Push (Colorado Storm Hockey #3)

Chapter 32

32

HUX

It’s been a month since my old man kicked the bucket, and Ada’s still here. Not that I’m complaining. Having her around is good. Really good. In fact, I don’t want her to leave…ever.

I’ve never been great at dealing with emotions, but this past month has been a crash course. Anger, relief, regret, confusion—it’s all there, swirling around in my head. Ada has helped me understand that I’m grieving. Maybe not in the traditional sense where it’s for a father that I loved, but these are all symptoms of grief. She would know.

Ada’s been my anchor through all of this, and I’ve been hers. She, along with my new therapist. I’ve been hearing it for years that I need to see somebody, but Ada finally broke through. Agreeing to go with me if I wanted her to, so I wouldn’t have to face it alone. It took a ton of vulnerability to admit that I wouldn’t mind having her there to start. Mac recommended his guy, Dr. Lawrence. He’s a former athlete and not only knows what it’s like to not be able to play the sport he loves anymore, but he’s been helping me to process the trauma from my childhood. I hoped for immediate results, but figured out pretty quickly that I’ve got a long road ahead. Thankfully, I have a lot of time on my hands now.

I survey the deck, nodding in satisfaction. String lights crisscross overhead, casting a soft glow in the fading daylight. Flowers—all kinds, but also some orange blossoms I tracked down—are everywhere. My fortress of solitude is now like the happily ever after castle from a fairy tale, and that’s how I know I’m really in love with this woman.

Max watches me from his spot by the door, his tail thumping against the wood. “What do you think, buddy? Too much?”

He barks once, which I choose to interpret as approval. “How about some music too?” I ask.

He just stares at me, tail wagging.

I put on some music on an outdoor speaker and take it all in. Not bad, if I may say so myself.

I hear the crunch of tires on gravel and my heart rate kicks up a notch. Showtime.

Ada’s voice carries from inside the house. “Nik? I’m home. I’ve got that Thai food you like—oh!”

I meet her at the sliding glass door, unable to hold back my grin at her wide-eyed expression.

“What’s all this?” she asks, wonder in her voice as she takes in the transformed deck.

I take the takeout bags from her hands, setting them aside. “Come with me,” I say, leading her outside.

The evening air is cool, but Ada’s hand is warm in mine as I guide her to the center of the deck. Max follows, settling nearby with an attentive expression that almost looks human.

“Nik, what?—”

I drop to one knee, and Ada’s words cut off with a sharp intake of breath.

I pull out a small box, opening it to reveal a gold ring with an oval cut blue sapphire gemstone .

Ada’s hands fly to her mouth. “Is that my Teta’s ring?”

“Yes, I talked to your family. They gave it to me to give to you.”

Ada’s eyes shine in the soft light.

“I know we didn’t start this marriage in the most conventional way,” I continue, the words I’ve been practicing all day flowing freely now. “Hell, we probably did everything backward. But Ada, you’ve changed everything for me. I was ready to live out my days alone, just me and Max against the world. But then you came along with your ribbons and your balms and your crazy family, and suddenly my world got a whole lot bigger.”

Ada laughs softly, tears spilling down her cheeks.

“You gave me a family I didn’t think I wanted. You gave me love and patience and laughter. You’ve seen me at my worst, and somehow you still look at me like I’m worth something. So yeah, we’re already married. But I want to do this right. I want to choose you and I hope you want to choose me, every day, for the rest of our lives.”

“Adaline Khoury,” I begin, my voice steadier than I feel, “will you stay married to me?”

I hold my breath, waiting for her answer. But I don’t get it right away. She pulls me to my feet, her hands cupping my face. “You want to know something?” she says, her voice thick with emotion. “When I first married you, it was on a whim. A rebellion. But then I got to know you—the real you. The man who pretends to be tough but has the biggest heart I’ve ever seen. The man who makes me laugh, who challenges me, who supports me in everything I do. Who is absolutely amazing in the bedroom.”

That makes me smile broadly.

“I fell in love with the way you furrow your brow when you’re concentrating. The way you love Max. The way you try so hard to pronounce Arabic words just to make my family laugh. You’ve become my best friend and the person I want to be with, like, forever. So yes, Nikolas Huxley, I’ll stay married to you. I’ll marry you a hundred times, if that’s what it takes.”

