DAKOTA

1 YEAR AND 5 MONTHS LATER

"Gemma!" I run around the back of the kitchen, trying to compose myself. "Where are the muffins?"

Slinging an arm around mine, my favorite employee stops me. "Kota, they're already out, remember? You put them out first."

My brain clicks and I let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, you're right."

Three months ago, Marie decided that she wanted to take a step back from Sweet Exchange, and began to prepare me to fully take over. Because I had already formed relationships with all of the other employees, they agreed to remain here after the switch took place.

By 'all of the other employees,' I mean Gemma and Dereck. Gemma graduated high school this year, and will be going to a local online college to earn a marketing degree, which will also earn her a promotion to my baking assistant and social media director.

Dereck is a forty-five year old man whose rich parents died young, leaving him with a shitload of money from a young age. He met Marie twenty years ago, and from his knowledge of money management, became her financial advisor. After a few years of working for her, he also went and got his degree, making him official. I'm super fortunate, because he refused to get paid more than the bare-minimum, because he says he just wants to help other people the way he was helped.

I also had a generous savings account to make some upgrades in the shop, thanks to Dereck helping me invest some of it. Not to mention the fact that I barely spend time outside of this building, except when I go home. A lot has changed since I moved here.

The past four weeks have been spent re-painting, getting new furniture, and overall giving the small space a facelift. I made sure that Sweet Exchange did not lose its original charm that Marie created, but I also wanted the bakery to feel new and fresh.

Connor, Brooks, and Ellie have all visited at some point, but none of them have seen a single corner of the improved space. Until today, at least.

Today is my grand opening, and I feel like I'm going to puke at any second.

Gemma and I have spent the past forty-eight hours prepping as much food as humanly possible, because not only are we expecting our regulars, but all of our families, friends, and I know a certain two friends of mine will be bringing a large number of their teammates.

"Kota, breathe." Gemma brings me out front, the long line outside visible through the ceiling-to-floor windows. "You've got all of three minutes to compose yourself and slap a smile on your face."

I turn around and wrap the petite girl up in my arms. When I first met her two years ago, she had just turned sixteen and has grown up a whole lot since that day. She quickly became my little sister, and I knew I would fiercely protect this girl from everything bad for the rest of my life.

"Okay, I'm ready." I smile brightly at her as I let go and walk towards the door. "Let's do the damn thing."

~

I've been running around like a maniac for the past three hours.

Most of our early customers consisted of regulars, who were only able to linger around for a few minutes before heading off to work, but not without buying goodies for all of their coworkers first.

By the time my friends and family arrived, things had finally calmed down enough for me to head over and hang out with them for a few minutes.

"Come here, sweet cheeks," Brooks hollers, wrapping me up in a bear hug. "This is fucking incredible!"

I hold him just as tight. "Thank you, I'm super happy with how it all turned out. And thank you for being here, I know you have a busy schedule."

Even though I could have opened a few weeks prior, I held things off until July so that he and Connor would be on their off-season.

Speaking of, Connor gives me a side-hug so that he can continue shoveling food down. "The place looks great, Kota. I'm so happy for you."

I move to Ellie next, followed by my parents and Connor's.

"While you all are here I have some new stuff for you to try before I put it on the floor." I turn back towards the back room, but Connor stops me with one hand on my bicep and the other holding a bouquet.

When I furrow my brows, he smirks. "Not from me."

Realization hits me like a truck, and I snatch them from his hands, practically running out of sight.

Making sure Gemma is still out front, I open the small envelope placed inside.

I hold the slip of paper close to my chest, blinking back the moisture that is building at the back of my eyes. My fingers find the ring attached to a thin chain around my neck -thanks to food safety requirements- and I can't help but smile.

Even though we haven't seen each other in well over a year, he remains on my mind every moment of each day. We texted a lot at first, but I had to put some distance between us after a few months when it became too hard, only texting him on birthdays and holidays. I don't know if I'll ever be able to move on, always holding out a sliver of hope. It also hasn't helped my heart that I continue to watch almost every single one of his games and interviews.

"Kota! Get out here," Gemma pops her head through the door.

I tuck the note in my apron pocket and head out, nearly dropping the plate in my hands when I see Aaron and Harper Cadell standing in my bakery with Gabby at their side.

"Hi," I breathe out, slipping around the counter and into Harper's open arms.

She squeezes me, and I can feel her smile against my cheek as she rocks us back and forth. "Hello, sweet girl."

Two small arms wrap around my waist from behind. "Kota! I came!"

Reluctantly letting go of Harper, I spin and lift up Gabby, swinging her legs as I hug her. "You did! Do you remember what I promised you?"

"Lots of dessert!" She wiggles from my arms and runs to the glass display case, ogling over all her options.

Turning towards Aaron, I hug him briefly. "I can't believe you guys are here."

Placing a hand on my shoulder, he softly smiles. "It does not matter to me what has happened in the past two years. We told you we'd be here when you finally achieved this."

"How did you even find out about it all?"

