Seal The Deal: A Second Chance Hockey Romance (Colorado Storm Book 1) by Hailey Rodger

Author:Hailey Rodger [Rodger, Hailey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2025-02-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter twenty-five

That was for you, Charlie girl

Jake

The arena is already humming with energy. The sound of skates slicing the ice, sticks clacking, and the steady thrum of the crowd gathering outside is like a familiar rhythm that always gets my blood pumping.

After finishing our drills and pushing through warmups, I head back to the locker room. It’s alive with the usual pre-game rituals. Eli is taping his stick, his brows furrowed in concentration. Chase is bouncing on his feet, hyping himself up. It’s the calm before the storm, and we all feel it.

Normally I’d be focused, but today my mind keeps drifting back to Charlie. To what we are now. Official.

I can’t stop thinking about the nights I’ve spent with her since Thanksgiving—the way she looks up at me, sprawled on the bed like an angel, the feel of her body against mine, the sound of her laughter.

She’s intoxicating.

“Thinking about Charlotte again, huh?” Eli’s voice cuts through my thoughts.

I chuckle, pulling out my pads. “My girl’s never far from my mind.”

“I’m happy for you, man. She’s a catch.”

His words warm me, but they also stir up that lingering worry in the back of my mind. I keep thinking about the kids, too. They’re a package deal, and I’m not just falling for Charlotte, I’m falling for them just as much.

“So, what’s next?” Eli asks, catching my expression.

I shrug, but there’s a smile playing on my lips. “I don’t know. We’re taking it slow, especially with the kids. But I’m in this, all the way.”

Eli nods, his expression serious. “Good. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s you, Brooks.”

I laugh, knowing he’s right but still feeling the weight of it all. “How did you know Tamara was the one? I mean, when did you know you wanted to marry her?”

Eli’s face softens, his gaze distant for a moment. “There wasn’t one big moment, you know? But I remember this time after a rough game. I was beat up, felt like I’d let the team down. Tam didn’t say much, just showed up with my favorite takeout and a movie she knew I loved. Didn’t try to fix it, just sat with me. That’s when I realized I didn’t just want her around when things were good—I wanted her there when things were tough, too.”

The words hit home. Charlie did something similar recently, showing up after a rough game when I’d felt like shit. She just slipped into the condo, made me tea, and let me know she was there. That’s how she’s always been—quietly present, like she sees the parts of me I’m not always sure are worth seeing. And she makes me feel like they are.

I nod and turn back to my locker, the familiar mix of sweat and adrenaline thick in the air. My eyes land on the small, crayon-drawn unicorn taped to the door—Meadow’s masterpiece.

Reaching out, I tap the picture lightly, almost unconsciously. It’s silly, but it centers me.

“Touching the unicorn for luck, huh?” Ryan calls from the bench.

“Can’t mess with the routine,” I shoot back as I grab my helmet.

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