“Anything else on your mind?” She rests her hand on my shoulder and squeezes once. “You seem distracted.”
“I just…” I bite my bottom lip. “Promise not to judge me for what I’m about to say?”
“Never.”
“Brody was supposed to be here tonight to watch me, but a conflict with his game means he’s still in Boston. And… I miss him. I didn’t realize howmuchI missed him until I checked my phone all afternoon, waiting for a text from him, only to not have one.” I grab my lipstick and open the tube. “He’s busy. Iknowhe’s busy. I just… I was hopeful, you know?”
“Oh, sweetie. It’s okay to be disappointed.” Tierney bends to give me a hug. “If he could text, I’m sure he would. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t support you.”
“You’re right. I’m the one going out there and performing. I’m the one who has spent hours rehearsing the choreography, but I don’t think any of this would be possible without him. He made skatingfunagain, and I wish he could see how excited I am.”
“I’ll make sure to record it so you can send it to him.” Tierney taps her phone to check the time. “You should get going. It’s almost your turn.”
“Shit. Let me grab my skates.” I pop to my feet and fix my pink skirt. “I’ll find you after.”
“You’re going to be incredible.” She pulls me into another tight embrace, and I savor the energy she’s sending my way. “You’re Hannah fucking Everett. You belong out there. Okay?”
“Okay.” I roll my shoulders back, more sure of myself. “Thanks, T.”
When I slip into the hall, I force myself to take a deep breath.
Inhale confidence, exhale fear, I repeat, shaking out my arms and starting for my skates. Ahead of me, a door flies openand hits the wall. I jerk my neck up, trying to see what the commotion is, and halt in my tracks.
Someone is walking toward me in a black sweater and dark joggers. White sneakers, backward hat on his head. Long strides that bring him closer and closer. I blink, positive this must be a dream, and then he’s there. Right in front of me, and the earth stops moving.
Brody.
“I thought I was late. I thought I missed it.” He scrubs a hand over his face, but I can’t answer. “But I made it.”
“What—” I glance around. The music from a competitor’s program echoes from the other side of the wall, and I blink. Stare up at him, mouth open. “You’re here? Aren’t you supposed to be in… New York? Philadelphia? Somewhere else? But you’re… you’re here?”
“Boston,” he says. “And I was. The good thing about earning the kind of money I do is I can spend that money however I want. And tonight, that meant arranging for a private plane, leaving halfway through the third period when we were winning 6-0, and taking the short flight so I could see you.” He takes my face in his hands, thumbs stroking over the curve of my cheek. “This is important to you, which means it’s important to me.”
“What about the team? Coaching? The game?”
“One of my assistants took over. He’s hoping to interview for a head coaching position next season, and the experience would be good for him. I said I wasn’t feeling well.” Brody’s mouth pulls up in a smile. He pretends to cough. “I’d hate to get anyone sick.”
“You did that for me? Hockey… that’s your life.”
“Maybe it’s time I rearrange a few things.” He digs in his pocket and pulls out a bracelet. “A new one from Liv. She’s out in the stands too—I swung by Kali’s and picked her up on the way—and wants me to let you know she’s proud of you. She says you’re the best coach she’s ever had.” He pauses, resting his foreheadagainst mine. “You’re the best skater I’ve ever had, and I’m so proud of you too.”
My eyes prick with tears. My nose stings. I’m dangerously close to splitting at the seams because Brody ishere. He’s here, and I’ve never been so happy.
I throw my arms around his neck. He laughs into my shoulder, palms on my waist and pulling me flush to his body.
“When you didn’t text me, I thought you were busy. Or you forgot.” I swallow the lump in my throat, emotion welling inside me. “It made me sad, and I don’t know why it made me sad.”
“I’d never forget today. I’ve had it in my phone calendar for weeks.” He’s careful as he strokes my hair, playing with the end of my ponytail with gentle brushes of his fingers. “I wanted to text you, but I also didn’t want to get your hopes up if I couldn’t pull this off. I’m so glad I did.”
“Thank you,” I whisper. “This means so much to me.”
“I’ll let you finish getting ready.” Brody drops a kiss to the top of my head and pulls away. “You’re going to kill it, sweetheart.”
“I can’t believe you’re here.” I wipe under my eyes, fanning my face so my tears don’t ruin my makeup. “All the way from Boston.”
With one more kiss to my cheek, we turn to go our separate ways. Before I can get too far, his pinky loops around mine. I look at him over my shoulder, and it hits me like a goddamn wrecking ball when I find his eyes sweeping down my outfit. When he smiles at me again, bright enough to light up a room.
Butterflies.
