Everyone cheers, it’s what teams do. You hurt, you rally, and you play for each other. That’s hockey.
Collette: Amazing game. You were incredible.
Fish: Thanks, babe. How’s the mood up there?
Collette: Jo went to check on Emmett. Everyone’s getting ready for tonight.
Pierre askedeveryone to join in on a special celebration he has planned at the end of the game, he asked everyone to dress up. The team is gathering, and everyone has changed out of their gear into their New Year’s Eve outfits. I spot Emmett off to the side with Sully, arm in a sling, face tight with pain, but present. The man won’t miss a team event even with a separated shoulder.
Then I see Collette, she’s in a black dress that makes my brain short-circuit, her hair is down, and she’s wearing heels that make her legs look like they go on forever. I want to drag her into the nearest closet. She catches my eye and gives methe tiniest smile. The one that’s just for me. I give her one back and then look away because Pierre is ten feet away and I value my life. Felix appears from somewhere, talking to Issy, leading her toward the outdoor rink, which has been transformed. All the lights are off, and hundreds of candles line a red carpet that leads to the center of the ice. Standing in the middle, surrounded by candlelight, in a suit, looking nervous and hopeful, is Pierre.
“Holy shit,” I breathe out, he’s proposing, as I watch Pierre drop to one knee.
“Did you know?” Evan asks.
I shake my head. “No.” I can’t hear what he says from where I’m standing, but I don’t need to. The look on his face says everything. Then Issy nods, the sky explodes with fireworks, the snow starts to fall, the crowd erupts, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen at a hockey rink, and I’ve seen a lot of beautiful things at hockey rinks.
I look at Collette, she’s crying, tears streaming down her cheeks, hand over her mouth, watching her brother propose. And I know something nobody else in this crowd knows, the woman crying at the proposal is already married.To me.With a diamond ring on a chain under her dress, and a plastic ring from a convenience store that sits right beside it because she refuses to throw it away. While Pierre is proposing to his girlfriend, he has no idea that his sister is already someone’s wife.
Everyone rushes to congratulate them. I hang back because this is a family moment, and I’m not part of the family.Not publicly.I watch Collette hug Pierre, watch Jo hug Issy, and watch Felix clap his brother on the back. This is their world, the St. Pierres, they’re loud, loving, and fiercely protective of each other. And I married into it without any of them knowing. Collette eventually finds me in the crowd, she’s still teary-eyed, her cheeks flushed from the cold.
“Did you know?” I ask her.
“Of course I knew.” She wipes her eyes. “Jo and I have been helping him plan it for weeks.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” I whisper to her.
“It wasn’t my secret to tell.” She gives me a look. “We’re good at keeping secrets, remember?”
“Fair point.” I want to kiss her so badly my teeth ache. “You look beautiful when you cry.”
“Shut up,” she says, slapping my chest. “The engagement party is at the Rose Hotel. Behave yourself tonight.”
Stepping forward and leaning in, I whisper in her ear, “When do I not behave myself?”
“Do you want that list alphabetically or chronologically?” she teases.
“You will pay for that, wife,” I say under my breath just for her.
Her eyes flare. “Can’t wait.” She pushes herself from me and goes to join her family.
The party isin full swing. Music, dancing, and champagne flowing. Pierre and Issy are the center of attention, they’re glowing, wrapped around each other. Everyone wants to see the ring and hear the story. I’m at the bar with Evan, Nelly, and Bouch, nursing a whiskey, watching the room.
“Was a nice proposal,” I say.
“Yeah. He went all out,” Nelly adds.
“Candles. Red carpet. Fireworks. Snow.” Evan takes a sip. “Bit much.”
“You’re not a romantic, Evan?” Bouch teases.
“I’m Russian. We don’t do romantic. We do efficient.” He deadpans, which makes Bouch spit out his drink.
I watch Collette across the room, she’s with Jo and Harper, laughing, with a glass of champagne in hand. She looks happy and relaxed, and every few minutes she touches the spot on her chest where the ring hangs under her dress. She doesn’t realize she does it.But I notice.This earns me an elbow from Evan, which pulls me back into the conversation with the boys.
I notice Collette saying goodbye to her sister. It’s strange that she is leaving her brother’s engagement party, it’s only eleven. A few minutes later, I catch Collette’s eye across the room and raise an eyebrow. She gives me a head shake, and I continue watching my love from across the room.It sucks.
The countdown starts, and the whole room gathers. Pierre and Issy are in the center, with Felix and Harper beside them. The team, coaches, and families all gather with their loved ones, champagne glasses in hand.