well but with my name attached to it, it is damn clear this is a gym designed for serious fighters.
I still train with Cole every day and we regularly have arguments of whose gym we’re going to work out of. Though, I find when I win that argument, my training session is usually a killer one that has me wishing for sweet, sweet death.
I make it home that night and find Charli dressed in a sexy black knee-length dress with strappy high heels, just as I had requested of her. She smiles at me the moment I walk through the door with those stunning blue eyes still managing to take my breath away and as usual that damn dog of hers lays right by her feet.
“You look beautiful,” I tell her seconds before I rush her and kiss her.
“You don’t look too bad yourself,” she teases as I’m still in my training gear, though, she often tells me just how much she appreciates this look. The need to strip her naked and take her on the kitchen bench pulses through me but I have a plan to stick to.
“I’ll be ready in five,” I tell her before dashing into the bathroom and rushing through a quick shower. I come out precisely five minutes later wearing the cologne she loves and give her a big ass cheesy grin.
“A suit?” she asks as her eyes rake up and down my body, appreciating the view. “Where the hell are we going?”
“You’ll see,” I tell her as I take her hand and lead her out to my truck. I help her up and quickly dash around to the driver’s side, anxious to get tonight started.
I drive in the direction of the gym but take a few different turns and watch as her face creases in confusion, having absolutely no idea where we are or where we’re going. I find a park and flick the ignition off. I lean across and give Charli a quick kiss before hopping out of the truck and helping her down in her heels.
I take her by the hand and start leading her to our destination. We walk down a street which is lined with shops and I watch the confusion sink in further. “Xander,” she says, scanning the names of the shops. “There are no restaurants down here, are you sure we’re in the right place?”
“Positive,” I tell her.
We walk for a few minutes more until I stop in front of a storefront and pull a key out of my pocket before handing it to her. “Open it,” I tell her.
She looks around, searching for a sign to tell her where we are but so far, there isn’t one. Her eyes go wide with concern as she shoots a funny look at me. “No,” she hisses. “Where the hell are we? I’m not breaking into someone’s shop. I’m too innocent to go to jail, I’d never survive.”
“Babe,” I tell her calmly, trying to hold back my grin at her comments because she couldn’t be more wrong, she is the furthest thing from innocent. “Open the damn door.”
She lets out a huff but does as she’s told after she looks up and down the street twice more. She pushes the door open and I flick the lights on behind her. The shop instantly comes to life and she takes i
t all in.
“What the hell is this?” she asks. As her eyes flick from the right to left, then top to bottom.
“This is your salon, Charli,” I tell her.
Her eyes go wide as she turns back to me. “Are you serious?” she asks.
“Yeah, babe,” I smile. “I’ve been working on it for a few months with Micky, there’s still some more work to do but I wanted you to choose all the finishing touches so everything is how you want it.”
“Thank you,” she whispers with a lump in her throat as tears of happiness starts overflowing in her gorgeous blue eyes and dropping down her cheeks. “This is… I don’t know, I have no words for how amazing this is. It’s my dream to have my own salon.”
I step forward and wipe the tears away. “I know,” I tell her. “Now, there is no time for tears, you need to see the place first.”
She gives an excited nod as she wipes the rest of the tears, “K,” she murmurs, taking hold of my hand and allowing me to lead her around the salon. I point out all the work that’s been done and what still needs her final say on. I show her where the register will go and where she can have shelves of products for sale.
“You’re going to have to come up with a name,” I tell her.
“Shit,” she laughs. “But I swore after all the drama of picking a name for the gym that I’d never do it again.”
“Tough shit, babe,” I grin, remembering the hell of a time we had narrowing down the list of names for Warriors Paradise. I couldn’t have been happier with the outcome, but it was a long journey. “Why don’t you keep it simple. ‘Charli’s Salon’.”
She stops in her tracks and looks around fondly. “Charli’s Salon,” she says, trying it out. “I like it.”
“Well, that was easy,” I murmur.
We come to a door and she pushes her way through. “What’s up here?” she asks, taking in the stairs.
“Go up and see,” I tell her as the nerves start taking over.
I follow her as we head up the stairs and she pushes through the door. She lets out a surprised gasp as she finds the rooftop terrace completely overtaken with flowers and fairy lights that twinkle against the night’s backdrop. “Oh my god,” she whispers to herself as she takes it in. “This place is amazing.”
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