I will hold you to that. For now, just focus on winning that game. Best graduation present ever.
Reading those words soothed her to an extent. While she would have loved to see his smiling face in the crowd, she contented herself with the knowledge he had been there for her over the last six months while she finished her coursework and internship. There’d been another storm of media attention after Kent’s PED use was made public by a Diamonds’ employee who didn’t agree with the cover-up. But her family, friends, and surprisingly, the Rebels org, had closed ranks, ensuring she was protected until it blew over. As it inevitably did.
She’d never known such love and support, and having this man in her life made her realize how long she’d spent short-changing her expectations of the people around her.
Another name was called. She shuffled closer to the stage, closer to getting that final approval. After today she would have her bachelor’s in early childhood education and would be qualified to teach little ones and fill their spongy little brains with all sorts of information. She already had a job lined up for the Fall at Riverbrook Pre-School.
Now she was close enough to the stage entrance to be able to peek out at the audience. Elle was there with Kennedy (eight months pregnant!), and while Pepper would have loved to see Hatch, his mom didn’t think he’d be able to sit still long enough. (You want disaster, Pepper? Just invite my hyperactive son to your graduation!) Connor had flown in from Denver—unfortunately the Diamonds missed the cut for playoffs this year—and was sitting beside her dad, who really should be in New York for the Rebels’ game but told the org that attendance at his daughter’s graduation was a deal-breaker, and he’d fly out after. (Of course no-one in the Rebels’ front office would have made a fuss.) Beside her dad was her mom, who was about to embark on the Camino de Santiago with a couple of girlfriends next week. She’d asked Pepper to join her, but the prospect of six weeks walking the Spanish countryside didn’t appeal as post-graduation R&R.
Not when there was a Michigan lake house and a hot tub waiting for her …
Later tonight, they’d all head to her dad’s house to watch the Rebels-Spartans game, which was about the best graduation celebration she could think of.
Another name called, another shuffle forward.
She took an extra peek, mostly because her eyes were drawn to a movement in the row where her friends and family were sitting. Was that—no!
He was here!
“No fucking way,” she muttered.
She got a few funny looks from her cohort. Definitely not appropriate language from a soon-to-be early childhood education specialist.
Bast had just sat down beside her mom and was leaning over to say something to Connor. This was crazy! He should be in New York, getting ready for tonight’s game.
Instead he was here, watching his girlfriend get a piece of paper?
“Pepper Calhoun.”
She was frozen, except for the tears threatening to burst the banks, staring out at this perfect man who had … lied to her and said he was in New York when it was clear he’d never left the state of Illinois.
“Pepper Calhoun.”
Someone nudged her. “That’s you.”
“Oh, right.” She headed out, carefully putting one foot in front of the other, and took the scroll from the Dean.
“Congratulations, Pepper.”
“Thanks.”
The cheers and hoots were loud, but not enough to drown out her thumping heartbeat. Turning to the audience, she took in the sight of all these people who loved her enough to celebrate this day with her—and while she knew Bast loved her because he told her often enough, she had always been an actions-speak-louder kind of person.
Bast was, too.
He was here, on one of the most important days of her life, on one of the most important days of his life. It meant the world to her, just as he did.
“Did you really think I’d miss this, sweetheart?” Bast’s grin could not possibly be wider.
“Uh, yes! You have an important game. Tonight. In New York. This is the last place you should be.”
The last hour had been absolute torture while she sat through the rest of the graduates getting their diplomas (we did it!) and what should have been a very inspiring commencement speech by the amazing Judy Greer (DePaul ’97), but which Pepper couldn’t focus on because her boyfriend was here.
He pulled her close, putting her brain in the usual scramble because he was in her life, loving her to the max. “I got a special dispensation to attend.”
“Basically, like my dad, you told them you were doing this and they could take it or leave it.”
He shrugged. “Pretty much. What are they going to do? Fine me?”
“They could. I love that you’re here, though.”
The last seven months had been amazing as Bast fought his way back to full fitness and Pepper finished her degree. They saw each other as much as possible—she practically lived at his condo, which was the perfect place to study while he was on a road trip—and she couldn’t wait for the summer.
But first he had a Cup to win.
He nuzzled her nose. “So, what would you say if we just got out of here?”
She peered up at him. “You mean, snuck away? Perhaps to … New York?”
His jaw dropped. “How did you know? Did Connor blab?”
“No.” She would kill her brother for withholding such vital information later. “But you know that I would never in a million years forgive you if my graduation made you miss Game 5 of the conference finals. I’m guessing you’ve already chartered a plane like some big shot and my dad, Connor, and maybe my mom are invited to fly to the game with you?”
He grinned. “You really do know me. Cecy and Gwen will be there, too, if that’s okay.”
“Of course it is. I can’t wait to see them.”
Bast and Reid had started their foundation three months ago—Hockey Cares—and even got Gwen on board to help lead the effort. The support was so great they were branching out to accept all children who need financial support during a medical crisis. Pepper was so proud of her man and all he had achieved.
All he would achieve—because she had no doubt he was going to be back on top soon.
He took her hand, clasped it tight. “You ready for the next adventure, Tequila Girl?”
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, marveling at how the worst day of their lives had led to forever.
“Let’s go win this thing.”