Jake stared at the photo, his eyes getting suspiciously shiny. "This is perfect. Thank you."
They spent Christmas Day with Uncle Walter, eating too much food and watching bad holiday movies. It was perfect and normal and exactly what both of them needed.
That night, back in Jake's apartment, Lucy said, "Six more weeks."
"I know."
"I'm excited. And terrified. And I'm going to miss you so much."
"Same. All of the above."
"Promise me something?"
"Anything."
"Promise me that no matter what happens—if long distance is too hard, if we grow apart, if life gets complicated—promise me we'll be honest with each other. No pretending everything's fine when it's not."
"I promise. And you promise me the same?"
"I promise."
They sealed it with a kiss, and Lucy tried not to think about how in six weeks, she wouldn't be able to do this—just reach over and kiss him whenever she wanted.
Six weeks. Then six months.
She could do this. They could do this.
Love was worth fighting for.
Even when it was hard.
Especially when it was hard.
New Year's Eve arrived with fresh snow and a party at Mac's Tavern that the entire Wolves team was attending.
Jake and Lucy arrived together, and Marcus immediately wolf-whistled.
"Look at you two, all coordinated and couple-y."
"We're not coordinated," Lucy protested, though she was wearing a dark blue dress that did match Jake's blue sweater remarkably well.
"You're absolutely coordinated. It's adorable."
The party was loud and crowded and full of people Jake had known his entire life. For the first time in years, Jake felt completely present. Not waiting for something better. Not wishing he was somewhere else. Just here, with Lucy, with his team, living his life.
At 11:30, Tommy called for everyone's attention.
"I have an announcement. As you all know, I'm retiring at the end of this season. It's been an incredible run—thirty years coaching in this town. But it's time." Tommy turned to Jake. "Which is why I'm officially announcing that Jake Morrison will be taking over as head coach next season."
The room erupted in applause. Jake felt Lucy squeeze his hand.
"Speech!" someone yelled.
Jake reluctantly stood. "I don't have a speech prepared. But I'll say this—three years ago, I came back to Timber Falls because I thought I'd failed at hockey. Thought my career was over. Thought I was settling for less than what I was supposed to be."
He looked at Lucy. "I was wrong. I wasn't settling. I was finding my way to where I was supposed to be all along. To coaching. Tothis team. To this community. To—" He paused. "To the people who matter most."
More applause. Jake sat down quickly, his face hot.
