Never Say Never: An Enemies-to-Lovers Secret Identity New Adult Sports Romance (Western Wildcats Hockey Book 4)
Chapter 36

Other than Brit strumming her guitar as she sings the lyrics of her new song on stage, the bar is silent. I’d glance around, but I can’t take my eyes off my wife.

And I’m certainly not the only one.

Everyone is captivated by her acoustic performance.

It’s standing room only.

Gerry, the bouncer, had to turn people away at the door.

When fans replace out that she’s going to play a set, they descend on the joint. Sometimes coming from a hundred miles away. Everyone wants to catch a glimpse of Britt McNichols.

She no longer goes by Bebe Benson.

Now that she isn’t in hiding, she’s blossomed into a different person. I’ve loved watching her grow and figure out who she is deep down inside. The woman who has been fighting to come out. She’s discovering what she likes. And that includes her music.

The songs she’s been working on lately are more soulful in nature and less pop.

Like the one she sang to me on the plane.

Stella shakes her head. “I still can’t believe that our Britt is actually Bebe. Consider my mind officially blown.”

“I’m just glad she’s sticking around and not leaving us,” Carina adds.

“Me, too,” Fallyn says, mouthing the lyrics as Britt croons them on stage.

Wolf squeezes his new wife, burying his face in the strands of her dark hair. “You’re so adorable when you try to sing.”

Fallyn turns to him with a frown. “What do you mean try to?”

He pulls away with a grin. “Babe…”

Her dark brows rise. “Are you saying I’m not good?”

“How about you go back to singing and I’ll go back to cuddling you?”

A smile breaks out across her face before she leans forward and kisses him. “Sounds good to me.”

Bridger pulls off his ball cap before plowing a hand through his hair. “Well, it’s official. Another one bites the dust. I always figured it would be you and me at the end.” He nods toward Hayes. “Maybe that guy. Can’t see him getting tied down anytime soon.”

I rip my attention away from Britt long enough to glance at the golden blond center who’s grinning at Larsa Middleton as she trails her hands over his chest. Hayes has always made it perfectly clear that he doesn’t have time for a girlfriend. Not with all the family responsibility that rests on his shoulders.

“Sorry, bud. Looks like it’s just you, Hayes, and Mav now.” My gaze settles on Steele, who’s holding court at the end of the table. “And probably your cousin.”

“And you’re cool if he takes over your room for the rest of the semester?”

I shake my head before lifting the beer to my lips. “It’s all his. I won’t be moving back anytime soon.”

“Cool.”

Once the final chords reverberate throughout the bar, thunderous applause breaks out. People leap to their feet, whistling and shouting for an encore. Britt plays one more song before taking a small bow and stepping off the stage. She doesn’t get more than a couple of feet before her uncle envelopes her in a warm embrace and kisses her cheek.

Did he just so happen to pull me aside when he found out that I’d married his niece in Vegas?

You bet your damn ass he did.

After we had ourselves a little chat—his term, not mine—he clapped me on the back and told me with a cheery smile that if I caused Britt one moment of heartache, he’d have no problem making me disappear.

Permanently.

I reassured him that there was no way in hell that would happen. I loved her more than anything and my new mission in life was to make her happy. He seemed to accept that response, and we’ve been having Sunday dinners at his place ever since.

Here’s a little something that I refuse to admit to anyone else—my lasagna is better.

But you didn’t hear that from me.

My gaze remains fastened onto my wife as she moves through the crowd. People surround her, wanting to talk. She’s always gracious about accepting their accolades.

A smile curves her lips as our eyes lock from across the space that separates us. When I grow impatient and rise to my feet, ready to cut a path straight to her and steal her from her fans, she slips away and beelines toward me. The closer she gets, the more my heart picks up tempo.

That’s the way it is with this girl.

She’s changed everything.

I can barely remember what it was like before she came into my life.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

As soon as she’s close enough, I reach out and nab her fingers before drawing her into my arms. Exactly where she belongs. It’s only when she’s wrapped up tight that I’m able to breathe again.

“You were amazing up there.”

She presses her lips to mine. “Thank you. Did I mention that the song was for you?”

I can’t help but grin. “Pretty sure I thanked you last night.” There’s a pause. “Not to mention the night before that.”

Heat fills her golden eyes. “You certainly did.”

“Don’t worry, sweet girl,” I whisper. “I have no problem thanking you all night long.”

“Promise?”

“Always.”