Ian (Las Vegas Sidewinders Book 15), page 25
“I think it’s over for good.”
“Oh no.”
“So maybe he’s ready for something new.”
“I don’t think Margot is open to dating with everything going on,” she admitted, “but she could definitely use some sex.”
“We could make that happen,” he said thoughtfully. “Dax, Zaan and Tore are all currently single.”
She laughed. “You’re truly a romantic at heart.”
“Well, yeah, but also, I know how guys think and I’m sure one of them would take one for the team.”
They talked and laughed as they got ready to go and though he’d threatened to take her to practice with him, he dropped her at the hospital after she promised him she would ask Mack for a recommendation for someone at the hospital to look at her knee.
“I’ll see you later, love.” He kissed her deeply as he pulled up to the entrance of the hospital. “And don’t forget to see someone about the knee.”
“I won’t.”
“Also, call Isla,” he said with a mischievous grin. “She’s texted me four hundred times already this morning, but I won’t have a chance to talk with her until later.”
She laughed. “I will.”
She got out of his SUV and walked inside. Her knee felt a little better today but it was still swollen and uncomfortable. She intended to stay off of it all day so she wouldn’t be too miserable tonight at her first professional hockey game. It was going to be a blast, and she wasn’t going to let Margot off the hook either. If someone would stay with Gracie, they were absolutely going to the game. Gracie would be asleep by eight anyway, and she was doing well. If Mack decided to operate, it wouldn’t be until Monday, so they were in a holding pattern over the weekend.
Margot looked up with a grin when Everly came in. “Hey.”
“Hi.” Everly sank into the chair next to her after giving Gracie a hug. “How was your night?”
“I’m much more interested in yours,” Margot laughed.
“It was good. Very, very good.” She cut her eyes in Gracie’s direction and they both snickered since she couldn’t give her any details in front of the nosey toddler. “So, Tore brought you dinner, eh?”
Margot flushed. “Yeah. He’s a sweet kid.”
“Kid?” Everly arched her brows. “He’s twenty-two.”
“Oh, well, you know what I mean. I feel so much older. He’s like a kid.”
“But a very hot, attractive kid.”
Margot shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“We’re going to the game tonight, by the way.”
“Oh, I can’t leave Gracie.”
“You can and you will.” Mack came in with a smile. “I’m going to stay with her tonight. Now that Rob isn’t playing anymore, there’s no need for me to go to every game, and I figured we’d have dinner and watch a movie until bedtime. You need a break and it’s been a long time since I’ve had the pleasure of a little one’s company. Really, go enjoy yourself. I’m absolutely happy to stay here with her.”
Margot’s eyes got a little misty. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Mack squeezed her shoulder. “Absolutely positive.”
41
Attending their first hockey game was a blast and Everly couldn’t have yelled louder every time Ian was on the ice. She’d gone online and watched video of him playing, both over the summer and again this afternoon, because she was curious since she knew so little about hockey. Seeing it live was something else entirely and she loved watching him do what he loved. Now she understood his fascination while watching her taking pictures, since this was sort of the same thing. Except a lot more exciting, in her opinion.
They’d been introduced to a few of the other wives and girlfriends and Everly had never felt so accepted into the fold somewhere new. The team captain, Cody Armstrong, was married to a sweet woman named Suze, who’d immediately introduced herself, led them to the section where the WAGs sat, and then introduced them to a bunch of the others. Nate Calloway’s girlfriend, Chelsea, was Everly and Margot’s age and she sat with them. She was also a journalist, so they had a lot in common, and talked for most of the game.
“I’m glad your first time seeing the Sidewinders play is a win,” Chelsea said, as the final minute of the game wound down.
“No way for the other team to win at this point?” Margot asked her.
“They’re up by two and there’s forty-five seconds on the clock. Technically, yes, it’s possible, but I’d be surprised.”
“Oh.” Everly’s eyes went back to the game. Ian wasn’t on the ice and it was hard to tell from here where he was on the bench. Usually he sat next to Zaan, who had longish blond hair, but she didn’t see him now. “Where’s Ian?” she asked, almost talking to herself.
“On the bench, no?” Chelsea cocked her head. They were sitting close to center ice, behind the bench and a little off to the side. It was hard to see what was what with the coaches and trainers behind the bench, but there were only a few seconds left so Everly was watching the game.
When the buzzer sounded, she got up, ready to head down to the family lounge, where Ian had told her to meet him.
“Not yet,” Chelsea told her. “They’ll announce the three stars of the game. Ian might be one of them because he scored tonight.”
“Oh. Is that a big deal?”
“I mean, not a huge thing, but the press chooses them, so it’s an honor.”
“Okay.” Everly sat down again.
The third star of the game was the goalie of the other team, who’d stopped what Chelsea said was a large number of shots from the Sidewinders. The second star of the game was a rookie on the team named Anton, and then Ian’s name was announced as the first star and Everly was on her feet again.
He skated out onto the ice, raising his hand in acknowledgement to the crowd and she frowned a little. Was he wearing a kilt with his jersey? She blinked and turned to Margot.
“What the hell is he doing?”
