Bring It Home (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 3)

We both look at the Cup keeper, and he grins. “I’m not saying a word.”

Boon glances back at me. “We’ll tell her.”

“Okay,” I agree as we wait for the technician to move her little probe along my growing belly.

I never thought I would love growing a human in my belly as much as I do. It’s still crazy to look down and see the bump—but even just as a bump, I would die for it. It’s my bump, my little person. The last couple weeks have been absolutely insane. Our parade for the Cup win was bigger and much more massive than it was last year. I rode on a float and waved and cried with my city, celebrating our boys. It all seems like a dream, but it really happened. Though Wes isn’t letting anyone forget. He even got a shirt made that reads, “I scored the winning goal in the Stanley Cup Final.” I wish I were kidding, but I don’t really care because I am so proud of him.

I honestly thought Aiden would have taken the shot, but he told the press that his coach wanted Wes to do something, so he made sure he did something. I love how much the boys respect me. I love my job so damn much, and when the contract came in, signing me for another year, I cried. I feel so accomplished. I am so proud of myself. We haven’t figured things out for when the next season starts, but we have had a lot going on.

Shelli’s wedding is in a month, and today is the huge game between the winning Assassins team and the alumni players. It’s going to be a blast, and in all reality, I can worry about other stuff later. Right now, I am about to find out what I am having, and then I get to watch my husband try to score on my dad. Little does Boon know, my dad has been training for this. He refuses to have anyone question his greatness. It’s gonna be so awesome.

But it’s clear I don’t know what awesome truly is until the technician says, “Well, guys, you are having a little boy.”

My heart stops.

My soul sings.

And I swear, I’ve never been so happy in my life.

I look at Boon as his eyes cloud with tears. “A boy?”

I laugh around a happy sob. “A boy.”

“It’s a Boonsey.”

“Really?” I ask, and he laughs before he kisses me hard on the lips, and then we dissolve in laughter.

Because how could life get better?

When we pull into Luther Arena, Boon looks in the back seat to make sure the Cup is still strapped in. He tried to make me sit in the back, but before I could remind him that, if I did, I would not be sleeping in our bed, the Cup keeper said it would be better in the back with him. Thankfully, Boon listened.

Once we arrive at Luther, Boon gathers the Cup in his arms, and we head inside, where the arena is bustling with excitement. Everyone is here because, thankfully, pretty much everyone retired in Nashville. Why wouldn’t they? It’s the best city ever.

I see so many people from my life. Growing up, I didn’t know that I was preparing to be a coach, but as we pass alumni players, I’m reminded of their stats. It’s insane that I can still remember. Many of them, I still see a lot of, but when I see Alex Welch, my heart stops. Alex spots me, and his brows come in.

“Posey Adler?”

My heart soars that he remembers me. “Welch.”

We embrace as he laughs. “Lord, look at you. Pregnant? Is this the guy?”

I grin as I reach for Boon, bringing him to Welch. “Yes, this is my husband, Boon Hoenes.”

“Wow, I can’t believe someone infiltrated Shea Adler’s wall he put up to keep the guys out.”

Boon laughs, shaking Alex’s hand as he holds the Cup. “It wasn’t easy. I took a punch or two in the process.”

Alex laughs, his blazing blue eyes taking me back to my childhood. Man, even now, he’s dreamy! Surfer blond hair that he has cut short, and he’s built like an ox. He’s put on some weight, but I’m pretty sure he could take someone out. Just like my daddy can. “Wouldn’t expect anything less. Man, it’s good to see you, kid. You’re all over the press.”

I beam. “It’s been a whirlwind.”

“It’s awesome. I’ll see you at dinner? We need to catch up.”

“Absolutely. Are the kids and your wife here?”

“Not the girls, but Mary Ann is in the stands.”

I grin as he hugs me once more before heading back to the dressing room.

“He was your dad’s captain?”

I nod as I watch him head back. He’s aged so much, but that twinkle is still in those blue eyes. “Yeah, he would always break down plays for me. He was just awesome, and I cried when he moved to Canada. It’s so good to see him.”