Pucked Love (Pucked, #6)(82)

I mull that over. “You really think she’ll say yes?”

Violet fastens the snaps and picks up Liam, patting his little fresh butt. “When I met Charlene, she didn’t date a guy for more than three weeks. She never settled down and wasn’t interested in long-term boyfriends, which, considering what she’s been through, isn’t much of a surprise. But everything changed with you, Darren. If you ask, she’ll say yes.”

“Okay.” I nod, resolved.

She smiles and pats my cheek. “Now go wash your hands so they’re not covered in crap residue, and maybe your face, too.”





By nine o’clock, Alex and Violet still haven’t reappeared from putting Robbie to bed. I have my doubts that Sunny and Miller will be back since the twins were fussy at dinner. Lily and Randy are likely doing what Lily and Randy do best, and with Poppy in the early stages of pregnancy where all she seems to want to do is take naps, she might be done for the night, as well.

I’m not sure Violet had to work all that hard to give me and Charlene some privacy.

Charlene snuggles into my side on the glider, and we watch the sun disappear behind the trees from the deck outside our bedroom. “Remember when we used to stay up until three in the morning and drink our faces off?”

“I certainly do. My favorite part was always getting you up to the room at the end of the night. You’re such an adventure in the bedroom when you’re drunk.” I run my nose up her temple and kiss her cheek.

“I always went into it with the best of intentions.”

I can feel her smiling. “Let’s try all the things!” I mimic her voice.

“I do not sound like that when I’m drunk!”

“You do, and I love it. You’re so fucking adorable when you’re trying to be a little firefly.” I chuckle. “We could do shots if you feel like letting your freak out.”

Charlene snorts. “I think I’ll pass. Those babies are like roosters at the crack of dawn. I can’t imagine nursing a hangover and dealing with all of that craziness.” She motions to the sounds coming from inside the cottage.

We’re silent for a few minutes, enjoying the peace and the quiet—apart from the occasional burst of crying coming from one of the bedrooms, anyway.

“Alex said the cottage next door is for sale.”

Charlene shifts so she can look at me. “You want to buy it.”

It’s not a question.

“This place isn’t going to be able to handle all of us for much longer.”

“Not with the way Sunny and Miller keep populating the future NHL draft,” Charlene agrees.

Sunny’s currently pregnant with baby number four, and very determined to have a girl. Based on Alex’s competitive nature, I’m pretty sure he and Violet will be trying for baby number two soon. Even Randy seems to be warming to the idea of having a family. Although I think it’s a lot easier to picture it when you’re surrounded by your teammates, who are essentially your family. Which is something I’ve started to do lately.

“It might be nice to have a second cottage for summer get-togethers, especially since my contract expires at the end of next season.”

“Chicago could renew.”

“Maybe, but if they do, I think it’ll be for a year at a time.” I stare out at the lake, considering all the options for our future. Charlene and I have talked about this often over the past year—what I’ll do when my contract with Chicago ends. “I don’t know if I want to play without Alex.”

Charlene kisses the edge of my jaw. “You are such a sentimental softie.”

“I’m pragmatic.”

“You can call it that if it helps you feel better about it. There’s no shame in loyalty.”

“I’m pretty sure he’s going to retire at the end of next season.”

“He has too much to lose now.”

“He does. He’ll go into sportscasting, and I can try coaching, and we can stay here where all the important people are.” They’re too much a part of both of our lives—the stability we both need, the good example of what a family should look like that neither one of us had growing up.

“I don’t like to think about any of the guys getting traded,” Charlene says softly.

“I know.” I press my lips to her temple. The idea of anyone not being here is difficult to fathom, but it’s a reality we’ll all have to face. “They’ll all be back eventually. Chicago is home.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I think I am.”

The sound of babies finally settling gives way to crickets. I’m nervous now, edgy, this thing I want to ask her making my throat tight and my palms damp. I think we’re at the place we need to be.

“Oh!” Charlene sits up and points out into the darkness. “Fireflies.”

I take the opportunity for what it is and stand, holding out a hand to her. “Let’s go catch one.”

We take the stairs down and cross to the beach where it’s darkest. Charlene is still, her eyes scanning the inky night for a tiny green glow. When she spots it, she jumps and claps her hands around it.

“Did you get it?”

“I don’t know.”

I come up behind her, ducking down to rest my chin on her shoulder, and we wait, patient and quiet to see if her palms light up.