Page 103 of Goalie Secrets

When she eases from the climax, I stand to reveal my tented sweatpants. She pulls them down to release my hardness, the tip so inflamed it’s taken on a feverish red hue.

Standing naked in front of Vanya reminds me of the first time we kissed, in a cold basement hidden from the world. Today there’s no hesitation, no secrets.

“It looks like you need a little help with that, Jeremy.”

Vanya nudges me to sit on the couch. Her thighs straddle my hips, her warmth and aroma and whimpers overwhelmingly erotic. Our caresses intensify. When we free fall into ecstasy, we catch each other in the cradle of loving arms.

We’re home.Ourhome.

The last box lands with a satisfying thud in the corner of Jeremy’s living room, nowourliving room. I stare at the stack of labeled cardboard, the bold scrawl of BOOKS reminding me of the gravity of living in Columbus for good.

Ashley and I had a heart-to-heart this summer, her voice unwavering. “You don’t need to live in Boston to make a difference,” she had said. “Besides, I kind of love the idea of you bossing around a room full of goalies instead.”

That had earned a laugh, and then some tears, and finally, her blessing to do what I knew deep down I wanted all along. So here I am, in Columbus, surrounded by boxes and held in Jeremy’s arms.

The choice to step back from academic research had felt like severing a lifeline at first. I’d spent years immersed in hypermobility studies, chasing trends and solutions like they were my own personal grail. But focusing on goaltending injuries, bridging that gap between my medical expertise and Jeremy’s world? That’s not giving up. It’s pivoting. It’s meeting a need in real time.

I’ll still contribute to conferences as a physiatrist. Dedicating myself to the well being of patients will never end. Will my efforts be revolutionary? Not likely. But I don’t have to revolutionize the field to be effective.

“You’ve been smiling to yourself for five minutes now. I love seeing my woman satisfied.”

“I’m never satisfied,” I tease. “But I’m happy.”

“Youare my happy,” he says. “You are everything.”

My chest tightens with all the feelings I can barely express. Excitement and contentment, care and trust, joy and passion.

So much has happened but we’re only getting started. The future isn’t perfectly laid out. There will be setbacks. Yet for the first time, I’m not trying to get away or chase one more win.

When Jeremy leans over to kiss me, I know there’s no place else I’d rather be.

I’m fulfilled, not just in what I do but in who I am. Not just in who I’m with, but in how we are together.

THE END