Margot laughed. “I have no idea…”
“Kilts are hot,” Chelsea said, grinning from ear to ear.
None of the other wives or girlfriends had left, all on their feet cheering. And then, as Everly watched, Ian turned to the section where she was and smiled. He didn’t have his helmet on anymore and he pointed at her, nodding. The crowd seemed to think this was great fun, and the people who were still in the arena started to cheer all over again.
He was motioning to her more strongly now and Everly’s face got a little hot.
“What’s he doing?” she whispered, unsure what to do.
“He wants you to go down to the ice,” Chelsea said. “Come on.”
“I’m not getting on the ice!” Everly shrieked, her heart starting to pound double time.
“Don’t be a dumbass,” Margot hissed at her.
“Oh my god.” Everly glanced at Margot once more and then followed Chelsea down the stairs toward the bench.
Chelsea motioned for her to go down a row of seats. “Go to the railing,” she said softly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“What’s going on?” Everly whispered nervously.
“He loves you. Trust me. And I’m in on the surprise, so go to the railing where Dax is waiting for you.”
Everly swallowed but did as she was told. The railing went alongside the tunnel that the players used to go back to the locker rooms. She wasn’t sure what she was doing here, but Dax was smiling up at her and held out his arms.
“Climb over the rail,” he said. “I won’t let you fall.”
“Seriously?” Her eyes widened but she did it, awkwardly swinging the leg with the brace over the rail, followed by the other, inching down until Dax grabbed her around the waist. He set her on her feet and gently nudged her toward the ice.
Everly had never been more embarrassed or mortified in her life, with everyone on the bench and in the crowd watching her, but she was propelled forward by Dax, and Tore gave her a wink as she passed him. Someone opened the gate and Ian skated up to her, holding out his hand.
“Why are you wearing a kilt?” was all she could think to say.
“Because you like it,” he said with a chuckle. He held her hand and led her a few feet out onto the ice. Then he dropped to one knee and looked up at her, his emerald-green eyes sparkling. “Everly. My love. My bonnie American lass.”
She bit her lip, fighting off a laugh even as tears stung her eyelids. “Oh my god.”
“We haven’t known each other long, but I love you more than anything and want you to be my wife. Now and forever. Will ye marry me, lass?”
“Ian…” She wanted to be embarrassed but couldn’t muster up the energy for it. Instead, she managed a tiny nod and held out her trembling left hand. What was left of the crowd went wild as he slid the ring on her finger and his teammates were all banging their sticks on the ice from where they stood in front of the bench.
Ian got to his feet and pulled her in for a kiss, and the whole world seemed to explode around them. It was the greatest feeling in the world and Everly held on for dear life.
When they finally broke apart, she swiped at her tears. “I love you,” she whispered. “I can’t believe you did this, but I love you.”
“I love you too. And I’m never going to be ashamed of you, love. Not now, not if your dad gets out on parole, not ever.”
There was so much she wanted to say, but there didn’t seem to be any need for it. He was right here proclaiming his love for her in front of the whole world since there were still cameras rolling, and she threw herself against his chest, unable to stop her tears.
“Don’t cry,” he whispered against the top of her head. “It’s supposed to be a happy moment. Aren’t you happy?”
She looked up and nodded. “So happy.”
“Come on, then, let’s go celebrate. I want you to meet everyone.”
“Was Margot in on this?” she asked as they walked off the ice.
“Aye…pretty much the whole team was in on it. I had to coordinate with everyone.”
The crowd had finally stopped cheering and people seemed to be leaving, but now Ian and Everly were surrounded by his teammates, being hugged and congratulated. She was overwhelmed but in a good way this time, trying to concentrate as she shook hands and got hugs.
“Press is going to have a field day with this,” head coach Jared Wylde grinned at them. “Hope you’re ready to get shit from guys on other teams for a while.”
Ian shrugged, sliding an arm around Everly. “It’s all good, Coach. She’s worth it.”
“I figured.” Jared just shook his head and moved past them down the hallway.
“I need to have a quick post-game meeting,” Ian told her. “So Lana’s going to show you where the family lounge is.”
Everly turned to a very tall redhead who was smiling at her. “I’m Lana Carmichael, head of P.R. for the Sidewinders. Come on, let me show you around.”
“Thank you.” Everly glanced over her shoulder at Ian, who winked, and then she followed the other woman.
“Congratulations,” Lana said, smiling at her.
“Thank you. I was so embarrassed.”
“Aw, it’s romantic,” Lana said. “I thought it was great and even though it’s not something most guys would do, Ian tends to march to his own drummer, you know?”
“He sure does.”
They walked into a large room filled with what looked like the families of the players and another cheer went up. Everly was immediately engulfed in hugs, with people oohing and aahing over her engagement ring. She’d barely had time to look at it herself but the diamond was huge.
“I love weddings,” one of the wives said. “Karl and I eloped, so I get to live vicariously through everyone else when they have their weddings.”
“Dom and I eloped,” another woman said, “but then we had a wedding.”
