Three Pucking Wedding Dates (Hockey Harems #1)

59. Reid

59

REID

“ O akley, scoot over.”

I slide into the car with a grin still plastered on my face from the adrenaline rush of my game-winning shot. My fingers tingle with the memory of the puck hitting the net as the buzzer sounded.

“Can you believe this guy?” I ask, looking around at Charlie, Theo, and Gray, who are smirking at me in amusement.

“Reid, you crazy bastard,” Oakley says, her green eyes sparkling with disbelief and joy. “You just had to go and confess your love in front of everyone, didn’t you?”

I can’t help but chuckle at her reaction. In a move that’s quintessentially Oakley, she playfully punches me on the shoulder, shaking her head with a mix of exasperation and delight.

“Someone had to make a grand gesture, right?” I reply, my voice teasing. “Besides, it’s not like we haven’t all seen it coming.”

“Speak for yourself,” she retorts, rolling her eyes but unable to hide the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“Oakley,” I say, my tone serious despite the smile that remains plastered on my face, “I meant every word. I really do love you.”

Her green eyes widen slightly, searching mine for any hint of deceit. But there’s only truth there, and she must sense it because her gaze softens. She bites her lip, processing the weight of my admission, and I wait for her response, my heart pounding against my chest.

“Reid, I?—”

“Hey,” I interrupt, wanting to keep things light for now. “How about we go out for dinner? Just the four of us.” The words slip out almost impulsively, surprising both of us with their spontaneity.

“Really?” Oakley asks, raising an eyebrow. “Just like that?”

“Sure, why not?” I reply nonchalantly, as if asking her on a date along with my two brothers is the most natural thing in the world. And maybe, beneath all the layers of our complex relationship, it is. “We’ve got a lot to talk about, and I could use some food after that game.”

“Oakley, come on,” Gray encourages her from the front seat. “You know you’re hungry too.”

She narrows her eyes and presses her lips together, but ultimately sighs in resignation. “Fine, you’re right. Let’s go get something to eat. But aren’t you worried about being seen?” She glances around, as if expecting paparazzi to jump out from behind every corner.

“Who cares if we’re seen?” I reply, trying to sound casual but unable to keep the edge of defiance from creeping into my voice. “I’m not going to hide how I feel about you. If people want to talk, let them talk.”

“I don’t want to cause any trouble for you three,” she says, concern etched across her face. She looks at each of us, her gaze filled with sincerity.

“Oakley, there’s no trouble here,” I assure her, reaching over to gently squeeze her hand. “I meant what I said earlier, and I’m not afraid to show it.”

“Alright then,” she finally concedes with a small smile, pushing aside her reservations.

“Besides,” Gray chimes in, his voice reassuring, “we’re all here to support each other, right?”

“Exactly,” Theo agrees, nodding enthusiastically. “And if people want to talk, let them. We know who we are and what we mean to each other.”

“Wow, this place is amazing,” Oakley marvels, her green eyes reflecting the flicker of candlelight on our table. I can’t help but agree—tonight is definitely a night to remember.

“Here’s to an unforgettable evening,” Gray raises his glass in a toast, his warm brown eyes filled with sincerity.

“Cheers!” we all chime in, clinking our glasses together before taking a sip of the sparkling water.

“Reid, that shot was incredible tonight,” Theo says, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine. “You really pulled through for the team.”

“Thanks,” I reply modestly, feeling a wave of pride wash over me. “I couldn’t have done it without all of you there supporting me.”

“Speaking of support,” Oakley interjects, her voice laced with both sass and gratitude, “I don’t know where I’d be without you guys. You’ve been my rock through everything.”

“Hey, we’re a team, remember?” Theo grins, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “We stick together, no matter what.”

“Absolutely,” Gray adds, his gentle smile reassuring us all of his unwavering dedication.

As the conversation flows effortlessly among us, we share stories and laughter that only serve to strengthen our bond. It’s almost easy to forget the chaos of the game and the complications that loom just beyond the horizon.