"Now, that's a silly question, don't you think?" He smirks.

Unable to hold back a smile, I head back around the counter to load them up with as much as they can handle, then bring them over to the group of curious eyes watching from the corner. I never imagined Parker and I's parents meeting like this, but it's crazy how much time changes things.

~

After a long group hug with Dereck and Gemma, I sent the two on their way, since they had both worked well over their scheduled hours today. My family and friends left earlier, too, but I'm meeting up with them for breakfast tomorrow.

I'm stuck in my thoughts when I hear the small counter bell ring, making me jump. Pulling off my apron, I head towards the front, knowing who probably could not resist coming back.

"Gemma, go home! I'm fine by my-"

My feet feel stuck to the tile floors, and my breath gets caught in my throat at the sight of the man standing in front of me.

"Sorry I'm late," Parker smiles. "My flight got delayed."

My mouth remains closed. I'm physically unable to open it.

Parker chuckles at me. "This place looks great, though. It looks way different than the last time I was on here."

"Thanks," I choke out.

He looks different than the last time I saw him in person. Well, the last time we spoke in person.

I may or may not have sneakily watched a few in person games of his from the last row.

The Parker standing in front of me looks older and more filled out, not that he was not muscular before. By the looks of it, he has also added to the sleeve of tattoos on his arm, but I'm too far away to see exactly what they are.

"I know that I'm probably too late to buy anything, but I actually have something for you." He places a brown paper bag in front of me.

I gently push it back. "You already got me flowers."

"And?" He smirks. "Open it."

Carefully reaching inside, I pull out a yellow mound of fabric. Glancing up, I can tell he looks nervous about whatever is in my hands, but is trying to hide it as best as possible. Unfolding it, my eyes bug out of my head when I realize it's my Nashville Predators jersey he gave me years ago. Not only that, but I flip it around to find Cadell along with his usual number on the back.

"Parker," I whisper.

He pushes the jersey down, connecting his green eyes with mine. "Thought this would be better than a text."

"How-"

"My flight was actually delayed, I was supposed to be here earlier with my parents and Gabs, but I had to run to the arena first." He steps closer, the only thing now separating us is the counter. "I signed a five-year contract, Kota. I'm moving to Nashville."

When I don't respond, he moves back and heads towards the door. "I'm not going to pretend that I didn't fight for this so that we could have a second chance. I have no fucking clue if you've even moved on or not, but I'll never regret doing this."

I go to respond, but he stops me, one hand on the door handle. "You don't need to say anything today, tomorrow, or even next month. I'll respect anything you say, even if it's that you want to just be friends. Goodnight, Kota."

With that, he steps outside.

My mouth feels dry, and I can't stop staring at the jersey in my hands. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that this would happen. Not like this, at least.

I imagined that I'd read about his move on twitter or instagram, and I'd then call Connor crying and ask him what I should do. Obviously, he'd encourage me to run straight into Parker's arms, which is exactly what I want to do now.

So I run.

Flying around the counter, I rush out the front door and my eyes comb Broadway Street for his large frame. When I catch him turning the corner and away from my building, I move.

"Parker," I scream, earning myself weird looks from passing tourists.

I see his steps falter, almost not believing his ears.

Finally catching up, I call his name much quieter, causing him to spin around.

"I'm not seeing anyone," I blurt. "I mean- I haven't moved on."

Now he looks like the speechless one. "Me either."

"Also," I take a heavy breath. "I know we probably have a lot to talk about, with you moving to my city and all that."

We both smile at that statement.

"But I haven't kissed you in over two years, and if it's okay with you, I'd really like to fix that now."

He doesn't miss a beat, closing the large gap between us and placing both of his hands on the sides of my face. "God, I love you."

We meet in the middle, our lips crashing together in a mix of relief, lust, and need. My hands grip the front of his shirt tight, twisting the fabric as I desperately try to pull him closer.

Our tongues tangle, and both of us groan softly, missing this feeling of being together. The only reason we pull away is the bachelor party that passes by, whistling and cheering. Our foreheads remain together as we both laugh, not letting go.

"You still have it," he plays with the ring at the end of my necklace.

Playfully tugging his shirt, we make eye contact once more. "I never wanted to take it off."

"Good. It belongs with you."

My boy, the sweet talker.

"I should probably go lock up," I whisper.

Parker pecks my lips one last time, pulling one of my hands off of him so he can intertwine our fingers. "You never did give me a tour, and Connor refused to give me a Facetime one."

Next thing I know, I'm being pulled back towards Sweet Exchange, unable to wipe the smile off of my face.

Suddenly, Nashville finally feels like home.

______

AHH! I literally finished this chapter five minutes ago, but I had to get it up asap!

This will be the final chapter of 'Get Pucked,' but don't worry, an epilogue is coming ;)

I have an idea for another book (it would also be a stand alone), but it will probably be many months before it is uploaded here as I'd want to write 75% of the story before letting it out into the world!

If you've made it this far, I truly can't thank you enough for reading all of my updates over the past few months

-Court