Faking It With The Hockey Star

Justin’s POV

The rest of the ceremony passed in a complete blur. I do not think I heard half of what was said after Mason’s name boomed through the speakers. I was still trying to process the absolute miracle of it all: my best friend and I, drafted by the same team, staying in the same city. We had spent years pouring our blood, sweat, and tears into this exact dream, and somehow, against every single odd, it had actually happened.

By the time the main event wrapped up, my cheeks were aching from smiling for interviews and endless photos. My grandparents hugged me at least five times, and Harper remained glued to my side through all of it. Every single time I looked over, she was beaming at me with so much warmth that it made a knot tighten in my throat.

Eventually, we managed to escape the flashbulbs. I assumed we were heading home to collapse, but the moment Harper slid into the passenger seat beside me, she gave me an unnaturally innocent smile.

"Where are we going?" I asked, putting the car in drive.

"You will see," she replied smoothly. "Just drive."

I chuckled, narrowing my eyes at her. "Harper."

"Just drive, Justin!"

She had been acting suspicious all day, but what I did not know was that she had orchestrated an entire operation behind my back. She had reserved a private room at a restaurant, coordinated with our families, and even alerted Mason’s parents. Rain or shine, drafted or not, she had decided we were going to celebrate tonight and she had sworn everyone to absolute secrecy.

When my phone buzzed on the console with a text from her siblings saying, We are almost there, I glanced over. "Who are you texting?"

"Nobody."

"That is a complete lie."

She laughed softly, adjusting her seatbelt. "Just keep driving."

When we finally pulled up to the venue, I expected a quiet dinner with four or five people. But when I pushed open the doors to the private dining space, the entire room exploded into deafening cheers.

"What the hell?" I gasped, freezing in the doorway.

Everyone was there: my grandparents, my father, Harper’s siblings, Mason’s entire family, and our closest friends. Mason stood right beside me with his jaw hanging open. "Bro."

I turned to Harper, who was grinning like a cat. "You did this?"

She shrugged, her eyes sparkling. "Maybe."

I pulled her into a tight hug, burying my face in her hair. "You are completely insane."

"I know."

The entire night felt surreal. Food covered the long tables, music echoed in the background, and Mason and I were pulled into an endless rotation of hugs and toasts. Our parents shared stories of us as kids, Mason’s mother cried, Grandma wept openly, and Grandpa furiously wiped at his eyes while pretending it was just the lighting.

Then, Harper stood up.

A quiet fell over the room as all eyes turned to her. I could see the subtle tremble in her fingers, so I reached across the white tablecloth and took her hand. "You do not have to do a speech if you are nervous," I whispered gently.

She shook her head, holding my gaze. "I want to."

She turned toward the crowd, letting out a soft, nervous breath. "The day I met Justin... I honestly did not think we would end up here."

Light laughter rippled through the room.

"Actually," she added, her lips curving into a wry smile, "I am pretty sure I thought it was going to be a complete disaster."

I raised my eyebrows in mock offense. "Wow."

She pointed a finger at me playfully. "Do not interrupt me."

More laughter broke out, but as she continued, the atmosphere in the room slowly shifted into something deeply intimate.

"When I first met him, I knew his reputation," she said softly, her voice carrying a delicate weight. "I knew what people said about him, and I did not think whatever was happening between us would last. But Justin kept proving me wrong. Every single day."

My smile softened as I listened to her, my thumb rubbing the back of her hand.

"I have watched him grow so much," her voice trembled slightly, her eyes locking onto mine. "I have watched him become patient, mature, and deeply caring toward people even when no one is watching. And I have watched him love me."

My chest tightened, a heavy knot forming in my throat.

"Justin has loved me in ways I never knew I needed," she whispered, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "He was there when I was terrified, when I was stressed out of my mind, and when I wanted to give up on my documentary because I did not believe in myself. He sat beside me and reminded me who I was until I finally believed him. Even when he was carrying his own heavy burdens, he always found a way to show up for me. And I do not think I have ever properly told him how much that saved me."

A burn gathered behind my eyes. I blinked rapidly, trying to keep it together, but a single tear slipped down my cheek.

Harper noticed, her own lips trembling into a soft smile. "You changed my life, Justin. Completely. A few months ago, I had no idea where I was going or what I wanted. Then you came into my world, and somehow, you made everything brighter."

She squeezed my fingers tightly. "Every day, I pray that this love never ends."

That broke me. I looked down at the table, wiping my face with my sleeve. I could not remember the last time I had cried in front of a crowd, but in that moment, I did not care at all.

"I love you so much, Justin," her voice cracked as tears finally spilled down her cheeks. "You have been my rock. You supported me, believed in me, and helped me become a better version of myself. I am so honored to stand here today and watch you reach the dream you worked so hard for. You deserve this. I am so, so proud of you. Congratulations, my love."

Silence hung over the room, thick with emotion. I stared up at her, my heart overflowing. This woman had walked into my chaotic life and quietly become the anchor I could never live without. She had seen me at my lowest, loved me through my flaws, and believed in my future when I doubted it myself.

I cleared my throat, though my voice still came out thick and raspy. "I love you too."

A soft, collective chuckle broke through the room, and Harper laughed tearfully. I stood up, stepping around the table to pull her into my arms. She wrapped her arms around my neck, resting her face against my shoulder as I held her tight against my chest.

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