The Keeper (Playing To Win Book 1)

“I hate that I’m wearing flats with this gown.” I turn around and look at myself from behind in the mirror.

“Princess, you had your spleen removed less than two weeks ago. Are you sure you even want to go to this tonight? Nobody would blame you if you wanted to skip it. We could stay in and watch the ball drop from the couch with Myrtle.” Easton moves behind me and runs his hand over my bare back. “I’m sure I could find plenty of doctor-approved, non-strenuous activities to keep us busy.”

I turn to face him and adjust his black bow tie. “Easton Hayes. I am wearing a lace and silk, hand-dyed pink panty and strapless bra set that cost more than some people’s mortgage payments. At the end of this night, we’re going to partake in all the doctor-approved activity we can. But in the meantime, I’m going to walk the black carpet in an Everly Sinclair original with my unbelievably hot husband next to me.” I look him over and lick my lips. “You really do clean up nicely, husband.”

I sway in my pink watercolor ballgown that was hand-sewn by Evie. A small, pink satin ribbon ties around my neck, leaving my back completely bare. Add to that, this stunning gown cinches in at the waist and flares out in box pleats, and it’s the most gorgeous gown I’ve ever seen, and my incredibly talented best friend made it just for me.

“We’re going to show the world we’re all right, and I’m going to start a campaign to change the privacy laws in this country. I don’t want anyone else to ever have to go through what we just went through. And with Becket’s help, I don’t plan on stopping until we’ve got the change we want. One day, we’re going to have babies, E. And I don’t want them to have to deal with this too, just because they’re the children of a fabulously skilled hockey player and a mother who hit the genetic lottery. We’re no different from anyone else, and I want our children to be safe and able to live a normal life like everyone else.”

“You are incredible, Madeline Hayes.” He takes my face in his hands. “I love you, baby.”

“Till we’re old and gray, hockey boy. Till we’re old and gray.”

We ride over to the event in a limo, which Crew rides in with us. He has two other men inside the ballroom already. Not to mention the men Sam has here, simply because his wife and my siblings are here. We’ve all doubled down on security since the accident. It was too close for any of us to feel comfortable.

Some of the media outlets have backed off.

For now.

The Kroydon Kronicles posted a statement after the accident, saying they would no longer run any images gotten by nefarious means. I not sure exactly what constitutes nefarious, but they’ve been willing to leave us alone.

For now.

I doubt that will last though.

The Ballroom at the Beacon House is one of the oldest ballrooms in the city. It overlooks the silver glittery ball the city drops at midnight and provides a perfect view of that and the fireworks from the roof. My sister-in-law, Daphne, has been running this event for years to raise money for her charity supporting the youth of Philadelphia, so it’s no surprise at all that all my friends and family will be there tonight.

We coordinated with the girls and Maddox and Callen so we all arrive together. We walk the black-velvet carpet behind them but don’t answer questions unless they’re asking who I’m wearing, and then I happily name drop my best friend. But one reporter looks familiar. I think I’ve seen her at Easton’s games. “Lindy, how are you feeling?”

I link my arm through Easton’s good arm and pose as flashes go off. “I’m feeling incredibly lucky, thank you for asking. I’m lucky to be alive. I’m lucky to have the love of my life next to me. Not everyone involved in our accident was as lucky as us—all in the name of a photo.” I consider walking away but don’t. Instead, I stand there with my strength at my side, holding me up. “I thank you all for being here tonight. For helping to bring awareness to this incredibly important cause. And I ask you to consider what photos you use in your magazines, newspapers, blog posts, and TV shows. I will always stop for you at events. But I beg you to consider what you’re doing and how you’re doing it the rest of the time.”

Easton moves his hand to the center of my back and guides me into the event. “You feeling okay, princess? You need to sit down?”

“I’m okay for now, but I’ll sit soon. I promise.”

We slowly make our way over to one of the many tables my family has reserved, and eventually take our seats for dinner and Daphne’s speech. Waiters in tuxes with tails and white gloves pass out champagne, but Easton and I stick to soda.

Medication and alcohol is a bitch.

Eventually, Kenzie moves next to me. “How are you feeling?”

“Other than being done with people asking me that?” I answer. “I’m okay. Tired and sore, but I want to stay until midnight. This Cinderella wants to kiss her prince.”

“Just try not to lose your shoe. Your balance hasn’t been the best lately.”

“Brat,” I tease and glance down at my phone to check the time.