There was talk and laughter and champagne, so Everly took a glass and allowed herself to be caught up in the moment. Not just of getting engaged to the greatest guy she’d ever known, but having this group of people be so accepting of her. Maybe they didn’t know who her father was yet, but they didn’t seem to be the type of people who would care.
“The guys are coming!” someone called out.
Everly turned and her eyes met Ian’s as he came in the door. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. “Hello, lass.”
“Hi.”
“You okay?”
“I’m wonderful.”
“We’ll have a drink with everyone and then get out of here, yeah? We need to call your mum and then mine.”
“Of course.” Her hand wrapped in his, they turned back to the celebration. For the first time maybe ever, she wasn’t afraid to be in a crowd or meet new people. She was about to start a whole new era of her life and it was the greatest feeling in the world.
Epilogue
The next month was busy. Everly had been going back and forth to Seattle because she had to work while Margot stayed with Gracie. Margot had taken on part-time editing work with the paper since she couldn’t do her regular job remotely, but money was tight and Everly was trying to pick up the slack. Ian had finally put his foot down and insisted he help with some of the bills because of how hard Everly was working and how little time they’d had together. They were in love and engaged, but he never saw her, and it was getting to him.
“Everly here tonight?” Dax asked him after a game in November. They were changing into street clothes and Ian closed his locker with a grimace.
“I don’t know. Her flight was delayed but obviously I couldn’t check while I was on the ice.”
“How much longer are you guys gonna do this?”
“I don’t know what else to do,” Ian said. “I’m paying some of their bills now, but she’s stubborn and proud. She doesn’t mind me giving money to Margot, but won’t take it for her share of things.”
“It would be easier if Margot just moved here,” Tore said, grabbing his bag. “I mean, Gracie needs at least one more surgery so they’re not going anywhere any time soon. They could go home, but Mack needs to monitor her progress, which means incurring a lot more travel expenses. And she’s already probably going to lose her job in Seattle, so she might as well find one here.”
For a moment no one spoke and then Dax frowned. “How the hell do you know all that?”
Tore frowned too. “Whaddaya mean? I talk to her almost every day.”
“You talk to Margot every day?” Zaan asked, squinting. “How come?”
“’Cause we’re friends and Gracie is my buddy.” He looked around at them. “Why are you guys looking at me like that? Margot’s pretty much here all alone, dealing with a huge scary crisis with her kid and on the verge of losing everything. She needs someone to talk to and, honestly, after all this shit with Jen, she’s someone I can talk to that kind of understands.”
Ian wanted to laugh but didn’t want to be a jerk. Tore really was a good guy, if not a bit misguided sometimes, and this was the first time he’d seen him so sincere about a woman. “I’d love to move them here,” he said after a brief hesitation, “but I don’t know if she’d go for it.”
“I’ll talk her into it,” Tore said firmly, digging out his keys. “Anyway, I gotta run. I’m going to stop up at the hospital to make sure she ate.” He jogged off toward the exit, leaving his friends staring after him.
“Is he smitten?” Ian asked, though it was mostly rhetorical.
“He might be,” Zaan nodded.
“Jesus. I don’t even know what to do with this.” Dax’s phone went off and he glanced down, frowning. “Oh, hey, I gotta take this. I’ll see you guys later.” He moved off, phone at his ear.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you guys later.” Ian turned and headed for his SUV.
There was a light on in the house as he walked in and Everly turned to him with a tired smile. “Hi, I just got here.”
“Lass, you cannae keep working like this,” he said firmly, wrapping his arms around her.
She chuckled against his chest. “I know. Once we get Margot and Gracie settled, I’ll be able to quit the job with the paper and just do freelance stuff.”
“I had a thought about that,” he said.
“Yeah?”
“What if we moved them here?”
She paused, looking up. “You mean permanently?”
“What if we bought a house and they came to live with us?”
“I… What?”
“Not forever. Just for a while. Give her time to find a job, save money, get settled. I’m on the road a lot during the season, and you said Margot doesn’t really have anything in the way of family, so it might be good for both of you.”
“Having them with us means little to no privacy.”
“We’ll have plenty of privacy,” he said. “I’ll see to it. But they’re part of you and now you’re part of me. It’s going to be at least a year before Gracie is done with surgeries and healing, so why not have them here?”
He nearly held his breath waiting for her to answer. She was truly his soul mate, the love of his life, the greatest thing to ever happen to him. He fell more in love with her every single day and wanted her here with him more than he’d ever wanted anything.
“How do you love me so much?” she whispered. “I don’t know if I even deserve you.”
“You absolutely do,” he said softly. “First night you walked into Len’s pub, I knew you were special. I couldn’t stay away from you and the more time we spent together, the more I knew I needed you. You fill my life in ways I can’t explain, so I’m willing to do whatever it takes to have you here with me. If that means having Margot and Gracie with us for a while, that’s okay.”
Everly swiped at her eyes, swallowing hard. “I love you, my lord.”
“And I you, lass,” he replied, looking into her eyes.
“I’m so tired.”
“Pity.” He gave her an impish grin. “I was going to put on my kilt.”
Her eyes met his and her lips curved up. “Perhaps not that tired.”
He scooped her into his arms and carried her up the stairs.
