She stares at me, tears in her eyes, the biggest, most beautiful smile on her face as she mouths, “I’m so proud of you.”
I’m so tempted to mouth back that I love her, but then I’m jostled by another teammate and another. I watch as an employee of the team approaches Indie, motioning to the tunnelwhere the family members will gather to walk out on the ice and celebrate with us.
She catches my eye one more time as she heads for the tunnel, and I line up with my team to shake hands with the Sharks. Then they’ll present us with the Cup.
It’s a surreal moment. It’s everything I ever wanted. And yet, I find myself looking forward to my girl running into my arms more than holding the trophy. Winning the Cup is the pinnacle of any hockey player’s career.
Winning Indie is the pinnacle of my life.
fifty-one
SEBASTIAN
The Cup is lighterthan I thought it would be.
“We fucking did it,” Griffin cheers as we lift the massive silver trophy over our heads. Every member of our team, the coaching staff, and a few other key members of our staff form the biggest group hug I’ve ever been a part of. It’s also the smelliest, sweatiest group hug, but that’s to be expected after a grueling hour of hockey.
“We did,” I say, the words thick in my throat.
“Proud of you all,” Maddox rasps. He’s clearly feeling as emotional as I am. Actually, when I look around at my teammates and Coach Fry, most of them have glassy eyes or tears rolling down their faces.
This is what every pro hockey player works toward. Why we put our bodies through hell, sacrifice our time, our holidays, all of it.
There’s a commotion as family members stream out onto the ice to join in the celebration. Only fitting, since they sacrifice as much as we do. And there she is. Beaming, beautiful, tears inher hazel eyes, Indie never looks away from me as she shuffles across the ice.
I can’t believe I get to share this moment with her.
Ten years. For ten years, I’ve imagined this moment, hoping for a miracle, but finally accepted that it wasn’t meant to be. Up until I saw her sitting in the stands all those months ago, the best I could have hoped for was that she’d be watching somewhere.
But she was watchinghere. Less than a hundred feet away from me.
“Oh my god, babe, I am so happy for you.”
I bend at the waist and wrap my arms around her, lifting her up and spinning us on the ice. Her bell-like giggle is the most beautiful sound, and it reverberates through me, filling every empty space, until I’m laughing with her.
“You’re so sweaty.” Her nose wrinkles, and I laugh harder. “I should have brought a change of clothes for when we go out because I’m going to smell like gross hockey player.”
“Sorry, Rosebud. I have Febreeze in my trunk.”
Her eyes glitter as we stare at each other, both of us here in the moment while also trying to reconcile the past ten years and what could have been. It feels impossible that I’m holding her right now. That the best moment of my career could be made so much better because she’s with me.
“Thanks for being here,” I whisper.
She smiles softly at me and brushes a damp strand of hair from my face. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“How’d you end up in those seats? I thought you were in the family box.”
“Megan and some of the girls asked a team employee to bribe some people near the net. Offered them seats in the family box, free food and drinks, and a signed jersey if they’d switch seats with me, Lola, and Megan.” She chuckles, and the sound vibratesthrough me, sending tingles through my body. “Megan thought seeing me might help you center yourself.”
Pressing my forehead to Indie’s, I breathe her in. “Remind me to pay for a spa day for Megan and Lola as thanks because she was right.”
“Quinny!” Griffin skates over, tugging his wife with him. When I put Indie down, he wraps her in a quick hug, then Mira does the same. “You okay? Heard you had to deal with your asshole ex before the game.”
“I’m good,” she says, smiling. “Especially after getting to see you guys win the Cup!”
“Hell fuckin’ yeah,” Griffin cheers. The guys around us pick it up, and soon there are hundreds of celebrating fans joining in.
It’s a surreal moment.
