Three Pucking Wedding Dates (Hockey Harems #1)

60. Oakley

60

OAKLEY

I stand among the other bridesmaids, feeling the weight of their unspoken judgments. The frosty reception is almost palpable, and I can’t help but feel like an outsider. My long, wavy brown hair cascades down my back while my eyes scan the room, taking in the tense atmosphere.

“Did you see the game last night?” one of the bridesmaids whispers to another, her voice barely audible. “Oakley’s boyfriend scored the winning goal. One of them, anyway. Apparently she’s dating three of them.”

My heart clenches as I overhear their conversation, but I refuse to let it show on my face. Reid, Theo, and Gray—they’re more than just professional hockey players, they’re my support system and my happiness. It’s strange how something as simple as a championship game can throw our unconventional relationship into the spotlight, but then again, we’ve never been ones to follow the norm.

“Can you believe she’s dating all three of them?” another bridesmaid chimes in, her tone dripping with disdain. “How does she even keep up?”

A strand of my hair stubbornly escapes my updo as I feel the shift in the air, and one of the bridesmaids finally directs her question at me. “So, Oakley, is it true that you’re dating all three of those hockey players?”

I take a deep breath, holding my head high as I meet her gaze. My heart beats faster, but I nod, resigned to the truth. “Yes, it’s true.”

The room erupts in a flurry of questions, curiosity overpowering their initial judgment.

“How do you manage?”

“What’s it like being with three men?”

“Aren’t you worried about what people think?”

“Enough!” I raise my hand, silencing the barrage of inquiries. “You want to know how it happened? Fine.” My voice is steady, reflecting years of weathering hardships and standing up for myself.

“My feelings for Reid, Theo, and Gray developed organically,” I explain, my eyes flickering between the bridesmaids. “I didn’t plan on falling for three men, but I did. And they didn’t plan on falling for me either, but they did.”

My fingers fidget with the fabric of my dress as I continue. “And it’s not about managing or keeping up with them—we’re a team. They support me, and I support them. We make it work because we care for one another, and that’s all that matters.”

“Isn’t it difficult, though?” one bridesmaid asks hesitantly, her curiosity genuine. “I mean, most people struggle with one relationship.”

“Of course it’s difficult at times,” I admit, my tone softening. “But so is any relationship. Each of us puts in the effort to communicate and be there for one another, and that’s what makes it work.”

I glance around the room, my eyes locking onto each bridesmaid’s gaze. “At the end of the day, what we have is love and support, and it doesn’t matter whether it comes from one person or three. The important thing is that we’re happy.”

The tension in the room eases as I watch the bridesmaids’ expressions change from doubt to intrigue. Their questions, once sharp edged and defensive, now feel like genuine interest, and I feel a small sense of relief.

“Wow, Oakley,” one of the bridesmaids murmurs, her eyes wide with surprise. “I didn’t expect that. It actually sounds kind of beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I reply quietly, my heart swelling at the unexpected show of support.

“Oakley?” another bridesmaid speaks up hesitantly, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I…I just wanted to say I’m sorry about Georgia and Dan. We all know what happened between them, and we know how much it hurt you.”

My breath catches in my throat, memories of betrayal and pain welling up inside me. It’s a wound I thought had healed, yet her words dig back into it, reopening old scars. But deep down, I recognize the sincerity behind the apology, and it’s enough for my anger to subside.

“Thank you,” I say again, swallowing the lump in my throat. “It was a difficult time, but I’ve moved on. And honestly, if it weren’t for everything that happened, I might never have found Reid, Theo, and Gray. So in a way, I’m grateful.”

Their expressions soften further, understanding and sympathy replacing judgment. I watch as the icy atmosphere melts away, replaced by something warmer, more open. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress, and I’ll take it.

We continue chatting, our conversation flowing more freely now. The bridesmaids ask me about my relationships with each of the men, and I answer honestly, hoping to shed light on the love that binds us together. They listen intently, their curiosity turning into respect as I share my story.

I stand tall, my hands folded in front of me, as my heart swells with an unexpected sense of relief. The bridesmaids’ expressions are no longer cold, but filled with curiosity and understanding.

“Oakley,” one of the bridesmaids says cautiously, “we never expected you to be so gracious about everything. I mean, it’s not every day someone finds happiness in a situation like this.”

I smile softly, feeling the tension between us start to dissipate. “Life is full of surprises, isn’t it? And sometimes, those surprises lead us to places we never thought we’d be.”

“Like in the arms of three amazing men?” another bridesmaid asks playfully, her eyes twinkling with genuine interest.

“Exactly,” I reply, chuckling. “I know it’s unconventional, but my relationship with Reid, Theo, and Gray has brought me so much happiness. It’s difficult to imagine life without them now.”

As I share snippets of our experiences together, I can see the walls around the bridesmaids’ hearts crumbling. Their body language shifts, and they lean in closer, eager to hear more about the love that grows stronger each day among the four of us.

“Wow,” one of them murmurs, her voice filled with awe. “You’re really lucky, Oakley. To have found not just one, but three people who truly care for you…that’s something special.”

“Thank you,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “Believe me, I know how fortunate I am. And I’m grateful for the way things turned out, even if the journey was painful at times.”

“Sometimes, the most difficult paths lead to the most beautiful destinations,” another bridesmaid adds, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears.

The air in the room seems to grow warmer, lighter, as we continue to bond over shared stories and laughter. The frosty reception I braced myself for has faded, replaced by tentative connections and newfound understanding.

“Oakley,” one of the bridesmaids says, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder, “I think it’s safe to say that we misjudged you. And I hope you can forgive us for that.”

“Of course,” I reply, smiling at her sincerity. “We all make mistakes, but what matters is how we grow from them.”

The sun filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the vanity as we gather around it. My reflection in the mirror reveals a transformation—my makeup is flawless, highlighting the sparkle in my green eyes and the curve of my high cheekbones. The bridesmaid dress hugs my body just right, its rich emerald hue complementing my wavy brown hair.

“Wow, Oakley, you look stunning,” one of the bridesmaids gasps, and I can’t help but agree.

“Thank you,” I say with a genuine smile, touched by their newfound kindness. “You all look beautiful too.”

Together, we put on our finishing touches, chattering about the excitement ahead. The tension from earlier has dissolved, leaving behind a sense of camaraderie that I never expected to find in this group.

“Are you nervous?” a bridesmaid asks me, her gaze meeting mine in the mirror.

“Maybe a little,” I confess, fiddling with the delicate bracelet around my wrist. “But I’m also excited. Today is about celebrating love, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”

“Your guys will be there supporting you,” another bridesmaid reminds me, a teasing glint in her eye. “All three of them.”

I laugh, feeling my cheeks flush. “Yes, they will. I couldn’t ask for better partners.”

“Okay, ladies,” someone announces, clapping her hands together. “It’s time to head out.”

A flutter of anticipation rises within me as we file out of the room, our heels clicking softly against the polished floor. I take a deep breath, my thoughts racing between apprehension and hope.