Page 105 of Stick By Me

Leo dipped his head, then faced me. “I’ve got some money saved up. We could maybe buy something, or rent, whatever you want to do. I’m sure when you get your contract, you’ll want to buy something, right?” He held his breath for a beat. “All I know is, I want to be with you as much as possible.”

“I want to be with you, too.” I cupped his cheek. “Yes, Leo,I’ll move in with you. We can rent somewhere over the summer while I’m in camp, but…yeah.” This was a big step, but I was ready for it.

“Good. It’s settled then.” He pressed his lips to mine, giving me a lingering kiss.

Everyone behind us counted down from ten, then cheered as fireworks raced into the sky from all over the valley and burst into vivid colors, lighting up the jagged mountains around us.

Leo wrapped his hand around my neck and rested his forehead on mine. “Love you, babe.”

“Love you more.” I lifted my head and tapped my glass against his. “Happy New Year, Leo.”

EPILOGUE

LEO

Ten Months Later

Isat behind the bench at Mullett arena with Dad, watching Archer play the game of his life. The Coyotes had indeed given him a nice contract and now he was being coached by Richard.

Archer swung around his goal with the puck and passed to the Coyote’s center, then raced up the ice.

“This is the first time they’ve had him playing, right?” Dad sipped his beer.

“It is. Sullivan is out with a groin strain, so Richard decided to use Archer early in the game to test him out.” I sat at the edge of my seat. This could be the end of Archer being a benchwarmer most of this season.

The puck passed back and forth between Coyotes players as they brought it into Blackhawk territory.

“How’s the new house?” Dad threw me a knowing grin.

“Great. We’re all moved in and unpacked and while Archer’s traveling next week, I’ll be looking at furniture.” My heart warmed.Archer trusts me to pick out our décor. Probably because hekeeps calling me a metro-sexual. Okay, and he knows I’m good with money and won’t spend a fortune on it.

The Coyotes left winger shot the puck.

“Oh, shit.” I hopped up, my pulse quickening.

Dropping to the ice, the Blackhawks goalie caught the puck in his leg pads and tossed it to his left D-man.

Archer hightailed it toward him, checked him and stole the puck, then snapped it to his center.

With a flick of his stick, the center blasted the puck up high and into the corner of the net.

The buzzer went off along with the flashing red light on the goal.

“Holy shit! Archer got an assist!” I jumped up and down, laughing. I knew he could make it happen. He’d worked so damn hard all summer. “Did you see that?”

With a chuckle, Dad rose to stand next to me. “I did. That was a great shot.”

All the Coyotes on the ice skated to Archer and wrapped him up in bear hugs, slapping at his back and smiling. After all the fanfare, Archer looked toward us in the stands, then tapped the finger of his glove to his neck, where his necklace lay, mouthing,that was for you, babe.

I fisted my hand over my heart, my chest warming and the corners of my eyes stinging. I’d never tire of him and the life we were sharing. He was all mine and I was all his.