Unbreakable(63)

Happiness floods me, and a huge, stupid grin practically splits my face in two when she holds up a package of cigars.

She remembered.

She remembered everything.

It takes a second for me to register that Sully’s standing next to her. He nods and gives me a sheepish look, then shrugs. Axel, Dylan, and Violet fill the seats behind him. Peyton stands one row behind Violet, dancing on her seat to the warm-up music and holding her beer out in my direction. A few more of my Smoke teammates stand nearby in the aisle.

A lump forms in my throat as I glance back over at Emmy.

I’m not sure how any of this happened, but knowing they’re here has made this day a million times more special than it started out. I’m on the verge of crying like a big baby, and hockey players don’t f*cking cry. I quickly gather my composure and take another shot at the net before someone sees me getting all choked up.

John Breaker skates past me and tilts his head toward the stands. “That your family, Maverick?”

I swallow against the lump in my throat and nod. “Yeah. That’s my family.”

It feels so damn good to say that aloud, but even better knowing that it’s the truth. Emmy and Sully are my family. We’ve had a rough few months, made stupid decisions and fought, but it’s over now. We can move forward and put it behind us.

Emmy has no idea what she’s done for me tonight. I’m on top of the goddamned world, and I have her to thank for it. It’s almost like she gave me back my parents tonight, even if it was just for a moment. That’s a gift that I’ll never forget, and one I can’t repay.

She places one hand against the glass as I go by, and I can’t resist giving her a wink. Seeing her look so damn proud gives me the extra shot of confidence I didn’t know I needed.

I have to get her alone later tonight. We need to talk. But first, I have to take care of business and get my mind right for this game.

It’s time to focus and give my family a few more reasons to be proud of me.





Chapter Twenty-Eight





EMMY




Will skates past me and winks, and butterflies take flight in my stomach. No one, and I mean no one, pulls off a wink better than Will Maverick. It’s never cheesy or corny. It’s just the sexiest thing ever.

Instinctively, I reach out and touch the glass as he goes by. I know he’s not going to return the gesture, and I wouldn’t expect him to in this environment. Still, I can’t help reaching out for him. I’m pretty sure I’ll be reaching out for Will my entire life, no matter what ends up happening between us.

Sully elbows me as Will takes a few more shots at the net.

“I’m heading up to the VIP boxes. Luca’s dad has a box, and he invited the guys. Do you ladies want to come with us?”

I glance over at Sebastian “Luca” DeLuca. He’s a defenseman for the Toronto Smoke and one of the most popular players on the team, thanks to his reputation as a rough and tumble enforcer. Luca’s known for always stepping up to defend his teammates and never backing down from a fight.

He’s well over six feet tall without skates, and one of the strongest, most muscular guys on the Smoke. He’s also incredibly good looking, with dark black hair that’s a bit too long in the front, and icy blue eyes that seem to look right through you. Women fall all over him, but he doesn’t stick with any one of them for long.

I glance over at Peyton, and she doesn’t even bother to hide her open admiration as she stares shamelessly at him. She’s a second away from needing a drool cup.

“No, I think we’re going to stay here. I want an up-close view of the action.”

“Okay. I’ll see you all after the game.”

Peyton and Violet move down to the seats on either side of me as the rest of the guys take off up the stairs. Peyton winks at Dylan as she passes him by, but she also makes sure to brush up against Luca, who gives her a thorough once-over.

I roll my eyes as she plops down in the seat next to me.

“Holy crap. That guy is sex on a stick.” She turns to watch Luca as he climbs the stairs. “Look at that ass. Good Lord.”

“I thought you were into Dylan?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“Dylan doesn’t respond to a damn thing I do. Did you see me wink at him? And you know what he did? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I didn’t even get a smile,” she says glumly.

“Dylan doesn’t seem like a flirty kind of guy, Pey. That’s not going to work on him.”

“What do I have to do? Strip down to my underwear and throw myself at him?”

Violet takes the seat on my left and snorts. “Well, shamelessly staring at another guy right in front of him isn’t going to help your case any, Peyton.”

“It doesn’t matter. Dylan didn’t even notice I was looking at Luca,” she mutters.

Violet gives my jersey a tug. “What about you? Are you doing okay?”

I give her a hesitant smile. “I guess so. I’m just not really sure how to feel right now. Does that make sense? I have no idea where Will and I stand, so it’s weird.”

Peyton shakes her head. “Look, I don’t care what he told you at the cottage. The way he looked at you a minute ago? It’s like you’re his entire world. Just sex my ass.”