“Stop lying to me, Whistler. You always hated me. You made sure all of them knew how much you wanted Gavin to leave me, how happy you were when I left him. He was mine first. He should be with me,” she screamed at the top of her lungs.
Jess’s eyes were locked on mine as she continued to silently plead with me to take the shot.
One.
Two.
Three.
I exhaled and then did as Jess asked, pulling the trigger. I should have missed. I was way too damn nervous, but by some miracle, I got Marsheila right in the forehead. Blood and brain matter peppered the side of Jess’s face as she screamed.
I ran to her, scooping her into my arms as our captain and Tomlinson rushed up the front lawn with a few other officers in tow. Captain MacDonnell called for a bus as I sank to the ground, rocking Jess in my arms.
Chapter 17
McBee
When I asked Sean to take the shot, I truly had no idea what I was in for. The sheer terror of that experience was something I would never forget. It was a Christmas for the record books, if nothing else.
After I took a shower, we all sat in Brayden and Karla’s living room with Captain MacDonnell. He got our statements as the coroner picked up Marsheila’s body.
“Are you okay, McBee?” my captain asked as I stared down into the cup of tea I was clutching in my hands.
“Yes, sir. I’m just glad the situation didn’t escalate further and no one else had to be hurt.” It was the right answer, and mostly it was how I felt. I had just never had a gun held to me like that or seen someone die like that before. Even though we were trained for those situations at the academy, nothing compared to actually going through it.
“Sir.” Sean sat up a little straighter, putting his hand on mine. “There’s something else you need to know.”
“What is it, Whistler?” Captain MacDonnell started to gather the reports and notes he had sprawled out on the coffee table.
“Jessica and I are together,” he blurted out.
My heart started racing as I thought of all the things I was going to yell at him for outing us without even asking me about it or talking to me about it first.
“It’s about damn time. We’ve had a wager going down at the station for a few months, predicting when you two would finally admit to your feelings for each other. I thought it would happen months ago.”
“So, does that mean we can remain partners?” I asked, naively wishing for a Christmas miracle.
He shook his head. “We’ll discuss all that after the new year. Take this time off and get some rest, all of you.” He glanced around the room. “You’ve all just gone through a lot. Lean on each other and remember that there is nothing more important in this world than the people you love.”
After the captain left, we sat in silence for what felt like forever, until Myla finally broke the stillness.
“I just wish we could know why she did it, ya know?” She sipped her hot cocoa, sitting in Gavin’s lap.
He kissed her shoulder. “I guess there are just some questions in life we aren’t supposed to have answered, baby.”
“Let’s promise to never talk about this night ever again.” Myla looked around the room as we all nodded in agreement.
“This is a night I sure as shit would love to never bring up again.” I pulled a blanket over my lap as Sean tucked me into his side.
“Amen to that, sweetheart.” He kissed my cheek before brushing some of my damp hair behind my ear. “I’m just glad no one got hurt.”
“Tell that to the dead chick outside.” Griffin sat up a little straighter in his chair as he ran a hand over his face. “I knew your ex was crazy, bro, but damn.”
Gavin shrugged. “I don’t think anyone could have seen something like this coming, especially at this time of year.”
“Well, let’s not let this holiday go completely to shit.” Karla came in with a tray full of the pies and ice cream, all dished out on plates. Brayden and Crosby helped her pass them around before she took her seat next to me on the couch. “You’re one tough broad, McBee.” She gave me a little wink as she held up her mug of coffee and said, “To McBee and Whistler, two of New York’s finest in blue!”
Epilogue
McBee
A few years later
“Isn’t it so magical?” I nuzzled more into Sean’s side as he held me close.
“New York City at the beginning of the holiday season is pretty special.”
Standing in Rockefeller Center watching the tree being lit for the first time each year was one of my favorite traditions that Sean and I shared. The chilly air, the families gathered together, the lights, the smells, the sounds—it all added up to holiday bliss.
“Let’s get married,” I blurted out as the tree ignited into its splendid Christmas glory.
Sean grabbed my shoulders, whipping me around to look him in the eyes. “No.”
“What?” I pulled away from him.
He chuckled as I started to throw a mini fit. “No, I will not marry you.”
