Shot on Goal

Epilogue

Wrapping my arms around Jo's waist from behind, I bent down, grazing my lips against her ear. "Has anyone told you that you look absolutely stunning today?"

"Not yet," she drawled, leaning back against me before turning on her heel. "Though I couldn't help but notice that some guy couldn't keep his eyes off me during the ceremony."

"What can I say?" I grinned, pulling her even closer. "You're irresistible."

Because while every other person's gaze had been trained on Aimee and Jack as they stood at the front of the room, exchanging vows, my attention had continuously veered towards Jo. As the maid of honor, she wore a floor length, rose colored dress, and the way the fabric hugged her curves had me aching to run my hands over the smooth skin underneath.

Though that would have to wait.

The wedding reception had only just begun, and while the bride and groom had yet to make their appearance in the grand ballroom they'd booked out, anywhere you looked, people were happy. They were dancing, talking, and laughing, making the most of the event.

"Am I now?" Jo teased, throwing both arms over my shoulders, her hands tangling in my hair.

"Mhm," I murmured in agreement, brushing my lips against hers. "Very."

Despite the fact we were in public, I deepened the kiss, relaxing as I felt her smile.

"Hey, now," Wellsley said, wandering over with three beers in his hands. "Cut that shit out. Some of us weren't lucky enough to have a date to this shindig."

I chuckled as Jo stepped back, though I didn't let my hand fall from her waist. "What's the matter, man?" Plucking two beers off him, I took a swig from one while passing the other off to Jo. "Been a while for you?"

From the corner of my eye, I saw Jo hide her smile as she brought her drink to her lips.

Wellsley grunted in response. "Just not a fan of weddings."

Jo's eyebrows shot upwards. "Really?"

"Ask most men in here and they'll say the same thing." His eyes flickered my way. "Well, at least the single ones will."

"But coming stag gives you a chance to score with the women who came alone," I pointed out.

"True," he conceded, though even as his gaze arced over the room, it didn't seem like one woman caught his attention. "Very true."

"Wellsley, Brookes," Orlov called from the bar, waving us over. "Shots?"

While I shook my head, gesturing that my beer was enough for now, Wellsley agreed, knocking his fist with mine before heading over to join a group of our teammates.

"So," Jo started, "is Wellsley right? Most men don't like weddings?"

"I wouldn't say we don't like them," I replied, shrugging. "More like we're kind of indifferent towards them. They're a bit too big of spectacle, the food's usually only mediocre, and we're forced to squeeze ourselves into a tux for the whole day."

"And what about the good parts?"

"Like?"

"Oh, you know—" She waved her hands around. "—the friends you get to see, the cake, the open bar." A sly smile quirked her lips upwards. "The end of the night, when everyone goes their separate ways and you get to see what's underneath your date's dress."

Now that got my attention. Especially since, with the way women seemed to be flocking to her boutique since its opening, Jo always seemed to have some new design she wanted to show me. And I never complained.

"An Ever After original, I presume?"

Her eyes shone knowingly. "Of course."

"You're totally right," I said, kissing her quickly as she laughed. "Weddings are definitely worth it."

As the band came to the end of their song, the music faded and the lead singer tapped the microphone, waiting for the room to quiet before announcing the arrival of the newlyweds. The room of guests applauded as Aimee and Jack entered the room, smiling and completely in love as they took to the center of the room for their first official dance as husband and wife.

"Don't they look amazing together?" Jo sighed wistfully as she watched her best friend—six months pregnant and glowing—smiling up at her husband.

"They do."

Watching Jack twirl Aimee around the dance floor after declaring his love for her made something flip in my chest. A feeling of wanting. Of knowing that someday in the next year or two, if things played out how I pictured them to, I would be the one in the center of a ballroom with the love of my life.

The woman standing in front of me.

"You know I love you, right?" I asked, my voice just above a whisper as the song ended and the crowd clapped.

Turning around to gaze up at me, her features softened. "I love you, too."

"Then how about honoring me with a dance?" I asked, nodding to where a few other couples were joining Aimee and Jack on the dance floor.

Her eyes widened marginally as they flickered down to my right leg, which had been freed from its cast the week before. "Are you sure?"

Taking her hand, I brought it up to my lips as I nodded. "I'll be good. Just think of it as another method of physical therapy. Plus—" I gestured towards the band. "—I may have slipped the band a twenty before they went on to make sure they played a few slow songs in a row after the first dance."

"Then how can I say no?"

Leaning in to kiss the smile right off her face, I led her onto the dance floor, fully intending to hold her in my arms the rest of the night. And from the look on her face—gentle and loving—she didn't mind.

Not one bit.

THE END

a/n: And it's complete! (AGAIN!) In case you all didn't know, I had actually finished writing and posting the first draft of this story in 2019, but took it down to fully edit it. It's now returned in its full edited glory and I'm so happy to say that! I hope you all enjoyed it <3

This is the first story (chronologically) in the Boston Knights universe and, in case you weren't aware, the second story is ALSO up in FULL on my profile already! It's called Fate of Collision and follows Derrick Wellsley! I do also have a third story planned following Ryan Nyberg, called Out of The Blue, that I have a bit written for offline and hope to work on soon so I can start posting!

To stay up to date with updates, make sure to follow me (both on Wattpad and other social media!)

Until next time x