Three Pucking Wedding Dates (Hockey Harems #1)

4. Oakley

4

OAKLEY

A sudden jolt ripples through the plane, the vibrations causing me to jump in my seat, waking up instantly. I grip the armrests, trying to steady myself as the aircraft rocks with the turbulence during the descent.

“Whoa there,” Gray chuckles, his warm brown eyes sparkling with amusement. “Calm down—unless you think you need me to kiss you again.”

“Very funny,” I retort, rolling my eyes at him. The truth is, I wouldn’t mind another one of his soul-stirring kisses, but I don’t want to think about what the complications would be afterward.

“Relax, Oakley. We’ll be on the ground soon.” Gray reaches over and places a comforting hand on mine. His touch is like a balm to my frazzled nerves.

As the plane finally touches down, I let out a sigh of relief. Gray grabs my carry-on and hands it to me. “You know you could have packed more.”

“Maybe I would have if I hadn’t been kidnapped.”

That makes him laugh. “Kidnapping, huh? I’ll kidnap you any day, Oaks.”

“I won’t be here long anyways, right?”

He sends me a mischievous look. “We’ll get you more clothes.”

I playfully elbow him as we get off the plane and start walking through the terminal. The truth is that I’m just happy to finally be off the plane, so I’m not too eager to think about going home right now anyway.

Gray pulls his phone out from his pocket and clicks something before his entire face scrunches up.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, concerned.

“Oak, there are reporters waiting at the gate. You should head out first—I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Reporters?” I repeat, taken aback by the news. Why would they be here?

“Yes.” He sighs. “They follow me everywhere. You can’t be seen with me.”

“I’m not good enough for you?” I frown, feeling offended.

“You’re too good for me, Oak, but that wouldn’t stop me from being with you anyways.” He rubs my shoulder. “But, that’s not the point. If they see you with me, you’ll become some ‘mystery’ girl, and they’ll tail you all over the place, even when you get home. You’ll be on the cover of magazines, and nothing about your life will be private. They won’t stop. Is that what you want?”

That sounds horrible. Is it the way he has to live? “No.”

“Then just do me a favor, and go in front of me. I’ll wait here for a second. We’ll just look like two passengers that came off the same plane.”

“Okay.” I sigh. This is all so different from the last time we saw each other, but I guess he wasn’t some bigshot NHL player back then. “How did you know about the reporters? I didn’t realize you could see the future.”

Gray laughs. “Charlie, my driver, always keeps an eye out for us when we’re traveling. He’ll meet you at the front of the airport and take you to the rink where the Utica Legends are playing.”

“Your team is playing today?” I ask, eyes wide. “And you came to get me? Gray, you shouldn’t have. You should have?—”

“I think I’m capable of making my own decisions,” he cuts me off. “I chose to come get you, and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Besides, Reid and Theo are there, so the game will be won anyways.”

I nod, not knowing what else to say. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Hey,” he says softly, his eyes full of concern. “Don’t worry about me, okay? I’ve dealt with reporters before. I’ll meet you at the rink.”

I force a smile, trying to hide my unease. “I know you can handle it. I just…I don’t like leaving you behind.”

“Trust me, I’ll be right behind you,” Gray reassures me, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. With one last lingering look, I turn away and start walking toward the front of the airport.

My heart races as I search for Charlie among the sea of faces. An older gentleman with salt-and-pepper hair catches my eye, holding up a sign with the name “Archer” on it. Relief washes over me, and I hurry over to him.

“Charlie?” I ask hesitantly, praying that I’m not about to introduce myself to a complete stranger.

“Miss Price,” he says with a kind smile, extending his hand. “Gray asked me to keep an eye out for you. He would like for me to take you to the rink.”

“Thank you,” I reply.

The flash of cameras and the clamor of reporters’ voices catch my attention, drawing my gaze to where Gray stands surrounded by a throng of media personnel. He seems unfazed by the sudden onslaught, answering their questions with a practiced grace that highlights his experience in the spotlight. I watch, amazed at how effortlessly he handles the attention, when his eyes flick toward me for just an instant, sending a silent message of reassurance.

“Quite the scene, isn’t it?” Charlie comments quietly beside me, his gaze also on Gray and the reporters.

“Yeah,” I agree, still watching Gray. “He’s really good at handling them.”

“Experience,” Charlie replies simply, his voice polite but reserved. I can tell he’s not one to engage in idle gossip, so I decide to focus on getting to know him better instead.

