O Goalie Night (The Ottawa Otters #1)

Chapter 40

CHAPTER 40

BETH

T he only way to describe the last twenty-four hours is chaos.

I arrived at school yesterday morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed thanks to the Foster James wake up method. Never have I ever had three orgasms before my morning coffee, but I am not complaining.

Bliss. That’s what it’s like being back home with Foster. Pure, undiluted bliss.

It’s not my home for much longer, though.

A stone forms in my throat and sinks to my stomach knowing my time at Foster’s place is limited.

But I’m not going to dwell on that right now. I’ll move into my new place after Christmas and see Foster as much as I can. Things are good and they’ll only get better.

I may be back on cloud nine, but this week my students were at an all-time low. Ever since they learned that Skate Day wasn’t happening, they’ve been dragging themselves through the school days. You would think they’d cancelled Christmas itself.

Just before first recess yesterday, we received a high- priority email from the office. Apparently they were able to secure another rink for tomorrow at the last minute. Parents were being notified immediately, permission slips were being sent out, and transportation was being arranged.

But somehow, it all came together! Now as I’m walking the world’s most excited fourth graders through the parking lot of the arena, skates in hand, I think I might be more giddy than they are. My first public skate. And on Otters home ice, no less.

“I can’t believe they booked this place,” Tamara says, glancing up at the tall building. “We normally go to a little community rink. This is insane.”

“Christmas miracle,” Jacob agrees. He looks like he might pass out from joy. “I’ve never been on the ice here before. Do you think they’ll let us go into the dressing rooms?”

I raise an eyebrow at him and he reddens.

“You know,” he clears his throat. “For the kids.”

Right.

“What time is your flight?” Tamara asks as we approach the entrance.

“Seven-forty-five this evening.” I can’t wait to hug my sisters and see how strong Grandma’s Egg Nog is this year. I wonder which ugly festive sweater my dad is going to wear on Christmas Eve. I’m even looking forward to my mother’s passive aggressive comments about my physical appearance. That’s how homesick I am.

But even though I’ve been counting the days until I see my family, leaving is bittersweet. I would have loved to have a bit of holiday time with Foster. I’m so happy he’s having Christmas dinner with his brother, but I hate to think of him being all alone the rest of the break.

The students file through the zamboni entrance into the rink. I expect the noise from all the kids to be deafening, but instead an awed hush falls over them. Once everyone’s inside, I follow after them and understand why.

The overhead lights aren’t on in the arena, but the room is still bright enough that my eyes don’t need to adjust. Hundreds of small snowflake lights circle the room slowly, dancing over every surface. I can’t tell where the projector is, but they are everywhere.

Lined up along the zamboni path are several pop-up stands. I see balloon animals and cotton candy machines. There’s a hot cocoa station and somewhere there must be Beavertails because I can smell their doughy, cinnamon goodness.

It’s incredible. Like something out of a Hallmark movie.

I look at my students’ faces to see their reaction to the splendour, but they aren’t looking at the brightly coloured stalls. They’re staring slack-jawed at the ice where several pro hockey players appear to be waiting for them.

Foster, Ben, and half a dozen other Otters stand smiling and waving to the kids from centre ice. While not in full gear, just jerseys, jeans, and helmets, they are still an impressive sight.

“Goooooood morning,” an announcer's animated voice booms over the speakers. “The Ottawa Otters are proud to welcome Stittsville Public to the ice today as honorary Otters! Welcome to Skate Day! ”

The players start to clap and cheer for the kids, most of whom are still speechless.

“Did you know about this?” Tamara asks. She’s clearly as dumbfounded as the kids.

“I had no idea.” How did Principal LeBlanc arrange this? There was no time to fundraise and there’s no way we had money in the school budget for all of this.

Looking back at the ice, I see my brother lean in to say something to Foster before laughing and giving him a slap on the back. Foster’s eyes meet mine and he gives me a tentative smile.

And that’s when it hits me. The school didn’t do this. Foster did.

I look around again at the brightly coloured stalls along the path. Hot cocoa, balloon animals, cotton candy. Not only did he save Skate Day for my students, he recreated the Winter Carnival I missed out on when I was a child.

Every impulse in my body tells me to run onto the ice and wrap myself around him, but given our audience, this is not the place and definitely not the time.

The next fifteen minutes is spent getting the kids ice ready. It’s no small feat and I’ve never been so grateful for parent volunteers. But eventually their skates are all laced up and their helmets are secured tightly to their heads. I’ve been so focused on making sure my students are taken care of that I haven’t had time to put my own gear on.

