And then Luna skates toward the stands, cradling the trophy in her arms while Maisie and Beth skate beside her.
She finds me instantly. We lock eyes. And then she lifts the trophy overhead and points it right at me.
My vision blurs. I don’t know if it’s tears or pride or both, but I don’t try to blink them away.
I’m impatiently waiting outside the locker room when Maisie pokes her head out.
I don’t even care that I probably shouldn’t be back here yet. One of the assistant coaches gives me a thumbs-up as I slip past the crowd of hangers-on waiting to cheer on their favorite team.
Maisie rushes out, spots me and rushes back through the door. And then, she’s there. Luna pushes through the door, lighting up with a gorgeous smile when she sees me.
She’s got on a loose purple Lightning tee, hair damp and curling at the edges, her jersey slung over one shoulder and a bottle of water in hand. She looks like a warrior. A goddess. A champion. Which she is.
“I’m still wet from my shower,” she says as I pull her into my arms.
“I have zero complaints,” I whisper into her neck.
She wraps both arms around my back and buries her face in my chest. “We did it.”
“You were incredible. Fully dominated them,” I say, pulling back to look at her. “That goal? The way you read that rebound…”
She cuts me off with a kiss, laughing into it. “You’re such a hockey nerd.”
“Says the girl whose favorite pastime is tracking stats.”
She grins wider. And then, her expression shifts. She’s still bubbling over with excitement, still glowing, but there’ssomething else. There’s a nervous energy flickering just under the surface.
“I need to tell you something,” she says, stepping back, hooking her finger into the waistband of her joggers and rocking on her heels.
“Okay,” I say, on alert. “Is it good?”
She bites her lip. Then nods.
“I got an offer,” she says. “From the team that hosted me for the camp last summer. They’re expanding their analytics department, and they want me to come on board. Full time.”
My jaw drops. “You what?”
She nods again, faster this time, then nibbles on her lower lip. “New York. I know it’s a lot. A big move, but I’ve always dreamed of living there. And I’d officially be in the game. On the stats side.”
I blink. Then blink again.
“You’re… you’re gonna be a professional analyst?”
She presses her hands to her face, laughing. “I think so. It’s an entry-level position. The pay is decent, but it’s my in.”
I wrap my arms around her and lift her straight off the floor. She shrieks and clutches my shoulders, laughing so hard her body shakes in my arms.
“You did it,” I say into her temple. “Holy hell, Luna. You actually did it.”
“I did. I fucking rocked that thing, and the best part is, I can keep up with my influencing. Maybe shift the focus to analyzing pro games. Especially with the new women’s hockey league starting up. I can inspire so many more girls. But I’m going to adjust my image. Just be myself. The crazy cat lady who loves everything about hockey. Let it all hang out, you know?”
I set her down, pressing my forehead to hers. “You are incredible.”
“Miss Wilder?” A smooth but unfamiliar female voice interrupts our moment.
The smile slips from her face, lips pursing in annoyance. “Yes.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to come down here to personally congratulate you and the team. Plus, Miss Leighton said you wanted to arrange a meeting.”
