Chapter 28
Danielle
Sophie and I are finishing off another glass of champagne when my phone begins to ring. I grab it off the bench and look down to find Miller’s name on my caller ID.
“Hi” I grin.
“Hey, baby, we’re coming up,” He says, sounding extremely happy that it makes me wonder if he has started drinking already. “Are you in our room or Sophie’s?” he asks.
“Sophie’s,” I tell him.
“K, see you in a bit,” he says then hangs up.
By the time I’ve finished calling out to Sophie that the boys are back and refilled our glasses, they are right there, pushing through the door.
“There you are, superstar,” I grin as I sashay over to him. “Where the hell have you been all my life?”
“Waiting for you,” he murmurs in my ear as he tosses a stack of papers on the desk by the door then loops his arms around me and lifts me up off my feet, giving me a tight squeeze.
I let out a girly squeal and demand he puts me down immediately, which of course he doesn’t.
Sophie rushes out of the bathroom and wobbles slightly on her heels as she throws herself into Tanks arms and instantly latches her lips onto his.
“How much have you girls been drinking?” he asks, clearly having seen Sophie’s wobble.
I grin up at him. “We just finished off the bottle,” I explain.
“Have you eaten?” he asks with a raised, questioning eyebrow.
“Nope,” I say, popping the p.
“Alright, how about we take you for dinner, we can tell you everything that happened tonight and then we can party,” he grins.
“Sounds good to me,” I laugh.
“Me too,” Sophie grumbles into Tanks lips.
I can’t help but roll my eyes at their display of affection, but I must say, I am pretty damn proud of my girl. She has made huge changes in her life and finally figured out how amazing it feels to actually commit herself to one man, to allow herself to love and be loved in return and apparently, by the looks of it, she is really enjoying the feeling.
“Let’s get out of here,” Tank says, coming up for air.
Sophie and I grab our things and before we know it we are out the door, hailing a cab and being seated in an Italian restaurant.
“So, did you sort out Trent?” I ask as we flick through our menus.
“Nah,” Miller says, “I figure after making him look like a fool on the ice and your beating. He has pretty much learned not to fuck with us” he explains. “And after his performance tonight, there is no way he would have been offered a contract.”
I smile up at him. “I’m proud of you,” I mouth.
He gives me a panty dropping smile then reaches over the table and takes my hand in his.
We all order and I can’t help but notice the cheeky looks Tank and Miller keep passing each other like they are keeping a big secret. “Alright. What gives?” I ask them both.
“What are you talking about?” Miller smirks as our dinner is put down in front of us.
“You two,” I say, waving my finger between them both and narrowing my eyes at them. “Somethings going on here and I want to know what it is.”
“We can’t just be happy that were National Champions?” Tank asks.
“No,” Sophie says suspiciously as her eyes flick between the boys and suddenly widen “Holy shit. Are you in? Did you get a contract?” she rushes out.
Holy crap. How could I have forgotten, of course, that would have happened tonight.
The boys grin like little school boys who just saw their first set of tits. “Yeah, we got a contract,” Miller says, watching me for my reaction.
“Fuck,” I shout, jumping up from my seat and launching myself across the table to him. “Holy shit, wow. That’s amazing. You really are a superstar. What team is it?” I ask him as I plant a huge kiss on his lips.
“That’s not the best part,” he warns me.
I sit back on his lap to study his face and see him look over at Tank who currently has a very excited Sophie straddled over his lap. “Spill it,” I demand.
“Well…,” he says, dragging it out. “We got three offers. Chicago, Colorado and L.A, they want us as a package deal but will still accept us as individuals if that doesn’t happen.”
“Wow,” I say, looking at him in absolute awe as my eyes begin to water. “Congratulations. You did it. Mia would be so proud of you,” I tell him.
He wipes away my tears with his thumbs. “Baby. No matter which team I choose, I want you to come with me,” he says.
I look deep into his eyes and search for any sign that this could all be a dream. “Are you sure?” I ask.
“Yeah, you’re graduating soon and I want you with me. I’m going to buy us a house and make an honest woman out of you and then we can have a million kids if you want, hell maybe even a dog call Louie,” he grins.
“I love you so much,” I tell him.
“Good,” he smirks, “because this would be seriously fucked up if you didn’t.”
I eventually climb off his lap and eat my dinner that has definitely gone cold.
“So, where are you planning on accepting?” Sophie asks them both.
“Well, we were talking about it on the way back to the hotel. I’ve always dreamed about L.A, so I’ll be signing that contract,” Tank announces getting a delighted squeal out of Sophie who I know has always wanted to be a journalist in L.A.
“What about you?” I ask Miller.
He studies my face and sits back in his chair. “I’m happy with either Chicago or L.A. So I guess it depends on where you would rather be,” he says.
“What?” I shriek. “No way. You’re not leaving this decision up to me,” I tell him.
“Baby, as long as I have you. I don’t care where it is I’m playing hockey. Which city is going to be the best from a PR point of view?” he asks.
“L.A, easily. But what’s that got to do with hockey?”
“I want you to have everything, Dani. And if a career in PR is what you want and L.A is the best option for that, then that’s where we’re going,” he declares.
“Are you serious? L.A? We’re moving to L.A and you’re just going to hand me all my dreams on a silver platter?” I clarify.
“Yeah, babe. I’m serious and as for your dreams. They are mine too, so really I’m just being a selfish asshole asking you to move with me.”
“Damn right, you are,” I laugh.
“So that’s a yes then? We’re going to L.A. and getting a dog called Louie?”
“Yeah, you big bastard. We’re going to L.A.”