As the kids, parents, and my fellow teachers take the ice, I sit down to hastily put on my new skates. As I’m fumbling with the stiff new laces I sense someone approach .

“Need a hand with those?” Foster asks as he crouches down in front of me.

“That might be faster. Thank you.”

I grab my helmet from my bag. While I’m putting it on, I watch his hands as they lace up my skates. The look of quiet concentration on Foster’s face is so endearing. He looks so boyish right now that I fight a swoon. He finishes tying my second skate, gives my ankle a little pat, and looks up at me, smiling.

“You did all this for me,” I whisper. It’s not a question, it’s a statement.

“I did.” He must know I’m on the verge of tears because he gives my calf a squeeze. “Didn’t I tell you to get used to romantic gestures?”

“Yes, you did.” I grin. “How did you pull all of this off?”

He shrugs, a sheepish look crossing his face. "I called in a few favours and reached out to the owners. Ben got in touch with the guys on the team who hadn’t left for home yet and pestered them until they agreed to come. Cody handled everything with the school. Honestly, I didn’t do much."

“You did so much. Thank you.”

His cheeks flush as he helps me to my feet.

“I’ve never seen you in a regular helmet,” I laugh, giving it a little tap.

“I don’t like it,” he admits with a frown. “You can see too much of my face.”

“I like your face.”

“I’m glad.”

Foster leads me to the ice and I step onto the frozen surface with no hesitation and start to skate .

I’ve got this.

We skate around the perimeter taking in the scene. Will is leading a group of kids in a boisterous chorus of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer while Austin leans against the boards, flirting with one of the mom volunteers.

Ben is surrounded by a group of boys and girls all vying for his attention. He’s doubled over laughing at something one of the kids said. It’s the happiest I’ve seen him in months and when he spots us skating by, his grin grows even bigger.

We approach Jacob, who stiffens when he sees us. I watch Foster give him a reassuring smile and nod as we pass.

“Hey, Jacob. Good to see you again, man.”

Jacob’s entire face lights up. “Ye-yeah. You too, Foster, man.”

I have to bite back a laugh. Whatever crush he once had on me has been completely eclipsed by his man-crush on Foster.

“You’re a pro,” Foster tells me as we finish our first loop.

“I had a great teacher.”

“Hi, Uncle Foster!” Amelia’s squeal rises above all the other noise as she barrels towards us. Foster’s lightning fast reflexes come in handy as he intercepts her before she collides with him. Completely undeterred, she jets off again. “Thanks, Uncle Foster!” she calls over her shoulder.

Foster shakes his head with a smile as his older brother follows hot on her trail. “You gotta teach her to stop, Cody. ”

He grins at him as he passes us. “She says she wants you to teach her.”

I watch Foster swallow hard as his family skates away, and I squeeze his hand.

“This has been the best day ever,” I tell him.

Those green eyes twinkle as he says, “It’s not over yet.”

A moment later the music cuts out on the loudspeaker with a record scratch. After a few seconds of quiet, it starts to blast the bass-heavy techno beats of 2 Unlimited. Right after the singer asks “Y’all ready for this?” Otto the Otter himself takes the ice in a Santa hat. The kids lose their minds, screaming as they skate towards him to join him in his dance routine.

I gape at Foster who grins back. “I told you I’d introduce you.”

As we watch a seven-foot-tall otter do the floss, we’re joined by Will, Austin, and Ben.

Austin is the only one who appears unimpressed. “Stupid Otto. He gets all the attention.”

Will laughs as he drapes a huge arm over his shoulder. “Awww. Are you jealous of our mascot, Crawford? Did your mom not hold you enough when you were a baby or something?”

Austin scowls at him. “Probably not. But it’s okay. Your mom’s more than making up for it now.”

Everyone laughs, Will loudest of all.

I turn to Foster. “Any more surprises I should know about?”

His expression becomes serious as he looks at the ice. Taking my hand, he skates backwards a few feet, pulling me with him out of earshot of the others. “No, but there is something I’d like to talk to you about. Later, at home.”

Worry builds in my stomach at his words. Things have been good. Better than good. I’m not sure what could be causing him to look so uneasy.

Maybe he thinks we’re moving too fast? No. He wouldn’t tell me he loved me and spend his day off putting together this winter carnival for me just to turn around and ask to slow things down.

