Bring it on

Chapter 26

The locker room smells of sweat and ice, the pungent smell of hockey gear intertwined with the dull roar of the crowd still echoing from the stands. The guys are celebrating-already joking around, slapping each other on the back. The championship game is over, and it feels like the whole arena is still buzzing with excitement. But amidst all that noise, there's only one thing on my mind: Natalie.

I cannot get her out of my head. The way she looked at me when I scored that in, the game-winning goal. The way her smile lit up the whole rink, how she jumped in excitement like she'd scored it herself. I've never been more sure of anything in my life.

The thought hits me like a wave. I'm not just ready for the next step with her-I want it. I want her to be my forever.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. My teammate, Mark, leans against the lockers pulling off his gear, and catches me staring off into space.

"You look like you're somewhere else, man," he says, smiling, tossing his stick into his bag. "You still buzzing from that shot, or what?"

I snap out of it, shaking my head. "Yeah, but I've got other things on my mind."

Mark raises an eyebrow at the caught tone in my voice. He's one of the few guys on the team who knows how serious I am about Natalie. We've talked about it in passing, but this feels different. This is something I've been considering for a while now, and the excitement of the win only amplified the thoughts that have been building in my head.

"You've got that look, man," he says, leaning in like he's trying to read my mind. "What's going on?"

I pause for a second, glancing around the room. It's quieter now, the guys mostly focused on getting changed or chatting amongst themselves. I know I can trust Mark, and there's no better guy to bounce an idea off than him.

"I think... I think I'm ready to propose to Natalie," I say, the words falling out of my mouth with more ease than I'm anticipating.

Mark blinks, his eyes wide with surprise. "No kidding?"

I nod, my heart skipping at the thought of it. "Yeah, I've known for a while, but after today-after seeing her in the stands, watching me, cheering me on, I'm just so sure." I let out a breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "She's it for me. I don't want to wait any longer."

Mark bursts out laughing, clapping me on the back. "Dude, that's huge. You've been with her for what, almost a year now? And you two are solid. I don't even have to think twice about it. You're ready."

I smile, a little relieved at his reaction. Mark's not one to sugarcoat things, so I know when he says something like that, he means it. Yet, a part of me is still nervous-what if I mess this up? What if she's not ready?

"What if she says no?" I ask, the thought creeping in like a shadow.

Mark shakes his head, the playful grin on his face softening into something more sincere. "Ethan, come on. You've seen the way she looks at you. You're the guy she wants, and if you're asking her to marry you, she's already all in."

I can't argue that. Every time I look at Natalie, it's the same thing: a person believing in me, one having my back through it all, one fitting into my life just so perfectly. We have been through so much now-long practices, game nights where I barely saw her because I was so focused on the team, all the late-night talks.

But through it all, she's been there.

Mark leans against the wall, crossing his arms, his grin coming back. "So, what are you thinking for the proposal? Gonna do the whole 'knee in front of a crowd' thing?"

I laugh, the thought of proposing on a hockey rink making me cringe. "Nah. I don't know... maybe something more personal. I want it to be about us, not a show for everyone else.

Mark gives me one of those knowing nods. "Good call. Something private, something special. That's what'll make it mean the most."

I start to pace a little, already thinking of a hundred ways I could ask her. Part of me wants to take her somewhere we've never been, somewhere quiet-just the two of us. But then, there's another part of me that wants to do it at the rink, where it all began for us-the place where I first saw her, the place where she's always been my biggest supporter.

I just want it to be perfect for her," I say more to myself than to Mark.

"You're already perfect for her, man," Mark says, sounding serious for a moment. "Just do it your way. Whatever you do, she's gonna love because it's coming from you. You got this."

I exhale a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Mark. Needed to hear that.

Mark bursts out laughing. "Anytime, bro. Now get to planning. You've got a wedding to prepare for."

I smile, already thinking about the ring I've been eyeing for weeks now, the perfect moment when I'll ask her to be mine forever.

Ethan and Natalie-together forever. Can't wait for the next chapter in our story.