Page 172 of Undone

Chapter 66

Toren

“Most improved player goes to—”

“I just can’t believe it.”

I roll my eyes, as Holden groans and lays his head on my shoulder. “Please tell him to shut up, Tor. I can’t take a gloat-y Freddy. It’s not right.”

“No clue what you’re talking about.”

“Yeah, he’s literally always like this,” Rhys says, taking another sip of our champagne before grimacing. “You should’ve seen him when he first started dating Ro. He was like, radiating.”

“Like toxic waste,” Sadie says. She’s half laid out in the chair, her legs across her boyfriend’s lap. She only had to move them when he won his leadership award.

“Let him have his moment,” Bennett chimes in, his hand drawing a pattern on the table. He’s been doing it since his girlfriend and my wife left for the bathroom. “He beat us all in GPA? That’s huge.”

I look at the left winger, who was extravagantly celebrating but has calmed now. He’s in a little bubble created by the leggy brunette with a mountain of curly hair decorated with little crystal butterflies at his side. She keeps grinning, eyes bright as she tells him over and over, “I’m so proud of you, Matty.”

It’s enough to kill off my cynicism, not that I actually had any. I’m a romantic at heart. I’ll just never tell.

“Back,” a twinkly little voice bounces against my ear. Holden lifts his head off my shoulder and scoots a seat over so Lily can squeeze between us. She’s so stunning, navy blue mesh draped off her shoulders, exposing her elegant neck and sharp collarbones. Her dress is long, but just a few inches past the curve of her ass, the material turns see-through so that I can see her legs. I want to touch them. I’ve been contemplating making a slit in the gown with my steak knife since we got here but have managed to control myself.

Barely.

Still, I get stuck on watching her again, my mouth half frozen open. She’s so beautiful. And I’m so lucky.

“Miss me?”

She blushes and nods, sinking into my side, small and warm and safe. My fucking wife.

Coach Harris takes the podium again in his crisp tux and bow tie Sahara had helped him tie—then showed Lily how to do it after she kept peering around the corner and trying to do mine. I didn’t dare tell her I could tie my own easily. Any excuse to have her attention, her hands and eyes intent on me.

“Before I present the last award for the evening, I want to take a moment to say something to the seniors.” His eyes find our table in the back, where all of us sat together. “This year was a hell of a year. Frozen Four champions, sure. But that’s a test of skill—skill you all have in droves. But we knew that. I don’t recruit weak players.”

The crowd laughs politely for a moment and our coach smiles.

“Rhys—you’ve grown so much in a year. Recovered from an injury. Found strength in yourself again. And become a better leader through it all. The Rangers will be giving the C over to you sooner than I think you know.”

A loud whoop makes Lily jump a little, peering up over my arms like a meerkat to see Max Koteskiy nearly standing, pointing at Rhys. “That’s my son!”

“Freddy. In one year, you managed to beat out these other assholes in grades. Focus, drive—you’ve always had that in you. I’ve seen it since you were a freshman. I couldn’t be prouder of you. Dallas is gaining another star, probably the brightest one they’ll ever see.”

There’s a man beside Freddy, older with slightly graying dark brown hair. He’s the only parent at our table, since we all got two guest tickets. He squeezes Freddy’s shoulder, a gentle grin and watery eyes as he leans forward and says something to him.

“Bennett—you protected this team for four full, selfless years,” Harris says, clearing his throat. “Thank you, for that. For your loyalty and selflessness. Strength in the face of adversity. For being a good man with a steady presence for every one of your teammates.”

Harris looks down, fingers gripping the sides of the podium for a moment before Sahara stands from their table and joins him at his side. His eyes gaze over the crowd again and he clears his throat.

“The last award of the evening is, as always, Most Valuable Player. The other coaches, staff, and entire Waterfell team decide this together. We vote, discuss, and take it seriously. It is an honor to win this award. It usually goes to the person with the best stats, the loudest highlights, or the biggest moments. This year, this award means something a little deeper.

“This particular player didn’t show up to support and open arms. He wasn’t well liked or trusted by many on the team. And no one made it easy for him. He had to earn every single inch of respect—and he did. He didn’t complain. Didn’t demand anything from anyone on this team. Only showed up. Over and over. Played his heart out at practice and on game day. Never faltered. He worked. He listened. He took hits—on the ice and off it. He kept pushing even when it would’ve been easier to shut down or give up. And things finally started to change.”

Harris’s eyes glint in the stage light as he seeks out our table again. I feel frozen.

“The truth is . . . I don’t think he realizes how much respect he’s earned. How deep the loyalty to him now flows. How much we all see the protective instincts that he uses on everyone but himself. How many of us admire him. How strong this team became because of him. How important he is to all of us.” His voice cracks as he adds, “To me.”

“So,” he clears his throat again with a wide smile, “Most Valuable Player goes to Toren Kane.”