“In your dreams, Everett,” he whispers back,
“Pretty sure you are my dreams, Saunders.”
“And what a lucky fucking guy am I.”
EPILOGUE
Brody
Eighteen months later
“Brody Saunders.”The reporter from NBC smiles at me. “Welcome to Italy for the Winter Olympic Games.”
“Hey, Rebecca. Good to see you,” I say into the microphone she holds my way. “It’s an honor to be here representing our country.”
“What kind of energy are you feeling as you head into the prelim round early next week? You’re coaching a very talented hockey team from the United States.”
“We’re feeling good,” I answer. “Our roster is full of guys who are excited to be here, and we’re anxious to see how we perform in our first game. A lot of our players participated in the 4 Nations Face Off a few years back, but for some of them, this is their first time competing at an international level of this caliber. They’re going to be shell-shocked in the best way.”
“The field is deep this year with several talented teams. Who do you see as your biggest competition?” she asks.
“Canada will always be a powerhouse in the sport, but luckily for us, they’re not in our group. Look. We could sit here and analyze statistics and numbers, but you never know what’s going to happen until the puck drops. The last time the US won a medal at the Games was back in 2010, and it was silver. You’d have to go back to 1980 for our most recent gold medal, and we all know that’s when everyone started believing in miracles.” I chuckle and put my hands in my coat, the cold air making my fingers numb. “We take it day by day. We’re soaking up the atmosphere, getting in some good training sessions, and we’ll be ready to get to work next week.”
“Let’s switch gears and talk about the women.”
“Oh, let’s. I could talk about women’s hockey all day.”
“You’re the first NHL coach to sign a woman to his team. DC is getting a PWHL team next year. Amelia Green is the first female head coach in the NHL, and three more women were hired as assistant coaches throughout the league during the offseason. This surge of attention on women’s sports is inspiring to see.”
“It’s about time professional sports league invested time and money into women’s sports, and it’s about time the world started paying attention. You can’t mention USA women’s hockey without shining a light on Emerson Hartwell. She’s been a dynamic force, and her comeback has been a joy to watch.” My lips twitch with a smile remembering Emmy’s joy when Maverick delivered her the Olympic jersey she’d be wearing. He and Murphy had on matching ones too. “As far as other players? Genevieve Grayson out of West Bridge University is going to take the PWHL by storm next season. A projected number one draft pick who transferred to a dying NCAA program and breathed life back into the school? She’d have a field day out there playing with my guys.”
“Last question before I let you go,” Rebecca says. “You’re in Italy. The weather is beautiful. What other events are you looking forward to spectating when you have some free time?”
“We had the chance to share the ice with the athletes on the speed skating team, and my guys are jazzed to go support them. They’re like bullets out there. As for me, my other half is performing in the medal round of the free skate today.” I check my watch. “In fact, I need to go. I don’t want to be late.”
“Thank you so much for your time, Brody. We appreciate you stopping by, and we’re cheering you and the team on.”
“Thanks for having me, Rebecca.”
We exchange a handshake, and I accept her warm wishes to pass along to Hannah. The walk to the skating arena is short, but I take it in a jog. It might be my nerves. It might be my excitement. It might be my fear of being late and missing a second of Hannah’s program, and I try to not panic when security gets backed up. Flashing my VIP badge helps, and by the time I find my seat, I let myself relax.
“Hey.” Grant sits next to me and leans forward in his chair, elbows on his knees. “I was worried about you.”
“Sorry. I was doing an interview with NBC.” I shrug off my coat, the arena warm and full of people. “That media training class I did with Piper makes talking to reporters much more tolerable.”
“Only took you, what? Seven years?” He snorts. “I saw Han and Tierney. They’re both doing well, and I gave my sister the gift you had for her.” His gaze cuts away from the ice and over to me. “Do I want to know what it was or will it make me throw up?”
“A ribbon.” I smirk. Gold, to match her outfit and the medal I hope she brings home today. “Is that a problem with you?”
“Not at all, and I’m going to pretend it has a singular function of only going in her hair.” Grant shivers. “Don’t ruin hair accessories for me, man.”
It’s been a learning curve for Grant and I on how to navigate our relationship on and off the ice. I never want anyone on the team to think he’s getting preferential treatment—he never will—but when we’re away from the rink, we’re good friends. Liv and I spent Christmas in Florida with him and Hannah, and he stops by my place to eat dinner with the two of us.
Every few months he gives me the same warning: break his sister’s heart, and he’ll break me.
It’s funny the guy who is eight inches shorter and thirty pounds lighter than me thinks he can kick my ass, but I have to admire his determination. I’m glad Hannah has so many people in her life who care about her.
“How is she feeling?” I ask, wiping my sweaty palms on my joggers. “She doing okay?”