“Hey, did you ever watch that video I sent you a few weeks ago? The one I told you to watch with Easton?”

I try to remember what the hell she’s talking about but can’t. I guess I didn’t watch it. “I don’t think I did.”

“Do me a favor, scroll back in our messages and watch it for me before midnight.” She sips from her glass of champagne and smiles.

“What about watching with Easton?” I ask.

“Don’t worry about it. Just watch it now. I’ll see you in a few.” Then she gets up and leaves me staring at my phone.

I look around for Easton but don’t see him in the crowd of tuxes and gowns.

It only takes me a minute to scroll back and find the video, and when I press play, I choke on a cry.

Kenzie has the camera in selfie mode. “I hope you guys are still watching this when we’re all old and decrepit and going on seniors’ cruises together. I love you guys.” The camera flips and pans over to Easton, who’s waiting at the end of an aisle. Elvis stands on one side of him, and Pace stands on the other side. Then the camera moves to me, walking down the aisle on Maddox’s arm.

Oh my God.

She taped it.

The whole thing.

From our silly vows to the look on Easton’s face when Elvis said he could kiss his groovy chick.

“She finally showed you that, huh?” Madman moves behind me and watches over my shoulder. “You know, I’d have talked you out of doing it if I didn’t think it was what you really wanted to do. Or if he was a douche. We don’t deal with douches, right?”

I sniff. “Right. No douches,” I agree with Maddox.

“Come with me.” He holds his hand out for me. “Easton’s waiting for you on the roof for the ball-drop.”

“That’s half an hour away,” I argue. “And it’s cold.”

“They’ve got so many heat lamps up there, I’m surprised the fire inspector hasn’t shut this place down. Come on. We’ll take the elevator. I don’t want you falling on your ass on the stairs, trouble.”

I know it’s no use fighting with Maddox, so I place my hand in his, and we take the elevator up to the roof. When the doors open, Brandon is standing there, waiting for us. “Thanks, Maddox,” Brandon tells him, and Mad turns and kisses my temple, then walks away.

“Big guy?” I question as Brandon curls my arm around his.

“Do you have any idea how incredibly proud I am of the woman you’ve grown into, shortcake?”

“What’s going on?” I ask, and he smiles so big, I think it might split his face open.

My mother comes around the corner and hands me a bouquet of the palest pink roses I’ve ever seen. They match my dress perfectly. “Mom?”

“You wanted small. You wanted no fuss. We’re giving you both. Your family and closest friends are around the corner. No fuss. No muss. Everyone was going to be here for the gala anyway. We just hijacked the roof for a few minutes.”

“Mom . . . I don’t know what to say.” My voice shakes as I take the flowers and throw my arms around her.

“Don’t say anything, darling. Just be happy and let me watch you marry that man. Because, Madeline, no on in the world will ever love you the way Easton Hayes does. When you were hurt . . . My God, he loves you.”

She wipes my face, then takes gloss out of her purse and dabs it on my lips.

“I’ll see you after, sweetheart.”

Brandon watches Mom go, then walks us around the corner to where my family members all stand on either side of a black-velvet aisle. And there, at the end of the aisle, is my husband, standing next to my brother, Max, who’d gotten ordained to marry one of my siblings at some point. I laugh because I can’t even remember which one.

“You ready?” Brandon asks.

“If I could, I’d run to him right now,” I whisper back and lock my eyes on my husband.

Once I reach the end of the aisle, Brandon puts my hand in Easton’s, and I lean in and run my lips over E’s mouth. My family laughs, but I don’t care. “I love you, hockey boy.”

“Till we’re old and gray, princess.”

Twenty minutes later, my husband’s arms are wrapped around me as we watch the ball drop and yell along with the countdown.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

“Happy New Year,” I whisper as Easton cradles my face in his hands and presses his lips to mine.

“I told all of you they’d be kissing when the ball dropped at midnight,” Everly exclaims right before Maddox wraps an arm around her back and dips her dramatically, then plants a serious kiss on her lips.

My entire friend group stares as he stands her back up and wipes his mouth.

“Happy New Year, madman,” Evie kinda pants, and Maddox smirks.

“Not happening, demon spawn.” He turns to Gracie, and she shoves him back.

“Not a chance, madman.”

The fireworks explode overhead, and Easton nuzzles my ear. “How about we go home and have our own fireworks display?”

“Yes, please.” I rest my head on his chest and wrap my arms around his waist. “Can I tell you a secret, hockey boy?”

“Anything, princess.”

“You were my birthday wish.”