Page 98 of Rival Season
When he’s done pouring, I hand everyone a mug and we all stand in a circle, raising them in the air. The feeling that’s been growing inside me all day swells until I’m ready to burst.
Growing up, I never could’ve dreamed of the life I have now—living in a swanky penthouse and playing in the NHL. But more than that, I would have never dared to dream of theloveI have in my life now. My heart is filled with love. I have the best friends ever. My little sister is close by and living out her college dreams. And I’ve fallen head over heels with the hottest, smartest woman ever—who against all odds, loves me back. Sure, we still have baggage from the past to unpack and family drama to process, but the most important thing is that we have each other’ssupport through it all. It won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it. Every challenge is worth overcoming to have Hazel by my side…to be able to call her mine.
“To Hazel’s new place!” Fisher toasts.
Ally grins. “To friendship.”
“To this being the one and only tequila shot I’m taking in the next year,” Noah says mournfully, making a face at his mug.
“To fresh starts,” Hazel adds, looking at me softly.
I smile. “To love, and being loved.”
“You guys make me sick,” Fisher announces.
We all crack up again as Hazel’s hand slides into mine and she interlocks our fingers and squeezes.
I squeeze back, not letting go as we take our shots. Because now that I understand what love really is, now that I’ve broken down my walls and allowed myself to feel worthy of both giving and receiving it…I’m never going to let it go. I’ll spend my life loving Hazel in every thought, word, and action.Showingher she’s loved as well as telling her.
Every damn day until the end of forever.
THREE YEARS LATER
HAZEL
Ally stands behind me,fussing with my veil and making sure it’s securely attached to the updo that took my hair stylist two hours to perfect.
“Okay, it’s secured!” She smiles, stepping back. Ally’s eyes meet mine in the floor-length mirror in the bridal room of The Hibernia, a swanky venue that was built in San Francisco in the 1800’s.
My makeup is soft and natural, my curly hair is up with some tendrils pulled down around my face, and my silk slip dress is vintage—a lucky find from one of my favorite thrift stores. It’s a simple trumpet style, but the ornate embroidery and lace makes it stand out.
Ally places her hands on my shoulders. “You look absolutely gorgeous,” she says, handing me my bouquet of white roses, pink hydrangeas, and a myriad of other flowers and greenery.
A knock comes from the door, and Ally grins as she rushes to open it. Her maid-of-honor dress looks so pretty on her, the rosy-pink color bringing out the color in her cheeks.
She opens the door just a crack to see who it is, then steps back to let my brother inside the room. With another smile, she slips out the door to leave us alone.
“Hazel, you look beautiful,” Cory says, his eyes welling up with tears.
This is an emotional day for both of us. Cory is my only blood relative here today, since we both cut ties with my parents. It’s not how I wanted things to work out, but it’s what was best for my mental health and wellbeing. Maybe someday they’ll come around and be willing to mend things, but today I’m just happy to have my brother here to walk me down the aisle as I marry the love of my life.
“Are you ready?” he asks, holding out his arm.
I link mine through his. “I’ve been ready for ages. I would’ve married Penn years ago wearing a paper bag.”
My brother chuckles and leads me through the room and toward the open double doors, where I can see my months of planning put in motion: dim, romantic lighting, the aisle dusted with rose petals, an awning filled with flowers that match my bouquet…but most importantly, Penn Matthews waiting for me at the other end of the aisle.
He grins at me as our guests stand and a string quartet starts playingAll of Me.
Fisher and Noah stand up behind Penn, all of them looking dapper in their tuxes. I’ve never seen Penn in a tuxedo before, but he wears it like he was made for it. He fills out the jacket and cumberbund in a way that makes me look forward to watching him take it off tonight.
Across from the guys, Ally stands in place as my maid of honor, followed by Cassie, who’s proudly grinning ear to ear. Then finally, Fisher’s wife—which all these years later still gives me a chuckle to think about. Who would’ve thought Penn and I would be the last of our group to get married, and that Fisher would be the first? None of us saw that coming.
It feels like it takes an eternity to reach Penn, but I’m finally by his side. Cory gives Penn a hug before he takes his place beside Noah and Fisher as Penn’s final groomsman.
“Hi,” Penn’s voice is thick with emotion as he faces me, taking my hands in his and staring at me like I’m the most perfect thing he’s ever seen.
As I look back at my husband-to-be, I realize how lucky I am to be standing here, about to marry someone who I know to my very core isthe one. My person for life. Penn kisses my forehead and leads me to stand in front of the officiant.
