Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“I’m begging you to make one of those,” Mila says, eyes bright with amusement.
“Only if Penn stars in it,” Lucky says, wagging his brows.
I flip him off, but I’m smiling. And it hits me—this is what I’ve been missing. This ease. This acceptance. The kind of camaraderie I thought I lost a decade ago. A burst of confidence hits me and I decide to go all in. “All right… I’ll do it.”
Lucky blinks at me and the rest of the guys stare slack-jawed.
“What?” I demand. “I’ve got layers. I can pivot.”
Mila leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder, and I wrap an arm around her waist. It’s instinctual now—natural in a way I didn’t think public affection would ever be.
King notices. “Look at you, Navarro. Being all… emotionally available.”
“Fuck off,” I say, but there’s no heat in it.
We sit like that for a while, swapping stories, dodging the heavier stuff. Jackson eventually wanders over and stands by the booth, arms folded.
“Jackson,” Mila says warmly. “Grab a chair.”
He glances around the table. “You boys mind if I crash?”
“Long as you’ve got a TikTok handle,” Lucky says.
“I don’t, but my wife’s a princess. That get me in?”
“Absolutely,” King deadpans.
Jackson pulls up a chair. “So, what are we talking about?”
“Lucky’s obsession with TikTok,” Atlas says, throwing his thumb at his teammate.
Jackson turns his head that way and Lucky appraises him. “Your wife is a real-life princess?”
“Yup.”
“I’ve got a great idea we can roll out on Tik Tok,” he says and again starts explaining his latest flash of genius. I listen attentively, and admittedly, Lucky is impossible not to like. The guy is magnetic in that chaotic golden retriever kind of way. One second, he’s making everyone laugh, and the next, he’s got his phone out filming another weird-ass video. Just after the game, he was trying to get Coach West to join him in doing the Macarena in the locker room.
When he takes a breather from his most recent idea involving royalty, I ask, “You ever think about turning that into a side hustle? TikTok stardom?”
Lucky grins. “Already have. Sponsorship offers are rolling in. I might be the first hockey player to go pro on the ice and as an influencer.”
“Not sure you’re off base,” Foster admits. “My kid watches your videos. I had to explain what a thirst trap is.”
“Oh, I don’t do thirst traps,” Lucky says innocently.
“You literally licked a hockey stick while shirtless two days ago,” Rafferty reminds him. “You hashtagged yourself as a thirst trap.”
Lucky shrugs. “Art.”
We all burst out laughing and tonight I’ve learned what it really feels like to not just be on the team, but to be a part of the team.
The laughter fades as drinks are refilled and conversations drift into smaller pockets.
Rafferty’s gaze lands on Mila. “You look contemplative.”
She shifts beside me, her gaze soft. “I’m just thankful for everything.” Her eyes cut up to me and back to Rafferty. “To you guys for giving Penn your friendship. I don’t think he realized how badly he needed this.”
They all glance at me, and for once, I don’t shy away from it, even though my face feels red hot with embarrassment. I’m not mad she called me out like that, though. It comes from a place of deep caring.
Foster raises his glass. “To Penn. For doing what was right. And for finally showing up for drinks.”
I lift my own. “To you guys—for giving me a second chance to belong.”
The clink of glasses is quiet but powerful. My teammates share smiles. Jackson watches intently, eyes roaming with one ear on the conversation. Maybe cataloging threats. Maybe just making sure we’re safe.
But I think… maybe he sees it too.
That I’m not running solo anymore. I’ve got a team.
And I’ve got Mila.
CHAPTER 23
Mila
We step off the Titans’ private jet into the bright light of day. It’s been a long week—Edmonton to Dallas to Calgary—and now back to chilly Pittsburgh. I stifle a yawn as Penn leads me into the terminal, his hand holding mine.
Despite all the chaos of our lives, this week has been one of the best of my life. Traveling with the team has been a dream, but mostly it’s the time I’m getting with Penn. Day by day, hour after hour, layers are being peeled back from both of us. He’s easily affectionate with me in front of his teammates and when we’re alone in our room at night, he does things to my body that I didn’t know were possible. We’ve barely spoken about the hazing, the threats, the article or our security protection. We’ve huddled in a bubble and let the outside world swirl around us.
While the first game of the road trip was a victory, they lost the last two and everyone is quiet as we enter the terminal. Penn grabs our bags, maneuvering both our large ones as I wheel my small carry-on. There are quiet goodbyes among the teammates with promises that tomorrow is a new day and they’ll get back on track.