Page 106 of Breakaway
Right.
Sean and Sera’s wedding.
It was New Year’s Eve, exactly two weeks after we’d won the championship game, and my life had drastically transformed in that time span. Pippa had been right about the hockey world being forever changed. I had no idea the impact the Society had until it had been exposed, effectively blowing up the world of hockey as we knew it. Now, I had hope for a better one emerging.
Several teams were completely abolished; too many controversies and inaccuracies existed within their players, owners, and investors. So the league decided to scrap them entirely and start anew. There had been very few teams who didn’t have at least one Society player on their roster. It disrupted the season to the point it was currently on pause, expected to resume once the teams had a chance to reform. Reed had decided to return and now had his option of teams to choose from.
The ad campaign blew up even more and went international. With the addition of the battle with Dakota and winning the championship being added to the film, the documentary had been picked up by a bigger streaming network. It was odd not being able to go places now without the press wanting to interview me for the good things I’d done. How quickly they’d turned.
Carol had resurfaced out of her hidey-hole, but with her NDA and the restraining order Fletcher had filed without me knowing, she was silenced before she could even start trouble again. Goodbye forever, Mother!
When I told Reese who Pippa was and how she’d helped us, they’d been shocked. Reese wasn’t ready to meet them yet, but they’d started to message one another, taking time to get to know each other first. I was hopeful for Pippa. She really hadn’t been the enemy I believed, and had been pivotal in the eradication of the Society in the end.
The most surprising development was Nova joining forces with Keaton and Fletcher. They were working to create a brand new conference in women’s hockey that honored diversity among their players without pandering to the stereotypes that most women players got slotted into. It would give women, nonbinary, and transgender players a safe place to play.
There was even talk of starting a coed league and changing the rules on fighting and body checking to how it was in youth leagues. It made me hopeful for Reese’s future and even my own, considering I’d been offered a few deals to play again. The options were endless now, a complete turnaround from the beginning of the season.
Fletcher had decided to work with Keaton and HTC, building a task force to create better programs for youth players, providing more access to scholarships and equipment for the players who needed them. Fletcher was staying on at HTC for the next year while he searched for an appropriate replacement and then had time to train them. Though, I could see him sticking around longer. Despite his initial reaction to the company, he had a real knack for the business and was making significant changes within. Plus, I still had a hot CEO fantasy to live out.
Dax had been given several offers to come and work with teams after word of his training program for Reed and I had gotten out. He turned them all down, wanting to be free to travel with us and be wherever we decided to call home base. Fletcher had even offered to patent his training program through HTC, which would make him a household name. But Dax also turned him down, wanting to do it independently.
He was now an official “training influencer,” doing his videos on social media and sharing tips. Even some of his past clients started following him, stating they never had workouts as hard and great as his. Between taking on a few private clients, continuing his PT, and training Reed and me, Dax was very busy and in demand.
The four of us had come so far, and I couldn’t wait to see what was next, even if that no longer included another shot at the Olympics. Besides, who needed another medal when you had true love?
“You may now kiss the bride,” the officiant said as those of us gathered hooted and hollered. Sean dipped Sera back into a low bow, kissing her with the love of a man obsessed with his woman.
When they stood, Sera had stars in her eyes as she stared at her husband. Her white dress flowed around her, and she’d never looked more beautiful than she did right then—a woman completely in love. They turned to the small crowd standing on the beach of the Riviera Maya—picked solely for its name—and lifted their joined hands.
“I now pronounce you, Mr. and Mrs. Rivera! Congrats to our lovely couple!”
“Wahoo!” I shouted as Scar whistled with her fingers. Susie and I grimaced, the sound loud in our ears.
The three of us had stood up with her, our guys in the audience with Reese and the twins, and a few of their family members. It was an intimate affair of only twenty guests, but it had been beautiful.
I watched as they walked down the aisle, visions of doing this myself one day filling my head when I was nudged again.
“Go,” Scar whispered, giving me a knowing look again. Stupid mind reader.
Taking off down the aisle, I smiled as I tried not to trip over my feet in the sand. Reed stepped out, taking my arm on one side as Dax took the other, shocking me.
“What are you doing?” I asked, glancing around for Fletcher.
“Walking you down the aisle,” Reed said.
“Um, don’t you have to ask a question first?” I hissed, my voice high.
“Jumping to conclusions there, Petal. Though, I’m curious about what question you could be referring to. What do you think, Punchy?”
“Oh, she’s definitely wondering if we’re asking if she can be bent over the spa while she gets fucked with a dick down her throat.”
Lord have mercy; that man should not be allowed to speak.
I tried to keep my face straight as I headed over to the bride and groom, ignoring the waterfall happening between my legs.
“Sera! Sean! Congrats.” I beamed at my friend, hugging her as my two escorts released me. They clapped Sean on the back, and Fletcher suddenly appeared. He gave me a smirk, leaning down to kiss my cheek.
“Thanks so much for taking the twins with you tomorrow,” Sera said.