“Why?” I stomped my foot, about to freak out on him.
“Because you’re drunk on the season, swept away by the moment. I am not going to get all the way down to the courthouse for you to freak out and realize it’s not what you really want.” He stood there, waiting for me to reply.
“I am not just drunk on the magic and shit.” I crossed my arms and puffed out my lower lip.
“I do not need to marry you for you to be mine forever. That deal was sealed when you crawled into the back of our cop car. I do not need to marry you to love you, to grow old with you, to fight with you in the middle of Rockefeller Center with hundreds of people around. I am not marrying you until you know, and I mean know that you will only be happy with my last name and a piece of paper binding us together.” He dropped to one knee, pulling a small black velvet box out of his pocket.
“Sean?” I put my hands on his wide shoulders as he looked up at me.
“I want to be with you, from now until always. I want everything and anything with only you. I am devoted to you unconditionally. So, I figured we might as well make it mildly official.”
I tried to pull him to his feet, but he stayed kneeling. Glancing around, I saw people were starting to stare as Sean opened the box to a gorgeous white gold necklace with a diamond heart.
“I didn’t know what symbol to go with, so Myla helped me pick this out.” He slid the chain around my neck, helping me put it on as I started to cry.
“I love you, Sean.” I put my hand over the small heart as he continued to look up at me.
“I am not asking you to marry me. I am not putting a ring on your finger. I do not need any of that, but I do need you to know how serious I am, how devoted I am to this, to us. I love you, Jessica McBee.”
He clambered to his feet, scooping me up into his arms. He twirled me around as the gaggle of people around us clapped and cheered. They probably all thought we’d just gotten engaged, but to me the moment was even better than an engagement. It was my happily ever after; it was what I truly wanted. Maybe down the road my mind would change and Sean would actually put a ring on my finger, who knew? Right then, all that mattered was that we promised to be together. That was enough, because at the end of the day, a promise is a promise forever.
Bonus Chapter: Off Duty
The years had gone by faster than I had expected them to. We all got wifed up, most of them had had babies and here we were gathering in Gavin and Myla’s penthouse for our annual New Year’s Eve bash. Some things just never changed, they still threw the best shindigs and Myla still loved to run around with a bottle of Moet clutched in her hand.
Jess was off gossiping with Karla, Liv, and Myla at the bar where Jordan was shaking Gavin another Manhattan. I loved watching the girls laugh and carry on about the new players’ girlfriends and how long they thought each one would last for.
I leaded back in my chair as I watched Chase and Nikki sneak in late with their th
ree rugrats rushing in behind them.
Griffin and Crosby were lighting up the cigars that Brayden had brought from his last fishing trip down to Cuba with Karla. It had always been on her bucket list, and they finally found time to make it happen.
It was amazing to me that this huge group had become such an amazing family. From lifelong friends, to serendipity to fluke accidents – each one of us had found our way to our perfect version of home.
Gavin grabbed Myla, pulling her into the middle of the room.
“Shut up, guys! I have to tell you all something,” Gavin yelled with his hands cupped around his mouth.
We all quieted down as Myla bounced on her heels.
Gavin continued, “This is going to be my last season on The Otters.”
Gavin and Myla waited but the gasps and awes that they were waiting for never came.
“We all knew it was coming,” Griffin finally responded, “After Crosby left, we all knew it was a matter of time.”
“Brayden’s next!” Gavin teased as his brother-in-law threw his hands in the hair.
“Don’t go pointing fingers this way, Hayes. I still have a few years left in me.”
Karla laughed, “Keep dreaming, Cox.”
Myla hooked her arm around Karla’s neck. “I have to say I am on her side with this one, bro. Retiring is the cool thing to do.”
“Yeah, yeah. We’ll see.”
“Fuck it all to hell. I’m going to be all alone soon, aren’t I?” Chase complained as he opened another beer.
“You ain’t retiring yet, Harding. We have too many mouths to feed and ballerinas don’t make jack.” Nikki teased.
I cleared my throat as I walked into the middle of the room. “Let’s turn this into a more positive note. I have a toast and a surprise for everyone.”
I held out my hand to Jess as she blushed and came to my side. “Are we really doing this now?” she asked under her breath.
