I lift my hand, waiting until the noise dies down. “Crushers, you pulled off an incredible win tonight. When I came to this team as conditioning coach a few years ago, most of you were strangers.” I glance at the men who have become family to me. “I had no idea I’d end up here as your assistant coach, standing in front of you after winning a Cup. But I’m proud of you. You earned every second of this. And I’m lucky I get to be your coach.”
“Coach Marco,” Rourke asks. “Are you getting sentimental on us?”
“Not at all,” I say with a smirk. “I’ll go back to yelling at you tomorrow. Don’t get comfortable.” I turn to Jaxon next, who’s sitting on the bench, his knee still in a brace. “Jaxon, I know how much you wanted to be on the ice tonight. And I’m sorry you couldn’t join the team out there.”
“Me too, Coach.” Jaxon stands slowly from his spot. “Wearing the Crushers jersey has been the greatest honor of my life. I couldn’t be prouder to see you guys win tonight. But after talking with the coaches and medical staff, my knee can’t take another season.” He pauses, looking more serious than I’ve everseen the guy. “So I’m officially retiring from professional hockey.”
There’s a beat of silence before Brax stands and approaches Jaxon. “The team won’t be the same without you, Jax.” He hesitates long enough for the room to fall silent, then he pulls Jaxon into a hug.
That’s all it takes. One by one, the guys rise to their feet. There’s no teasing. They all know now isn’t the time.
Leo is the last one to hug Jaxon. “There’s no way you can quit hockey, man. It’s in your blood.”
“I’m not quitting,” Jaxon says. “There’s a youth league in my hometown that needs a coach. And I’m helping my mom with the horses now that Dad’s gone. So I’m not done with hockey—just finished playing professionally.”
“How about that girl back home?” Rourke asks with a grin. “Think you’ve got a shot?”
Jaxon laughs. “Averylong shot. According to my mom, she’s still mad at me.” His mouth slips into that lazy grin. “But I’ve heard girls love a guy on a horse, so I’m not ruling anything out.”
“We need to give you a proper send-off,” I tell him. “Retire your number and throw you the biggest party this team’s ever seen.”
“Speaking of celebrating,” Leo says, turning to me next. “When are you going to pop the question to Scarlett, Coach?”
I shove my hands in my pockets, trying to keep my face straight. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t pretend like you don’t know,” Brax says, pointing at me. “We know how much you hate waiting.”
“There’s nothing to tell.” I shrug. “Scarlett wanted to date three months, so I’m honoring her wishes.”
“You have the ring, don’t you?” Rourke asks bluntly.
The guys are all staring at me, the silence tangible.
I frown. “What makes you think that?”
“One, you’re a terrible liar,” Tate points out. “Two, you’remessing with something in your pocket that looks suspiciously like a ring box.”
Leave it to Sheriff to notice everything.
“So I have the ring,” I admit, taking it from my pocket.
“I knew it!” Rourke yells.
“We all knew it!” Leo grins.
“I just hope Scarlett likes it.” I turn the box in my hand. “I took Gabriella with me to the jewelry store.”
Miles’ brows rise. “Does Scarlett have any idea?”
“I hope not.” I tuck the ring back in my pocket again. “I want it to be a surprise.”
“Then ask her now,” Rourke says.
“I can’t just propose in the parking lot.”
“We don’t mean tonight,” Rourke says. “But you should do it this week, before we all leave for the summer.”
“Tell her we’re celebrating the big win and Jaxon’s retirement,” Tate suggests. “She won’t suspect a thing.”