Page 67 of He Has Game (Boston Brawlers Hockey)
Epilogue
Vivvie
It’s the end of May and a beautiful day, so Finn and I walk to Caro and Neil’s new place in Louisburg Square for Sunday brunch. We had a late night with all the guys from the team—and the Stanley Cup—at the condo. Finn took a lot of abuse for re-announcing our engagement, explaining how it hadn’t been real in the beginning. Aiden claims he knew all along it was fake.
Brady Mack claims he knew all along it was real. We have a toast on that. Too many toasts, but we’re too happy to care about the headaches the next day. I even got a little tipsy because Finn insisted on making me a Margarita. Or maybe it was two.
Neil and Caro live a few doors down from Mary Delaney and when we walk by her door it reminds me of that first Finn and I talked.
“I was so excited that night at Mary’s place,” I say. He smiles and knows exactly the night I’m talking about.
“You were adorable. I think you started melting the ice in me that night—no I take that back,” he smiles in that way that makes me pray in gratitude that my pacemaker is state of the art and heavy duty. “It started in Mary’s office when you stood up and told herI volunteer,all brave and warrior-like as if you planned to give up your life.”
“Not my life, but I did give up my heart.”
“Cheezie romantic,” he accuses, squeezing me as we arrive at Caro and Neil’s and Caro takes us inside.
“Don’t mind the sparse furnishings,” Caro waves an arm, “It’s a work in progress. Come in the kitchen for coffee
“Now that the semester’s over and you’ve graduated, when are you moving in together?” Caro asks me. I should be used to her bold directness by now, especially since Finn shares the same proclivity.
Finn answers her, “Aiden isn’t happy about moving out. First of June.”
That’s the first I heard of the plan, but I don’t complain as I accept a cup of coffee from Neil.
“Want to hear something crazy?” Caro says. “We’ve been invited to O’Rourke’s upcoming wedding.”
“Shit,” Finn says. I’m not entirely sure he’s teasing. His mother is pushing him. He’s tolerating her intrusion in his life so far, having come to some kind of unspoken truce. I think it’s because she’s not asking him for anything but his forgiveness—and his attention. Plus she has Neil and their relationship is solid. Finn respects Neil more than his mother, but that’s okay. I think. For now.
Caro makes a face. More importantly, Neil sends him a look of warning.
“Want to hear something even crazier?” Caro says, standing and waving her hand in a wild gesture. “Get this, I’ve seen Joe Moroni visiting Mary’s house, coming out of her front door at nine in the morning to be exact.”
“You shouldn’t gossip, darlin’” Neil says, taking a seat with a coffee for Finn and himself, but his gaze is adoring and his voice warm.
“Don’t worry,” I say. “I’ve been suspecting something between Mary and Joe for a while.”
“Really?” Finn sounds surprised. “News to me.”
“That’s because your good girl doesn’t gossip and didn’t say anything to you.” Caro looks half annoyed and half proud of me.
Finn squeezes my hand.
“At least I didn’t call Joe out on sneaking away in the morning,” Caro says. “I hid when he looked my way. I didn’t want to embarrass him.”
“How unlike you.” Finn says, but I see the twitch in the corner of his mouth.
“It’s your fiancée’s influence,” she claims. “Speaking of fiancée. When are you going to set the date?”
“No hurry. Vivvie is barely twenty-two.”
“That’s right,” Vivvie says, “I haven’t had a chance to sow my wild oats.”
* * *
Finn
“Hey.”I take her in a hug, tight, because even thought I know she’s joking about the wild oats, nothing makes me more sick than the thought of not having her for myself. Forever. “Okay, you’re on. We’re getting married September fifteenth.”
