I need to get out there.
Team USA moves to center ice so they can take their championship picture, all the while I’m bouncing on my toes, impatiently waiting for families to make their way onto the ice to celebrate.
We agreed to tell Connor what’s going on between us after the game today. We came to that decision after Charlie expressed how nervous she was for his reaction. I didn’t want anything distracting her during this game.
But now that I’m watching her live out her childhood dream, I don’t think I can hold it in anymore.
I turn to talk to Connor when an Olympic representative signals that it’s okay for families to join the players on the ice.
Connor is gone in the blink of an eye.
Damn, he’s fast.
I crawl underneath the railing and hop down onto ice level, doing my best to keep up with him. It’s absolute chaos out here but I’m able to remain a few paces behind him.
He finally finds Charlie, and I watch as he picks up his little sister and twirls her around.
Not wanting to interrupt this special moment, I hang back and watch two of my most favorite people share a once in a lifetime moment together.
Once he finally lets her down, Connor takes hold of her hands. I can’t make out what he’s saying, but if I had to guess, he’s letting Charlie know just how proud of her he is.
Charlie’s nodding along as he talks. Meanwhile, my bodyis nearly shaking with how badly it’s being pulled in her direction.
I’m wringing my hands in front of me, trying to do something with all this energy, when she finally looks over and spots me.
Charlie holds one finger up to her brother and starts skating my way.
She stops in front of me, and with her in skates, we’re standing eye to eye.
“Baby, I’m so pr?—”
It takes me a second to realize that my words were cut off by her lips.
Charlie’s hand is gripping the front of my jacket and she’s kissing me like nobody’s watching.
I’m well aware that’s not the case, knowing full well her brother is probably watching. But I just can’t find it in me to care.
I grip the back of her head and let her know just how proud of her I am with this kiss.
She finally pulls away, dropping her hands, but I keep mine where it is, tangled in the mess of her curls.
“Like I was saying—I’m so fucking proud of you, baby.”
There are tears in her eyes, dimples on her cheeks, and I move my gaze across her face, committing the way she looks to memory.
On bad days, I want to remember this—my girl’s dreams coming true and being here to witness it happen.
“Someone want to tell me what the hell is going on?”
Oh right, Connor.
We both turn, our hands instinctively finding each other’s, and we link our fingers together. We may not have planned for Connor to find out like this, but we’re in this together.
Luckily, when I see my best friend’s face, I don’t see anger. I just see confusion. I don’t want anything to ruin this moment for Charlie so I take the lead.
“We were going to tell you after the game.”
Connor’s eyes bounce between me and his sister. “Tell me what, exactly?”