I tucked her into my side, whispering, “It’s now or never, babe.”
“All right.” She kissed my cheek quickly before I raised my beer bottle into the air.
“When I look around this room, I see the biggest batch of misfits in the entire world and the best family that anyone could ever ask for. So on the last night of the year, I want to toast to family and it not having to be blood. I love you all so much and I am thankful for each and every one of you. Also, our not-so-little family will be growing by one more.”
Jess looked up at me as I nodded for her to take it from there. In her sweet voice she continued, “Some of you know that Sean and I have been wanting to start a family and adoption is pretty much our only option. We’re leaving tomorrow to go pick up our child from California. He’s a five-year-old boy and his name is Ethan.”
Everyone started yelling and clapping.
“Congrats, guys!” Jordan yelled as she pulled the string on a popper.
As the ball started dropping we gathered around to count down from ten. Surrounded by all of my loved ones, we cheered “Happy New Year!” and I kissed Jess as lovingly as I could.
Year had come and gone. People had too, but we were starting a new year and a new adventure and I just could not wait to see where it would lead.
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Note From the Author
Thank you for reading The Shots On Goal Series Box Set. In doing so, you have helped fulfill a very important goal of mine. From every purchase of any of my books, I donate to the Marcie Mazzola Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to "help better the lives of abused and at-risk children, and to build community awareness regarding the needs of children."
The Marcie Mazzola Foundation was established in 2003 by my family. On July 6, 2002, Marcie died tragically in an automobile accident. Although she was only 21 at the time of her death, Marcie had experienced many things and touched many lives. She was a beautiful young woman whose inner beauty surpassed even her physical beauty because of her compassionate nature and treatment of others.
At the time of her death, Marcie was involved in a civil lawsuit against a school bus driver who had sexually abused her when she was 11 years old. Prior to her death, it had been expected that the case would be won, but since Marcie could no longer testify, it was going to be next to impossible to win. Marcie’s attorney met with her family to determine if the suit should be continued. He advised the family that Marcie had confided in him her intention to donate her entire award to help sexually and physically abused children if she won the case. Once this was known, the family had no doubt that the suit had to continue.
The attorney’s strong commitment to Marcie prompted him to proceed with the case, and against all odds, it was won. Marcie’s estate was awarded a monetary settlement. With her attorney’s guidance and continued support, the family established a foundation as a tribute to Marcie’s life, which would continue her legacy to help children.
To learn more about The Marcie Mazzola Foundation, please visit: http://www.marciemazzolafoundation.org
Marcie Mazzola Foundation
158 Burr Road, Commack, NY 11725
phone: 631-858-1855 • fax: 631-462-8544 email: [email protected]
About the Author
Bestselling author, Kristen Hope Mazzola, is a Florida native that has found herself loving a North Carolina life. She writes contemporary romance ranging from steamy romantic comedy, angsty new adult, all the way to sports romance – with dirty bikers, hot military men, and swoon-worthy rockstars in between. A portion of her royalties goes to the Marcie Mazzola Foundation.
Stay Connected
www.KristenHopeMazzola.com
[email protected]
All books by Kristen Hope Mazzola
The Crashing Series:
Crashing: The Wedding: Cali’s Story (Crashing #0.5)
Crashing Back Down (Crashing #1)
Falling Back Together (Crashing #2)
The Unacceptables MC Standalone Series:
Unacceptable
Unspeakable
Unbreakable
Untouchable
Unbearable
Undeniable
The Hysterics Standalone Series:
The Hysterics
Colt & Serena: A Hysterics Short Story
Shots On Goal Standalone Series:
Hat Trick
Cross Checked
Cherry Picked
Low Blow
Playoff Beard
Off Duty
Standalones:
Stupid Hearts
Rough & Tumble
Boxsets:
The Crashing Series
Lust & Love
The Shots on Goal Series Box Set
The Huntress Series (co-written with Dawn Robertson):
The Huntress (Book 1)
The Hopeless (Book 2)
The Nameless (Book 3)
The 69 Series:
(multi-author collaborations for charity)
Hook & Ladder 69
Bleed Blue 69
Archive.
The Shots On Goal Series Box Set Page 46
