A new shot of adrenaline surged through me. We had less than a minute to get through and we’d have it.
The ensuing forty-two seconds of hockey were some of the toughest I’ve ever played, because Los Angeles wasn’t going down without a fight.
I was so wrapped up in it that I was surprised when the final buzzer sounded.
Gloves, helmets, and sticks flew. The volume in our arena was ear-splitting. And my thoughts had never been more clear.
I probably wouldn’t be here for my entire career. This would be as good a time as any to walk away, to make a fresh start. Our roster would be split every which way, with trades flying all overthe league to spread the talent of the champion team. But right here, right now, I couldn’t consciously choose to walk away from this.
I wanted to stay, and I wanted Emma to stay with me.
Exhausted. Exhilarated. Terrified and hopeful for what the future might hold. I was all of them.
But for the moment, it was time to celebrate.
I put on my championship hat and hugged every single person on our team and coaching staff.
I went through the handshake line, and by some miracle, I didn’t bite Miknevicius’s head off. We even exchanged a shoulder pat. Oberbeck and I stopped and talked at the end of the line.
“Hell of a season,” I told him.
“You too, man.”
“Same time, same place next year?” I asked.
He laughed. “Nah, we’ll beat you in four next year.” He pointed at me. “Unless I’ll see you sooner in my backyard?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. Tempting, but not just yet.”
He patted my shoulder. “I get it, man.”
I took my turn hoisting the Cup. We posed for the team picture.
And then it was time to see the people we loved most.
My parents, my sister, Emma, and Liam all appeared in the tunnel. Emma squeezed between a few people who were being more cautious on the ice. Emma ran on tiptoe and jumped at me. I was only able to hold her up for a second with all my gear on, but for that second, she kissed all over my face. When I put her on the ground, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a tiny paper crane. “I hope your wish came true.”
I suspended my lips over hers, tipping her chin up with my thumb. “I got my wish before the puck dropped.”
Emma’s smile widened, and her eyes filled with tears before flicking to my lips. We melted into a long, hot kiss that drew a whoop from my mom and a “Mom!” from Liam.
Joy surrounded us. Our fans stuck around to cheer us on and soak up the moment. Cap dropped to one knee in front of Violet, because of course he did. Liam announced he was going to be Owen’s roommate.
This was what it was like, when everything you ever wished for and the things you never dreamed you’d want all happen.
FORTY-THREE
EMMA
JULY
“Look who’s here!”
A massive hunk of silver appeared above my fence line until the gate kicked open, revealing Jack Leroy with the championship cup hoisted over his head. A man sporting white gloves trailed behind him, the official Cup keeper who stayed with it at all times.
“Hell yeah, finally my turn!” Harlan said, racing over to take it from Jack. It was customary for each team and staff member to get a day with the Cup, and Harlan made sure his turn coincided with Liam’s graduation party.
Not every high school graduate could say they had the most prestigious trophy in sports at their graduation party.
