Chapter 19—Final Period

Jared paced the hallway of the hospital while his entourage hung out nearby in the waiting room. Bronson sat in one corner talking to a detective.

The doctor came out of the room where Steph was, and Jared rushed to intercept him. “Are you Stephanie’s family?”

“Yes,” he lied—though it wasn’t really a lie. He was her family. He indicated the others sitting in the waiting room with worried expressions. “They are, too.”

“Large family,” the doctor quipped.

Jared scowled. He wasn’t in the mood for a physician moonlighting as a comedian. “Can I see her? How is she? Is she going to be all right?”

The doctor sighed. “Yes, she’ll be fine. Some bruising and a concussion. We’ll keep her overnight for observation, but she should be able to go home in the morning.”

“Thank God.”

“You can go in if you’d like, but only two at a time.”

Jared didn’t wait to hear more; he hurried into the hospital room. Steph’s face was pale against the white pillow. She had a bruise on her cheek and one on her forehead. She smiled feebly as he entered. He pulled a chair next to her bed and sat down, grasping both her hands.

“Bronson told us what happened. You were brave, Steph.”

“I don’t feel brave. What happened after I kicked him in the nuts?”

Jared chuckled. “God, I wish I’d seen that. I guess you incapacitated the bastard. Bronson took him to the ground and held him until the cops got there.”

“I was so worried about you.”

“I should’ve stayed with Vi. What I did was stupid. I only wanted to talk privately, explain everything.”

“I know most of it, sweetheart, and all I care about is that you’re okay. What happened in your past doesn’t matter. I know you would’ve told me when the time was right.”

“I’m really tired. I—”

Steph’s eyes fluttered shut, and Jared laid his head on the side of her bed. He wasn’t going anywhere until she could go with him.

* * * *

Steph left the hospital the next morning. She wasn’t any worse for wear, but she was sore and exhausted. She didn’t remember much other than Jared carrying her in his arms and putting her in bed, and then she slept.

When she woke, it was already dark out. She’d slept the entire day. She glanced around at the strange room. The furniture was nothing special. Clothes were thrown about on the floor, the dresser, and the chair in the corner. This had to be Jared’s place.

Steph struggled to sit up in bed and survey her surroundings. The room was small, and far from the elegant master bedroom she’d have pictured as part of a wealthy hockey player’s home, though the mess was pure Jared.

Hearing the click of a door opening, she turned to see him standing in the doorway. He wore faded jeans and an equally worn T-shirt.

“How you feeling?”

“Okay. Is this your place?”

“Yeah, this is my apartment.” He seemed embarrassed. He crossed the room then sat down next to her and pulled her close but was careful not to touch her injuries.

Steph surveyed the room once again, not asking the obvious question, but she could tell by the sheepish look on Jared’s face that she didn’t need to.

“You’re not the only one who was hiding something. I’m broke, Steph. It’ll be a few years before I recover financially from the divorce. I can explain the legal details later when you’re feeling better, but suffice it to say that Candy bled me dry. It’s temporary, though. I do make a good income.”

“Do you think I care?”

“No, actually, I don’t. I was a fool, and I should’ve told you earlier about my financial situation, but it’s hard to admit what an idiot I was.”

Steph nodded slowly. “I know how you feel. It doesn’t matter to me if you live in a mansion and drive a Mercedes or live here and drive a Toyota.”

“And I don’t care that you were a stripper.”

“You really don’t?”

“No. I had a tough time at first, knowing my teammates had seen you naked, but I don’t care. It’s not who you are and has nothing to do with the beautiful woman I fell in love with.” He met her gaze. “I love you, Steph.”

“You love me?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Jared.”

He hugged her tight, drew back, and kissed her with the power of a man in love with the woman of his destiny. She kissed him right back.

“One more thing,” he said.

“What’s that?”

“When you’re ready, tell me about the baby.”

“You know about my baby?”

He nodded and rubbed his thumb over the point of her shoulder. “You can't keep secrets among our friends. If one knows, we all know.”

“It was a sad time, but I’m better now.” The pain of losing her child didn't hurt as much as it once did. There would always be scars, but Jared had helped heal those wounds.

“I’m glad, because someday I’d like to have children and grow old with you—if you’re willing?”

“Yes to the children. Do you want to get married?” she blurted before thinking.

He grinned, showing both dimples. “Are you asking me to marry you? Because if you are, the answer is yes.”

Steph kissed him. She never thought she’d be the one to propose, but, hey, it worked for her.

“What happened to Gino?” she asked.

“He’s in jail for kidnapping, and all sorts of other legal and criminal crap I can’t recall. He should be put away for a long time.”

“Good. I need a little less drama in my life.”

“So do I, sweetheart. So do I.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “You missed one other bit of news.”

“What’s that?”

“Giles proposed to Agnes.”

Steph laughed and squeezed Jared hard. “I knew it.”

He gazed into her eyes and kissed her again. “Just like I knew you were the one the moment I saw you.”