Page 56 of Devil on Skates

During the celebrations, I watch Xavier juggle team hugs and individual congratulations. He’s grown into the kind of player who knows when to shine and when to share the spotlight.

Once the crowd thins and almost everyone goes home, we wait for Xavier to come out of the locker room. He spots us right away and heads over, his eyes glinting with happiness, even though I can tell he’s tired too. First he hugs his parents, and then he comes to me.

His hug gives me so much comfort, and I can’t imagine not having him in my life. His mouth finds mine, and he gives me a long and deep kiss that’s so intense our parents actually look away because they don’t want to intrude on our moment.

“You did it,” I say as we pull back slightly but keep holding hands.

“Wedid,” he says with a grin.

He’s right. We’re in this together and always have been. It’s our moment.

“I love you,” he says.

“I love you too.” I pull him into my arms again.

As other players celebrate with their families and shout and cheer around us, we’re in our own little bubble as we gaze deep into each other’s eyes.

“Did you ever imagine this could happen?” he asks. “When we met.”

“Not exactly,” I say. “But I always hoped for something real.”

Beneath all the noise and pressure, our partnership is bigger than any game or anything else. And I’m so damn grateful for all the struggles, challenges, and even the pain, because without them, we might have never found this.

Xavier and I won the most important game of our lives when we got together, and I’m sure we’ll keep winning, no matter what comes next.