“Have any of you ever thought about what you’d be doing if you weren’t playing hockey?” Oakley asks, her curiosity piqued.

“Probably something with animals,” Theo says thoughtfully. “Maybe a veterinarian or something.”

“Really?” Oakley raises an eyebrow, her interest clearly captured by this unexpected revelation.

“Yep.” Theo nods adamantly. “I’ve always loved animals, and I think helping them would be incredibly rewarding.”

I take a moment to consider the question myself, my thoughts lingering on the various paths my life could have taken. “I think I’d probably still be involved in sports somehow,” I admit. “Maybe coaching or training, something that keeps me close to the action.”

“Interesting,” Oakley murmurs, her gaze flicking between each of us as if she’s piecing together a puzzle. “And what about you, Gray?”

Gray hesitates for a moment, his expression contemplative. “I’ve always been drawn to art,” he finally confesses, surprising us all with the vulnerability in his voice. “If not for hockey, I might have pursued a career as an artist.”

“Wow, I never knew that about you,” Oakley admits, her eyes wide with wonder. “That’s really amazing, Gray.”

“Oakley,” I begin, my voice softening with the weight of emotions bubbling to the surface. “There’s something we’ve all been wanting to tell you.” Her gaze shifts between Gray, Theo, and me, curiosity piquing in her eyes.

“Go on,” she encourages hesitantly, her fingers tapping nervously on the edge of her glass.

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I exchange a glance with Gray and Theo. “We love you, Oakley. All three of us. We have for a while now. We’ve each told you that we love you, in our own way, but we wanted to tell you with all of us together too. We want to pursue a real future with you. We love you so much.”

The silence that follows is heavy, filled with unspoken words and lingering questions. Oakley blinks, her lips parting slightly as if she’s searching for the right response.

“Reid’s right,” Gray adds, his warm brown eyes full of sincerity. “You mean so much more to us than just a friend or just something casual. We care about you deeply.”

“Things may not be simple or conventional among us,” Theo interjects, his piercing blue eyes locked onto Oakley’s. “But our feelings are genuine, and we’d do anything for you.”

A flurry of emotions washes over Oakley’s face, from disbelief to joy to uncertainty. She swallows hard, looking down at the tablecloth, suddenly very interested in the intricate patterns embroidered into it. Then, something in her expression strengthens, and she looks up at each of us, her eyes shining.

“I love you too,” she says. “All three of you. I never would have thought this was possible, but what I feel for you…it’s changed my life. You’re so much more than just my best friends now. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I know I want this. I want us .”

She turns to Theo. “You invited me to move in, to live with you, and I told you I needed time to think.” Gray and I share a glance. This is news to us, but also not really a surprise. I’m glad Theo let her know living with us is an option for her, because I would love to come home to her every day, and I know my brothers feel the same.

Theo reaches for her hand. “It’s okay if you still need more time?—”

“I don’t,” she says. “I want that. I want to move to New York and live with all of you.”

I can’t help it—I let out a whoop that turns a few heads in the restaurant, but I couldn’t care less about drawing attention anymore. Let them look. Oakley loves us. She’s gonna live with us. Gray and Theo are grinning just as big as I am.

“Now, we just have to survive a wedding,” I comment.

“Right,” Oakley says, frowning as she remembers the event that brought us all together in the first place. “The wedding.”

“We should probably head out, actually,” Theo says, gesturing for the waiter to ask for the check. “We have a private plane lined up so we can get there fast enough to get some sleep before the big day tomorrow.”

“Is it too late to back out?” Oakley jokes nervously as we exit the restaurant.

“Absolutely not,” Gray chuckles, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “We’re in this together, remember?”

“Besides,” Theo adds, his gaze full of affection and determination, “we wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“Ready?” I ask her, my hand outstretched and inviting.

“Ready,” she confirms.

Love has woven its way into the fabric of our lives, and there’s no turning back.