“You’re up, Big Mac.” His smile overtakes his face.
I don’t respond or react. Instead, I look down at Shay, wanting to gauge her feelings.
She’s beaming. “Go. I’ll be okay.”
Andy appears out of nowhere on her other side, looping his arm through hers, and I nod in thanks before glancing back at her.
“Are you sure?”
Planting her hand on my side, she shoves me away, and I glide forward.
“Go get your cup, MacArthur! That’s an order.”
“You heard your coach,” JD teases, handing it off to me.
The metal hits my bare hands, and I swear I might just cry.
The Stanley Cup is in my hands. It’s really happening.
Those who have made their way out onto the ice—the crowd, my teammates, and the organization—begin chanting my nickname, bringing tears to my eyes again. “Big Mac! Big Mac!”
Skating slowly around the perimeter of the ice, I force myself to look around at the stands still flooded with fans, at the Cup above my head that will soon hold my name forever, and at everyone gathered near me. Family. Friends. Loved ones.
An ache rips through my chest, taking me by surprise before I can even process the image of my dad and my mom in my mind. I wish they were here. More than anything, I’d love to share this with them. After all, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the sacrifices they’d made along the way. The endless practices, games, camps, and everything in between.
Mentally, I make a promise to myself and to my parents. I’ll bring the Cup to them when it’s my turn for a day with it. Of course, the Keeper of the Cup will have to tag along, as they have to be with it at all times. But it’s happening. I’m taking itto them, and even though my dad might not fully understand what’s happening, he might not remember who I am, and he might not recall my visit afterward, it’s a moment we’ll always have together.
I’ll remember for the both of us.
I skate back around and hand it off to the player who is quickly becoming one of my best friends, even though we’ve only known each other for a season—Luca Bradford. He’s the brother of Jensen’s fiancée, Lainey, one of our physical therapists.
At some point during that show, a hat has found my head, and I pull it off to find something I’ve waited my entire life to read—Stanley Cup Champions.
Putting it back on with ungodly pride, I spin it around because I know the next place I’m heading, and I don’t want anything getting in our way.
I skate back over to Shay, and she greets me with the biggest smile. My heart does a flip in my chest as she sticks her arms up. I snake my arms around her waist and pick her up off the ice, skating farther away from the huddle of people. She wraps her legs around my waist, not caring in the slightest about the cameras and phones recording, just living in the moment. When I tighten my hold around her, she giggles into my ear before sitting back up and looking down into my eyes.
Her red hair cascades around her face, and with the lights shining up above, she’s glowing.
“God, I love you,” I tell her again, and the biggest smile takes over her face.
She bites down on her smile before parting her pretty lips. “I love you too. So goddamn much, Matt.”
“Come here and kiss me,” I murmur between us, and she happily obliges my request, slowly, tenderly rolling her lips against mine. “You and I until the end, remember?”
“I’ll never forget it.” She exhales her confession before sealing the promise with a kiss.
I’m not sure how long we stay like that, gliding and holding on to one another, but I know I’d stay here forever, just like this. Eventually, we’re called over for pictures, and a switch flips in Shay, who fights out of my arms as we approach, softly landing on the rug that has been rolled out.
“You okay?” I gasp, searching her face for answers.
Quickly, she fixes her jacket and straightens her hair. “Perfect, MacArthur. Now line up for photos.”
I can’t help but chuckle as I salute her. “Yes, Coach.”
Dragging my fingers across her back as I skate past, I find my place in the middle of the players, next to Huang. All of my best friends are behind me, cheering, patting my head, and celebrating nonstop.
Of course, my gaze finds Shay not a few seconds after I get settled, spotting her positioned between Andy and Carrington. I hope she’s doing okay, but by the smile on her face, she’s doing great. I’m sure adrenaline is playing a part, but she’s a beast right now. Like always, I’m in constant awe of her.
