Page 38 of Deviant Secrets
No home.
No family.
No inherited fortune.
But I did have everything I needed.
A career.
Money.
My best girl.
A home I’d been building from scratch, including our own rink. In my off season, I planned to coax Chloe back onto the ice where she belonged. Hoping it would reignite her passion.
“Are you coming with me this time?” I asked her in a serious tone.
She tapped her chin a few times and smiled. The snow landed on her glowing face. Melting over her glasses and highlighting her dark hair. Sitting in various spots as it covered her in a fluffy blanket of white.
“I have nowhere better to be, so I guess you’re stuck with me.”
“Ouch.” Kissing her forehead with a huge smile, I pulled the seat of Angel's car forward and held my hand out.
It was time to start over and play out life the way it should have been the first time. He would never abuse me, her, or anyone ever again.
None of them would.
Locking eyes with her in the rearview mirror, she smiled, and I melted, gaining the courage to say what I should have had a long time ago.
“I love you too.”
EPILOGUE
CHLOE
FOUR YEARS LATER…
We cheered on as the players skated circles on the ice, ready to use our home game to its advantage. Little legs, spurred on bouncing up and down. Her curly brown locks bounced along with her until she caught sight of what she wanted. Our jersey’s matching the number of a familiar right-winger. One we loved.
“Look at them go, Serenity!”
“Daddy’s gonna score mommy! He’s the best!”
“He always does, just for you.”
I smiled wider, watching as he passed us by, skidding to a stop and placing his large hand against the glass. It made my heart swell with gratitude that he could maintain his career and become a husband and father all in a few short years.
He never broke another promise, and we lived a rather safe life. Even though the times he was gone, and we couldn’t follow were hard. I never imagined us being here and his smile as he looked upon his daughter warmed my heart.
“Hey Beautiful! Are you cheering for me?” His voice barreled through the blockage loud and clear.
Serenity May Palmer. I grew her for nine months to come out looking and acting exactly like her father. Watching them thrive together never got old.
On the ice before she could practically walk, she grew every day learning more and more. Nick always made sure he was present in her life. The away games were fun and allowed us to travel, letting our girl see the world. When we couldn’t, it was just as much fun to curl up in a blanket with some snacks and hot chocolate to watch the games.
After much hesitation, I got back on the ice myself, but I rarely had time to volunteer, but always helped out when I could. I opted to use our in-home rink to become a coach myself, my father helping me every step of the way, including leaving my adoptive family behind. My sister and I, although I held a grudge for setting me up the way she did, was my best friend and now, we are closer than ever.
He glanced my way, his mouthguard hanging cockily from the side of his face, and he threw a wink before skating off, which his daughter didn’t love so much.