“This is the coolest thing we’ve ever done,” Mila gushed. “First, we get to see Emmie win gold. Then in a few hours, we get to watch the guys play their final game for gold. I’ve never felt so patriotic in my life.”
I nodded in agreement. Here I thought The Legacy Championship was insane, but that had nothing on this. Being in a place filled with the world's best athletes was indescribable. I couldn’t lie, it made me feel I was a nobody compared to everyone here.
Coach Reggie appeared at the end of the aisle. “I didn’t miss her, did I?”
“Not yet, there are still two more skaters before her,” I said as he took his seat on my left. He let out a sigh of relief.
“We have your sign.” Mila leaned over, handing Coach a poster that saidEmmie is #1on it. He took it with a soft grin, one he only gave Emmie and the girls. I swear they had secret powers to get intimidating men to like them.
A voice came overhead, announcing the next skater, which ironically wasnotKeira. After the short program, Keira ended up in sixth place. During her long skate, she made quite a few mistakes and fell at one point, which dropped her even further.
If only Erin was here to cackle at that. Funny how karma worked like that on both sides. Keira not getting a single medal, and Duncan Jennings not being picked up by a team.
My mind wandered during the person's skate. I didn’tparticularly care about anyone other than Emmie. After today, she had to skate two more times for the team event, but that would be a walk in the park after this.
The crowd around us applauded as the skater finished. I clapped along as my nerves skyrocketed again. After this next skater, it was Emmie’s turn. Since she was currently in first, this skater would determine if Emmie got gold, silver, or bronze.
How the hell did she handle this when she watched me play? I felt like I was going to be sick at any moment. I couldn’t begin to imagine what she was feeling right now, waiting for her turn.
“You look worse than you did before your first championship game,” Coach said from beside me.
I glanced over, caught between a laugh and a groan. “Feels worse. I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous before my own game.”
Reggie nodded. “Welcome to my life for the last thirteen years.”
That pulled a small laugh out of me. If anyone got it, it was Reggie. Watching his daughter skate all these years couldn’t have been easy.
“You’re good for her,” he added, eyes on the ice, but he wasn’t really watching the skater. “She finally has someone who supports her no matter what.” He paused. “Someone who actually shows and means it.”
My chest tightened. “I’ll always show up for her.”
Reggie didn’t even hesitate. “I know.”
Neither of us said anything else. We didn’t need to. Coach was a man of few words, but those right there? That was enough for me.
The announcer’s voice rose again.
“And now…representing the United States—Emmie James.”
I shot to my feet, the others following suit. Josie, Tasha, and Mila waved their signs above their heads, screaming at the top of their lungs like this was a hockey or football game. Even Coach let out an ear-piercing whistle that caused heads to turn our way.
When Emmie glanced over at us, it felt like the ground fell out from under my feet. She was the most beautiful woman I ever laid eyes on.
Her black dress for her routine made her red hair pop, the loose ponytail a bit different then her usual tight bun. She flashed us all a smile, but her eyes never left mine. I put my hand to my chest, tapped my fist three times, and then pointed to her.
We came up with our own little sign to say I love you during games and her competitions. A thing that only the two of us knew and understood.
She brought her own fingers up, lightly tapping her chest three times, and flashed me a grin. Man, I loved her.
I sat back down in my seat, along with everyone else, as she glided across the rink. With her black dress and red hair, she stuck out against the pearly white ice, forcing everyone here to look at her.
She had this. The two months leading up to worlds really helped her. Marcy agreed to give her a month off to get her mental health on track. It also helped repair her relationship with her dad, as well as ours.
When worlds came, she performed the best she ever did. The moment she stepped on the ice, it was like she was finally skating for herself. Not for Marcy, not for her father’s approval. Hell, not even for me. Justher.
Because of that, she outscored everyone, securing her spot in the individual event as well as the team event at the Olympics. And now, she was here and ready to prove that she really was the best in the world.
As she got into position in the middle of the ice, I took a deep breath. Three minutes. That was all it took for her to achieve the one thing she always wanted. Gold.