“Of course,” I say with a lightness I don’t feel. Forcing a smile, I add, “Race you to the hot chocolate?”

He grins down at me. “You’re on.”

By the time I pull into Foster’s driveway, I’m beyond exhausted. The field trip was an indisputable success. There were a few falls and a couple of squabbles, but no major injuries or incidents. Principal LeBlanc himself said it was the best Skate Day ever.

We got back to school shortly after one in the afternoon and spent the rest of the day watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas . Saying goodbye to the kids was hard and I wasn’t lying when I told them how much I was looking forward to seeing them in the New Year.

I make my way to the house, juggling several gift bags filled with candles, chocolates, and gift cards from my students.

As I’m approaching the front door, it swings open to reveal Foster. His hair looks damp from a shower and he’s dressed in what I swear are the only jeans he owns and an old sweatshirt .

In other words, he looks perfect.

He smirks when he sees all the gifts I’m carrying.

“My students spoiled me,” I tell him as I enter the house.

He frowns. “That’s my job.”

Setting all the presents down, I wince as I slip my sore feet out of my boots. I look around for my slipper socks, but they aren’t where I left them this morning.

Foster notices my confusion and says, “Be right back,” before jogging off down the hall.

He returns a minute later as I’m hanging up my coat, and without saying a word, he drops down to one knee in front of me.

Oh God. I hope he’s not going to propose.

Not today, anyway. I mean, we haven’t been together that long and as much as I love him and want to be with him, I’m not ready to be a wife.

But he doesn’t propose, thankfully. Instead, he holds out one of my slippers and, smiling, I place my hand on his shoulder for support as I slip my foot inside.

“Oh. My. God,” I moan as the warm fabric envelops my aching foot.

Foster grins up at me. “I put them in the dryer for a few minutes. Figured your feet would be sore after all that skating.”

I have no idea what I’ve done to deserve this man, but I’m keeping him.

After he slips the other one on, he stands and pulls me into his chest for a hug. “Better?”

“So much better.”

We stay like this for a few minutes, just holding each other. His broad hands stroke my back and I’m lulled into an almost meditative state by his steady heartbeat. I could stay like this all evening.

“We need to leave for the airport soon,” Foster says, interrupting my tranquil state. “Do you have much to do to get ready?”

Reluctantly, I let him go and take a step back. “No, I finished packing this morning.”

“That’s good.” He clears his throat. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you, too,” I tell him. Then, remembering what he said at the rink, I take a deep breath and ask, “What did you want to talk to me about?”

His mouth opens then closes again as he shoves his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels.

“You can say ‘no,’” he prefaces, looking a bit pale. “I know that you’re planning to move into the new spot next month, but,” he swallows as he meets my gaze, “what if you stayed here? With me? I know we haven’t been together long, but I’ve loved having you here and I don’t want you to go.”

I stop breathing. “Are you sure?” While I’ve been staying there for the past eight weeks, there’s a huge difference between that and him asking me to move in and share his home.

Foster’s eyes shine with sincerity as he reads my mind. “Beth, this wasn’t a home until you got here and it won’t be one if you leave.”

Throwing my arms around him I bury my face in his neck, breathing him in, and whisper, "Yes." It’s not just a word. It’s everything I’ve been waiting to say. "Yes," I repeat, my voice firmer now. I pull back just enough to look into his eyes, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "There’s nowhere else I want to be."

But as the words pass my lips, I’m reminded that there is somewhere else I need to be—the airport.

“I wish you could come with me,” I groan into Foster’s neck.

“I can, if you want me to.”

I blink, my mind scrambling to catch up with what he just said. "Wait... what?" My voice comes out shaky, and I stare at him, half expecting him to laugh and tell me he’s kidding. But he doesn’t. Instead, he’s watching me with the soft smile that always makes my heart flip.

"I’ll come home with you, if that’s what you want."

My mouth falls open as he gently sets me down. "You... you’re serious?"

Foster brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. "Ben booked me a flight. It’s his way of apologising for being an ass. I can fly to the Island with you now and come back first thing on Christmas morning. But I told him it was up to you. Do you wa–"

“Yes, please!”

He chuckles as his forehead comes to rest on mine. “Yes, ma’am.”

I start to tear up again as I look up at the man I love. “I’m still not used to romantic gestures.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to keep coming up with them. How does that sound?”

Amazing. Wonderful. Perfect. Phenomenal. “Good.”

“Good,” he murmurs against my lips.