I slip the ring onto her finger. The moment is filled with emotion.

“I love you,” I murmur against her lips.

“I love you too,” she replies. Then she pulls back, a mischievous glint in her eye. “But if you think this gets you out of a big fat Lebanese wedding reception, you’ve got another thing coming, Huxley.”

I groan dramatically, but I’m grinning like an idiot. “Whatever you want, Ms. Khoury. Whatever you want. But there’s something very important I need to do. Something very overdue.”

“What’s that?”

I pull out my phone and make a call on speakerphone. I can tell Ada’s curiosity is driving her crazy. It’s adorable. He answers on the second ring. “Mr. Huxley, I’ve been trying to get ahold of you.”

“Sorry about that, John.”

“So, what do you want to do about this annulment? The clock is ticking on it.”

My gaze flicks over to Ada’s and her eyes go wide. I cover the mic with my palm. “Do you want to tell him?” I ask.

“No, you do it,” she whispers.

“You sure you want this?”

“I do,” she answers, and the smile that blooms across her face is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

“Thanks for your services, John. But my wife and I no longer need your assistance.”

“Are you sure?” Leverge asks.

“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life,” I tell him. “Thanks again.”

I end the call, and before I can kiss her, she kisses me. I slip my phone into my back pocket and kiss her back, then I take hold of my wife and start a slow dance with her to the music. “We never had a wedding dance,” I tell her.

She laughs at that. “Like you said, we did it all backward.”

I smile into her hair and pull her a little closer to me. We dance together under the string lights and I want this moment to last forever.

Max barks, reminding us of his presence, and we pause to look down at him. Ada laughs and kneels to ruffle his fur. “Don’t worry, boy. You’re part of this family, too.”

As I watch my wife—my real, chosen wife—with our dog, surrounded by flowers and twinkling lights, I feel a sense of peace I’ve never known before. I thought I could have that with Debbie, but that feeling never came. This is it, I realize. This is what happiness feels like.

“Hey,” I say, an idea striking me. “Where do you want to go on our honeymoon?”

Ada’s eyes light up. “How about Las Vegas? I’ve got a real thing for fake Irish pubs.”

I laugh, and then pull her close, breathing in the scent of her hair. “Anything you want, Adaline. Anything you want.”

The afternoon sun glints off the championship cup as it sits proudly on our back deck. The chatter of folks fills the air, a mix of my teammates and Ada’s boisterous family. It’s surreal, having everyone here in one place.

Back outside, I find myself drawn to Ada. She’s laughing with Mallory, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight. My heart swells at the sight of her. How did I get so lucky?

Mac approaches with Summer in tow. “Speech time, Hux,” he grins, clapping me on the back.

I take a deep breath and move to stand by the Cup. The crowd quiets down, all eyes on me. I notice the team photographer and Maddie, our social media manager, discreetly capturing the moment. They’ll be leaving soon, allowing for a more private celebration with my family and close friends.

“First off, thanks for coming,” I begin, my voice carrying across the deck. “This cup, it’s more than just a trophy. It represents years of hard work, sacrifice, and teamwork. But standing here today, I realize it represents something else too. Family.”

I look around at the faces gathered—my teammates, Ada’s relatives, and Ada. “Some of you I’ve known for years, some I’m just getting to know. But you’re all family now.”

I clear my throat, pushing through the emotion. “Last year, when I had my day with the Cup, it was just me. I spent it alone in this house, drinking beer and watching old games. I thought that’s what I wanted. But now, looking at all of you here, I realize how wrong I was.”

I catch Ada’s eye. She’s beaming with pride and it gives me the strength to continue.

“As many of you know, this was my last season. But I’m not done with hockey. I’m starting a new chapter—an organization to teach kids from disadvantaged families how to play. To give them the escape and purpose that hockey gave me. Thanks to Hawk for helping me form that idea.”

A murmur of approval ripples through the crowd. I see Ada nod encouragingly, her eyes shining with pride.

