by David Horne
We got some of the old team to help us move the following week, and it was like old times. They were still all friends after the years together, and I knew they would all still support each other. The guys whistled at our three-bedroom-unit that overlooked the buildings in Squirrel Hill North. It was close enough for Dane to get to the rink, and since I was doing online college, I was open to anything. It was a great area to live in, but we knew better than to get too attached.
We bought dinner and pizza for everyone once everything was moved in, sitting around the living room and balcony on the furniture we added to my collection for this occasion. I looked around the room at my friends and then at my boyfriend, sitting close beside me as he laughed at something James said to him. I wanted it to be just us so I could hold him in our new bed and tell him how much I loved him. I wanted his arms around me, making me feel safe and secure.
Once the season started, it wasn’t much different than college. There was a hell of a lot more practices and working out with their own set of personal trainers. Dane came home every day more impressed with the guys every day and murmuring about everything that he was learning. I’d always stop working or studying to listen, marveling at the wonder in his eyes. I could see that he was living his dream, but there was no doubt that he wanted me here, sharing it with him.
The first game was indescribable. It was the three families and us sitting in the box seats that offered a great view, and the energy in the room was viable. I threw my shoulders back in pride and smiled as they skated onto the ice to screams. Good things were going around the league about their two new additions, and everyone was eager to see what they could do. As expected, they weren’t front and center like they were in college. They were learning more behind the scenes, but everyone felt good about them. Coaches and players alike, James and Dane, were well-liked.
They did each get some time in the second when things looked good on the scoreboard. Dane took to the ice as if he’d always been there, passing to his team and damn near getting an assist on a goal. He handled the other guys with the perfect balance of defense and made it clear that he wasn’t going to take anyone’s shit. James showed everything that made him a captain in college, and Polly cried as she watched him.
They won by two goals, and everyone cheered as they stood in the stands. I looked around at all of the jerseys and met Terri’s eyes as she wiped tears from her eyes. We didn’t go to the same steakhouse that we did in the past, and it wasn’t a big crowd, but the people that joined us at the apartment for dinner were loving and supportive. We ate and drank beer and wine as he talked about how every moment of the game felt, holding tightly to my hand.
It was a moment of disbelief when the team won the Stanley Cup. Guided by incredible players, James and Dane had a few assists and even one goal each. That was everything, and I found myself on the ice with everyone else as the place went crazy. This win would be all over the news, and I hugged Olivia as I watched the team celebrate together. Dane hugged me, and I held him tight, telling him how proud I was as we let the moment sink in around us.
James and Polly got married in The Hamptons just after the season was over when the weather was still beautiful. They had the ceremony at a small bed and breakfast on a small cliff that overlooked the water, and it was just close friends and family. Olivia and her sister were the bridesmaids, and James chose Dane and his brother to stand with him. We were still close friends, but I knew that they wanted to keep it small. I was honored to be there and smiled as my handsome boyfriend in his black tuxedo as he talked with James, laughing at something he said before the girls came down the aisle.
We went to the reception in an open hall on the beach where there was plenty of food and drinks spread around for everyone. The wedding party came in shortly after pictures and Polly glowed as everyone applauded them. We all drank and danced, eating dinner in a couple of hours after the party started.
The newlyweds were smiling and lovesick as they made their way around the room. I knew that they were in this for the long haul and looking back, I did when I first met them. Despite being young with what many considered odds stacked against them, they were going to make it.
We stepped out on the beach for some fresh air, and Dane took my hand. “It’s beautiful here.”
“Stunning.” I smiled and looked down at the waves that shone in the moonlight. Trips like this were never a thought for me when I started college over three years ago. I expected to end up somewhere in marketing in some city living beside Olivia. A boyfriend was never in the picture, much less someone like Dane. He was kind, sexy as hell and motivated to get his dream. He proved his love to me every day. I let the image of us saying our vows cross my mind for a fleeting moment before I looked at him.
“I love you, Lance.” He stopped to face me, and I licked my lips with a nervous flick of my tongue.
“I love you.” I gazed into his eyes, and he smiled brilliantly at me.
“Thank you for being here for all of this with me. I couldn’t do it without you.” I felt the sting of tears and pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose.
“Shit, Dane. Don’t do this to me here.” I could barely speak over a whisper, and I felt him pull me against his muscled body.
“I want us to be here next Spring. I want to be the one marrying you, preferably after winning another cup.” We both laughed at his words. “Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
“Yes. You know I will,” I started to cry, and Dane stroked my cheeks. “I love you so much.”
Dane slipped a ring on my finger and stared at my hand for a moment before looking into my eyes. “We’ll make the big announcement in a few weeks and let the bride and groom have their moment. I just saw this setting, and the ceremony made me realize I needed to ask you. I’ve been trying to decide when and this… this is perfect.” He glanced around again before kissing me tenderly. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him closer to me, deepening the kiss. “I am so glad that I found you.”
“I think we both had moments that we wanted to run,” I agreed, pressing my mouth to his jaw. “You’re my everything, Dane. Everything.”
We spent some time walking on the beach and murmuring about the wedding next year. Our moms would no doubt plan most everything together since they were the best of friends now. We liked the style that James and Polly used and wanted something small as well. Both of the guys might be famous in the world of hockey, but we didn’t need the notoriety that some players did. He wasn’t even sure how many people knew he was gay, but after the big win, it didn’t matter. Dane made a name for himself in hockey.
Once we turned back, we decided to keep the engagement to ourselves for a while. We returned to the party and danced and mingled with the guests, making our way to our suite long after the bride and groom disappeared to their own, before leaving for the honeymoon in the morning.
Dane held me as we fell asleep after making love with the sound of the waves in the background, making me smile as exhaustion took over. From the moment I met him, I knew Dane was special. I knew that I wanted him, and now, we were going to be together forever.
The End