Pride is bursting through my chest as I watch her celebrate. I will never diminish my own achievements, but watching her journey come to fruition feels just as, if not even more, sweet than the rest of them.
Confetti continues to rain down onto the rink as the entire team celebrates. I notice Lennon scanning the arena, like she can feel my presence and is seeking me out in the crowd, but I duck away. I want her to enjoy this moment with her teammates.
Once the arena clears out, I slip downstairs and out toward the back parking lot where I know the team bus will be waiting for them. Families, friends, and Haulton students who made the trip down linger around in small groups.
It’s stupid for me to be here, but I’ve done a lot of things I shouldn’t this past year. I stay toward the edge of the circles, keeping my hat tucked low. Seb texted me after, asking if theyshould stick around, but I told them I’d catch them later. This isn’t exactly the time to introduce them to Lennon.
Half an hour goes by when the first player swings open the door. Charlotte and Maria step out together and are immediately flooded by who I presume are their families.
The crowd grows more excited as more of the team appears. I scan over the top, watching, waiting, until finally I spot Lennon.
She steps outside, laughing alongside Grace, and they take in everyone around waiting to congratulate them. A few students come up to them and they hug, celebrating and cheering.
I smile as I watch her, and suddenly, her head perks up. She goes alert, and I don’t know what it is, but I just know in my gut she’s aware of my presence. Her head darts back and forth until she freezes as she spots me.
The moment she does, she bolts across the parking lot. She draws the attention of everyone around, and all plans of sneaking her off to the side to have a private moment go flying out the window.
It doesn’t matter. Not as her entire face is covered with that beautiful, winning smile, and her eyes are bright and alive with her victory. Her loose hair blows in the wind, bits of white and blue confetti stuck in it.
People part for her as she runs, and damn it all to hell. I hold my arms out for her as she catapults into them. Her arms and legs wrap around me like a koala, and I squeeze her to my chest.
Noises of surprise and murmured gasps sound off like popcorn around us, but we both ignore them, too caught up in each other, in the moment to care.
“You did it,” I whisper in her ear. “You fucking did it, baby.”
“We did it,” she says excited, practically vibrating in my hold.
“It was all you. I’m so proud of you.”
She pulls back, and her eyes bounce excitedly between mine. “You came today.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Besides, what’s one last rule to break?”
With that, I crush my lips to hers, unafraid to finally show whoever wants to see that she’s mine, and I’m hers.
Rules be damned.
EPILOGUE
Lennon
Three Months Later
“Are you ready for this?”
I look up at Luke. “I think I should be asking you that question.”
He fiddles with the cufflinks on his jacket as the elevator ascends at a dizzying speed. The walls are covered in mirrors so everywhere I look, all I see is Luke. He looks dreamy in his white button up, grey jacket, and black slacks. I reach up to smooth a rogue lock of hair behind his ear, and he smiles gratefully at the gesture.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” he says on a deep exhale. His jaw is tight, but something in his eyes softens as he looks at me. “You look beautiful.”
I soak in his compliment and push my shoulders back. “Thanks for the dress.”
When he invited me to join him for his former teammate’s engagement party, I immediately worried about what I wouldwear. I had borrowed my dress for the fundraiser earlier this year from Charlotte, and I hated to ask her again.
Plus, I didn’t exactly want to explain to her that it was for a party with Luke. After the Frozen Four and our kiss in the parking lot, the two of us were no longer a secret. And while some of my friends have been supportive, like Grace and Maria, others, like Aubrey and Charlotte, have regarded me with trepidation. I’m not sure if it’s because I lied by omission for so long, or because we broke the rules, or if it’s jealousy.
Doesn’t matter at this point.