“I couldn’t have done any of this alone. To my teammates, especially Mac and Hawk—thanks for having my back on and off the ice. To the Khoury clan - thanks for welcoming me into your family. And Ada…”

I pause, overwhelmed for a moment. “Ada, my wife. You’ve changed my life in ways I never thought possible. Thank you for loving me, for challenging me, for making me a better man. ”

I raise my beer bottle. “To family—the ones we’re born with and the ones we choose.”

Everyone raises their drinks, a chorus of cheers erupting. As the official part of the celebration winds down, I chat with Mac and Summer.

“How’re you feeling?” I ask Summer.

“Like I swallowed a watermelon,” Summer laughs. “But excited. We can’t wait to meet this little one.”

Mac grins, his arm around his wife. “Yeah, and that’s why we postponed the wedding.”

“Understandable,” I say, glancing over at Ada, who’s now chatting with Hawk and Alexandria. “A baby’s a pretty good reason to push back a wedding. Besides, you two are already married in every way that counts.”

Summer nods, leaning into Mac. “True. And this way, we’ll have our little one there to celebrate with us.”

“Good point. So, what are you doing for your day with the Cup?” I ask Mac.

“We’re going home, back to Fossebridge again,” Mac says and pulls Summer a little closer.

“Chris loves all the fuss they make for him,” Summer jokes and he rolls his eyes playfully. “I just want to see my momma and my friend Tia.”

“We’re going to stay there the rest of the summer until it’s time to report back,” he says. “I can’t believe you won’t be there when we do. You’ve always been there for me, Hux. I don’t know what I’ll do without you on my team. I’ve only felt like this once before, a long time ago.”

“I’ll always be on your team, man. You know that. And I’ll meet you on the ice for drills anytime you ask.”

Mac leaves Summer’s side and reaches out to hug me. He’s always been like a younger brother to me. And I’m pretty sure I’d be some recluse hiding in the mountains if he hadn’t set me straight on so many occasions .

“Love you, brother,” he says as he pats me on the back.

“Love you, too,” I tell him.

As the last of the guests leave and the Cup keepers collect the trophy, Ada and I settle on the couch by the fireplace. Max is sprawled out on the hearth, snoring softly.

“So,” Ada says, curling into my side. “Cup champion twice over, soon-to-be-retired hockey player, and now youth hockey program founder. What’s next, Huxley? Planning to lead the dabke?”

I snort, pulling her closer. “Please. You know I couldn’t ever pull that off. I’d probably end up tripping over my own feet and taking out half the party.”

“True,” she laughs. “Your grace on the ice doesn’t always translate to the dance floor.”

“Besides,” I add, “I’ve got my hands full trying to keep up with you and your crazy concoctions. What was in that ‘calming’ tea you gave Mark? I thought he was going to float away.”

Ada grins mischievously. “Just a little something to counteract all the beer he was drinking. We couldn’t have him going bananas with the Cup, could we?”

We fall into a comfortable silence. The fire is crackling softly.

“Hey,” I say after a while, my tone more serious. “You okay with all this? My retirement, the new program, your growing company. It’s a lot of change.”

Ada turns to face me, her expression soft but determined. “Nik, I married you in Vegas on a whim, merged our lives after knowing you for all of five minutes, and have put up with your brooding for months. I think I can handle your career change.”

I laugh, remembering how far we’ve come. “Fair point. Although I still say you’re the one who’s high maintenance. How many essential oils do you really need?”

She swats my arm playfully. “Watch it, Huxley. I know where you sleep. ”

“Is that a threat or a promise?” I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively.

Ada rolls her eyes, but I can see the smile she’s trying to hide. “You’re impossible.”

“Yeah,” I agree, pulling her in for a kiss. “But you love me anyway.”

As we settle back into each other’s arms, I can’t help but marvel at how much my life has changed. A year ago, I was alone with the Cup, convinced that’s all I needed. Now, I’ve got a family, a future, and a love I never thought possible.

And as Ada tells me about her latest concoction that has gone viral—a lavender sleep balm—her eyes lighting up with that passion I adore, I know I wouldn’t have it any other way. This journey may have started with a drunken decision in Vegas, but it’s led to the most meaningful victory of my life.