“Gray mentioned that you always look out for him,” I say, turning my attention to the older man beside me. “How long have you been working together?”

“Nearly five years now,” he answers, maintaining a professional tone. “I’ve been driving for the Archer family since Gray was first drafted into the NHL.”

“Wow,” I breathe, impressed by his dedication. “You must have seen a lot over the years.”

“Indeed,” he agrees, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners as he offers a small smile. “But my job is to be discreet and reliable, so that’s all I’ll say about that.”

“Fair enough,” I say, respecting his loyalty to Gray and the rest of the Archer family. We reach the car, a sleek black sedan, and Charlie opens the door for me. “Thank you,” I murmur, sliding into the plush leather seat.

“Of course, Miss Price,” he responds, closing the door gently before making his way to the driver’s side.

As he drives, I can’t help but look out the window, captivated. The bustling energy of New York surrounds me as we drive through the streets, capturing my full attention. I’ve never been here before, and I can’t help but feel awestruck at the sheer scale of it all—the towering buildings, the endless stream of people, and the vibrant life that seems to hum beneath the surface. My eyes dart from one sight to another, trying to absorb as much as possible.

“Is this your first time in the city, Miss Price?” Charlie asks, his voice interrupting my thoughts.

“Yes, it is,” I admit, feeling slightly embarrassed for gawking like a tourist. “It’s just so…different from what I’m used to.”

“New York has a way of making a lasting impression on people,” Charlie says with a knowing smile. “I believe you’ll find it quite unforgettable.”

As we continue driving, I notice the stadium approaching in the distance, its grand structure dominating the skyline. The closer we get, the more my excitement grows.

We pull into the parking lot, and I can’t help but smile at the sight of the filled spots, each one representing a fan who’s come to support the boys. They’ve come so far, and I couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.

I still remember when they were little boys with dreams of being drafted into the NHL. Even though my dreams didn’t come true, I’m so happy that theirs did.

“Wow, looks like they have a great turnout tonight,” I comment, my heart swelling with pride.

“Indeed, Miss Price,” Charlie agrees, pulling into an open spot. “The Utica Legends’ games always draw a crowd.”

Eager to see the rink and reunite with the guys, I unbuckle my seat belt and reach for the door handle. But as I do, a sudden pang of doubt washes over me. What if things between us have changed? What if our bond has weakened during our time apart?

“Are you alright, Miss Price?” Charlie’s concerned voice brings me back to the present.

“Yeah,” I say, forcing a smile. “Just a little nervous, I guess.”

He hums. “Right this way, Miss Price,” he says, leading me through the bustling stadium.

We make our way to a luxurious premium room, and I can’t help but gasp at its beauty. Ornate chandeliers cast a soft glow over the plush seating area, while a sleek bar lines one wall, stocked with a myriad of drinks. But the pièce de résistance is the enormous television mounted on the opposite wall, broadcasting the game in crystal-clear quality.

“Wow, this is incredible,” I breathe, my eyes wide with awe. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Only the best for Mr. Archer’s friends,” Charlie replies with a polite smile. “Please, have a seat. I’ll fetch you something to eat.”

“Thank you, Charlie.” I flash him a grateful smile before sinking into one of the comfortable chairs facing the TV.

As I settle in, my gaze locks onto the screen. My heart skips a beat when I spot Theo and Reid on the ice. They move with such grace and power, their years of dedication evident in every stride. It feels like it’s been a lifetime since I last watched them play.

“Come on, guys,” I whisper under my breath, willing them to feel my support from afar.

“Nice move, Reid!” I shout, unable to contain my excitement when he dodges an opposing player with ease. A grin tugs at my lips, and I’m reminded of all the times we used to practice together, laughter filling the air as we chased each other across the rink.

“Almost there, Theo!” I cheer as he expertly passes the puck to a teammate, strategizing their next move. Watching him now, so focused and determined, it’s hard to believe that beneath his cool exterior lies the same guy who would tease me relentlessly growing up.

“Get that goal!” I practically scream.

And then, just like that, it happens. Reid breaks away from the pack, skating faster than I’ve ever seen him go. With a swift flick of his wrist, he sends the puck soaring straight into the net. The arena erupts in cheers, and I find myself joining in, leaping to my feet and screaming at the top of my lungs.

“YES! REID, YOU DID IT!”

“Match point!” the announcer booms, confirming the victory I already knew in my heart. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and I can’t help but feel incredibly proud of everything they’ve achieved.

I can’t wait to congratulate them in person.