CHAPTER THIRTEEN
RAYS FROM THE LATE afternoon sun filtered through the trees, scattering patterns across the backyard and driveway. Dylan tipped back the beer in his hand, and the cold brew chased away the heat of the day. Sitting on his deck with his family and friends, enjoying the warm breeze that late August brought to the Buffalo suburb, he could almost forget that the upcoming hockey season was only a few weeks away.
Almost.
But the gear littering the driveway and the Bedlam logo he'd painted onto the deck were reminders that the more things changed, the more they stayed the same.
He would be returning to the Bedlam as an assistant coach. He was happy to serve the team and thrilled he could still be a part of the sport he loved. Most of the players from the Cup-winning team would be returning. He couldn't wait to see what they accomplished next.
"Dylan?" Rod tapped his shoulder. "You still with us?"
He dragged his gaze away from the blue and white logo. Rod, Kelsey, Leo, Ben, and Jacob were looking at him. "What's up?"
"Do you want to play a quick game before Blair gets here?"
"Yeah!" Jacob scrambled off Ben's lap and grabbed hold of Rod and Dylan's hands. "Uncle Dylan, you're on my team."
He laughed and followed them down to the driveway. Rod set up the two nets, then pointed at Dylan and Ben. "You two can be on Jacob's team, and the newlyweds over there," he pointed to Kelsey and Leo, "can be on mine."
Rod and Arielle had gotten married in late June, and Kelsey and Leo had followed with their own wedding in late July.
Dylan nodded at Ben and then got in face-off position against Kelsey.
"Aren't you supposed to be wearing a helmet?"
The clear, firm voice, filled with warmth, brought Dylan up short. He turned.
Blair stood with her hands on her hips. Her long, pale blonde ponytail swayed in the breeze. Her hazel eyes met his gaze. As always, his heartbeat quickened and his skin heated, and his body tightened.
He smiled as he walked toward her. "It's only a driveway pickup game."
She arched her brow. "Still. I'm pretty fond of that head."
"Thanks." He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her against him. "How was your day?"
The league had hired her as a part of their player safety committee, to help develop and enforce a better concussion protocol policy. She kissed his jaw. "Pretty good. We're almost ready to roll out the new guidelines."
"I'm so proud of you." He really was. She'd worked so hard, and she cared so passionately.
She laid her soft hand on his forearm. "And you're feeling okay today?"
For a moment he couldn't think past anything except how good she felt in his arms. She asked him the question every day, and he'd promised to always answer honestly. The headaches, head pressure, and dizziness were much less frequent, but he still suffered occasionally. "I'm feeling pretty good right now."
The two and a half months since the season's end had been the happiest of his life. He'd been right when he'd thought that no one could compare to Blair. She was his perfect match in every way. Maybe they hadn't been dating all that long, but they'd been friends for a lot longer and in his heart he knew it was time to take that next step.
But was she ready too?
Only one way to find out.
He spied Arielle walking onto the deck. "Hey, Arielle, can you come here and take my place for a minute?"
Her eyes widened, but she nodded. Only she and Rod knew of his plan.
Blair tilted her head. "What's going on? You don't have to stop just because I'm here."
"There's something I want to show you." He tugged her hand until she walked with him toward the deck.
Feeling six pairs of eyes on him, he turned around. "We'll be back. Play your game. Winner takes on Blair and me."
They walked into the house, and he led the way to his bedroom. Carefully marked boxes lined the walls. "What you do think?"
She let go of his hand and turned in a slow circle. "You made a lot of progress today."
"I'm pretty much ready for moving day." Leaving the house he'd shared with Rod and Arielle was hard but he was excited for a new future with Blair.
"Is everything packed?"
"Just one thing left." He opened the top dresser drawer and took out the small black box he'd stowed weeks earlier. Heart beating in his throat, he turned toward her and opened it. The simple diamond ring gleamed.
Her breath caught, and she raised her hands to her chest. "Is that..."
"It is." He removed the ring and set the box aside. "I love you. You've been there for me for years. You're passionate and caring and my best friend. There's no one else I'd rather have by my side. Will you marry me?"
"Yes." She held out her hand, and he slipped the ring into place. Smiling, Blair studied their joined hands, then she cupped his face. "I love you too. You're everything I wouldn't let myself have for the longest time. But now that I have you, I'm never letting go."
Happiness lit up his heart, warm and bright as sunbeams. He lowered his head and his breath caught at the love shining in her gaze. He kissed her softly, slowly, drawing her against him until there wasn't an inch of space between them.
Long moments later, he lifted his head. "Let's share our news with everyone."
"I can't wait."
They walked through the house and out into the sunshine.
Dylan couldn't stop smiling at all of the promises the future held.
He had won a Cup for his hometown, his teammates, and himself. But the best reward of all was having Blair by his side, holding his hand and his heart, for always.
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