“See you at Drunk Moose, guys,” she says over her shoulder. “You better be there right after us.”
I hear Jasper laugh behind us, and that makes me smile. I love seeing him this happy after the year he had.
As we enter Drunk Moose, the place is packed with Peacocks fans. The three of us squeeze through the crowd before the guys get here, getting to one of the private rooms in the back of the bar.
The moment the first player walks in, the place explodes with cheers and chants. The fans greet every player, but once they make their way to the back, the fans go back to their conversations like they didn’t just meet their favorite players.
Jasper leans in and whispers, “I’ll grab us some drinks; do you want wine or G&T?”
“I would like some white wine if they have it.”
While Jasper orders our drinks, I scan the private room and notice the happy people around us. Haisley is conversing with who I now know as Cory Ellis. She waves her hands as she talks, so they must be discussing tonight’s game or something else hockey related. Em talks with one of the WAGs while Felix is at the corner table with three Peacocks players.
Jasper returns with a glass in each hand. “Here’s your wine, muru.”
“Thanks,” I say, taking a sip of the wine that tastes better than I expected from a dive bar like Drunk Moose.
“Thanks for being here tonight,” he replies. “I know this world can be overwhelming, but I want you to know I love having you in it.”
“And I love being a part of your world.”
“You’re more than a part of it, Vivian. Youaremy world.”
My heart flutters as Jasper puts our glasses on the table next to us and wraps his arms around me, pulling me to him. The warmth of his body and the love in his eyes make me feel safe and cherished. We stand there, enjoying each other’s company and Jasper's special day.
31
I CAN’T WAIT FOR WHAT THE FUTURE HAS IN STORE FOR US
JASPER
I’ve been a Peacock for five months now, and I must admit—life’s pretty damn good. I’m playing the game I love and come home to the woman I love. And now, as I carry one of the last moving boxes to our new home in Brooklyn, just ten minutes away from the Bird Nest, I can’t help but feel blessed.
We spent many nights discussing our options and agreed that moving in together seemed the right choice, especially since I spend almost half the season on the road. This was a big decision to make, but when we saw the place, we instantly knew it was our future home. Something about the four-bedroom brownstone just spoke to us.
The place is also close to my therapist’s office. I took my dad’s suggestion seriously and started seeing a professional once a week after the holidays. Therapy has helped me to handle my feelings better, making me less hot-headed on the ice, too.
As I approach the front door, I hear voices coming from inside. It makes me smile knowing that Vivian and my teammates are getting along so well. She’s especially close with Felix, who often has dinner with us.
Setting the box down carefully, I turn the key in the lock and push the door open.
“Hey, what’s going on?” I ask, grinning widely, still holding the box in my arms.
Felix looks up from where he’s sitting on the couch with Shane and Lee, all three with beers in their hands. “Just helping Vivian unpack some of the boxes.”
“It surely looks like it.”
“She’s got a lot of stuff, man,” Shane helpfully adds. “It’ll take her the next week to get everything ready, so we just keep her company as she gets started.”
“You’re suchgreathelp,” Vivian quips, giving a playful side-eye to the trio.
I laugh and make my way over to her, bending down to press a kiss to her lips. Moving in together still feels new and exciting, even after the past months of spending most nights together when I’m in New York.
“How’s the unpackingreallygoing, Muru?”
“The guys have actually helped a lot—I only joked earlier. I don’t know what I would have done without them,” Vivian tells me while taking a vase out of the box.
I look around at my teammates and the maze of furniture and boxes stacked haphazardly in the living room. “Yeah, I don’t know what I would do without any of you,” I admit, feeling a sudden surge of gratitude for Vivian and the team quickly becoming my second family.
