Chapter 40: Chapter The Long Game: Epilogue

“You know,” Shane said. “The last time I was at an Ottawa Centaurs home opener, I was twelve years old.”

Ilya smiled at him. He hadn’t been able to stop smiling since he’d woken up that morning, and Shane had been just as giddy. They’d kissed each other awake, then took Anya for a jog. They made a big breakfast together and ate it on the back deck because it had been a beautiful, sunny day. Shane had reminded Ilya to take his pill with breakfast—unnecessary, because Ilya had an alert set on his phone to remind him, but still very sweet. They’d had lunch with David and Yuna because Shane had insisted that was an important opening night ritual.

They’d driven together to the arena, stopping at the end of Willa and Andrew’s driveway to get a pep talk and to read their sign. This time it had said and then what had looked like a crude drawing of the Stanley Cup.

It had been a perfect day. Ilya was looking forward to ten more years of them.

“You look good,” Ilya said now. “Even with that stupid logo.”

Shane glanced down at his jersey. “It’s growing on me.”

“Liar.”

“Stop flirting and get in order,” Bood said with a smile. “Shane, you’re supposed to be way up there, between Luca and Tanner.”

“Yes,” Ilya said solemnly. “The back of the line is for .”

Shane glanced again at his own jersey, this time to the empty space on his left chest. “Right. Not used to not having that C.”

“Get used to it,” Ilya said, tapping his own C. “This stays right here.”

Shane gave him a mocking salute, then made his way up the line.

“Fucking prima donna,” Bood teased.

“Who the fuck does he think he is, right?”

“He’s coming for that C.”

Ilya smiled. “I know.”

He heard Shane’s name being called, then the roar of a packed house cheering for the hometown superstar they could finally claim as their own.

“Shit. He’s already more popular than us,” Bood said.

“More popular than , maybe.”

A few minutes later, Ilya rocketed out onto the ice and completed the circle at center ice. Shane stood directly across from him, smiling wide. Ilya smiled back.

“Time to finally get one of those banners, I think,” Bood said over the cheering and the pounding music. “For real this time.”

They absolutely would. Ilya had never been so sure of anything.

“Let’s fucking get it.”