“Oh. I never thought you lied to me.”
“I did. When I drove you home a few days ago.” He leaned in close. “I said I’d survive.”
Her lip wobbled. “And … that was a lie?”
“Yep. Because I won’t, not without you. I’d be a shell, shuffling around, wondering why I didn’t tell you that I needed you to drive me home. All the way. That I needed you to stay with me and never leave.”
Her breath hitched. “I went inside my dad’s house and waited a couple of minutes, trying to screw up the courage to come back outside and tell you I didn’t want it to end. But by the time I’d managed to find a modicum of bravery, you were gone.”
He touched his forehead to hers. “I thought you needed the space. That’s what I’ve been doing since I returned. Giving you all the stupid space, trying to be your friend, but talking to Reid, I realized something.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t want to play it safe. This last year, I’ve had to because of my injury. And I’ve spent that time trying to come to terms with the possibilities of a life outside hockey. I’m going to fight like hell to play, but I’m also going to prepare myself for any changes that come my way. Reid and I are going to set up a foundation, raise money for kids who need it.”
“Like Cecy? Oh, Bast, that’s fantastic. And you and Reid doing that together? I love it.”
“Not sure how much time he’ll have for a new venture with the baby on the way. Have you heard about that?”
“Kennedy told me. I’m so happy for them.”
He nodded. “Me, too. Life’s happening so fast for them.”
“For you, too.”
She was right. After so long with nothing happening, now it was a mad, crazy rush. “Reid told me something I couldn’t figure out for myself. Asking you to drive me to Michigan—”
“Asking?”
“Okay, demanding it wasn’t so I could punish you. It wasn’t even because I needed to protect my wrist.”
“No?”
“It was because I was already half in love with you. I needed to keep you close, protect you from the media storm, and figure out this connection between us. Because it was too strong to ignore.”
She bit her lip. “I thought I’d imagined it.”
“No, it was there from night one at Jimmy’s Tap, and then I messed up by not trusting it when I found out who you were. By letting all the shit out there”—he gestured to the bar—“get in the way of something potentially amazing in here.” He grasped her hand and placed it over his trip-hammering heart. “And when we met again, I know it was a disaster, but I’ll be honest: running into you on that rink was the best thing to ever happen to me. I couldn’t see it immediately, but I see it now.”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe you’re so accepting of it all.”
“The wrist will heal. It might take a while, but it’ll get there.” It felt like they were talking about more than this tricky joint. “And if I have you in my corner, I know I can do anything. Because you’re a special woman, Pepper. You want to take care of the world—your dad, your ex, all the little kids with their spongy brains. But you also need someone to take care of you.”
Her eyes were shiny. “We both do. Thanks for taking care of me, Bast. I loved how safe you made me feel—”
“Loved? Past tense?”
Her smile was tentative. “Is present tense on the table? Or future tense? I don’t want to assume anything.”
“Assume away. Take it as read.” He placed his hands on her hips and pulled her close, chest to chest, heart to heart. “Past, present, and future. This is what I want.”
Her eyes sparkled, those gorgeous hazel eyes he wanted to wake up to forever.
“I can’t believe it. I fell for you back in our snow globe world, and for a while, I sort of hoped it would stay like that. Inside the glass where I could look at it like a memory. One that might ache for a while but would eventually fade.”
He drew back. “You wanted to keep it to the lake house? Not bring what happened back to Chicago?”
“I thought that was for the best.” She shook her head. “But there I was, repeating the mistakes of the past, running away from my feelings. How strongly I feel about you. I needed to fix things in my life—Kent, my family, my career—and as soon as I felt on a more secure footing, I might be able to figure out what to do about you.”
“And what kind of decision have you come to?”
She leaned in close. “That I can solve my own problems, but it doesn’t hurt to have a team of people on my side. And if I was to choose one person to be my co-captain, it would be you, Bast Durand. I want to wear your toque and your jersey. I love you. I know it’s fast, but I don’t want to miss a second of making a life with you.”
Joy danced through his veins. “Can’t think of anything I want more.”
Before he could seal the deal with a kiss, in walked Tina, the bar’s owner. She raised an expressive eyebrow. “Look, I know you lot bring a shit-ton of business to this bar, but you don’t own all the private spaces as well.”
Bast winced. “Sorry, Tina. Just needed a quiet spot.”
“Let me guess, you two are madly in love after your smashing meet-cute on the ice.”
“Uh, nailed it,” Pepper said.
She gestured a hand toward them. “I should take a commission, given the number of people who profess love for each other in my bar. Off with you. I’ll get the most expensive champagne on ice.”
“My girl likes tequila,” Bast said as he clasped Pepper’s hand and led her outside. In the corridor, he backed her against the wall. “I know everyone’s going to have something to say, so I need to kiss you now before the world gets involved.”
Those whiskey-bright eyes sparkled as her lips kicked up at the corners. “Make it a good one, Superstar.”
Which is exactly what he did.
Epilogue
June
Pepper stood in the wings, waiting for her name to be announced. Of course the delay gave her plenty of time to run through all the ways this could go wrong.
They mispronounced her name.
Or forgot it.
Maybe someone screamed at her “You got Peppered!”
Or she took a facer in front of a thousand people.
Buck up, Calhoun! You’re better than this.
Seeking her usual source of calm, she checked her messages and re-read a recent text exchange.
Bast
Sweetheart, I hate that I can’t be there for you. Probably grounds for a break-up?
Pepper
Absolutely. How dare you think Game 5 of the conference finals is more important than my graduation?
Just kidding. I get it. I’m so proud of you.
Bast
Thanks. I promise I’ll make it up to you. In both NSFW and non-NSFW ways.
Pepper