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Chapter thirty-five

Epilogue- Nina

I t's six months later, and Detroit is still humming with victory. The banners, the championship merch, and the lingering glow haven’t faded. But I’m not just riding the high anymore. I’m rooted in it.

My heels echo down the backstage corridor of the Detroit Civic Auditorium, my TED Talk headset already in place. I’m wearing a sleek, navy suit, sharp and understated. A statement without being loud. Just like I want to be today.

My palms sweat despite the temperature-controlled air. You’d think speaking to a packed house after surviving playoff pressure and media chaos would be easy. But this is different.

This is mine.

“Dr. Nina Erwin, please take your mark.”

I smile politely at the stagehand, step into the spotlight’s shadow, and exhale. Behind me, somewhere offstage and out of sight, I know Alex is there. I haven’t seen him since we arrived, but he said it with a kiss this morning. You’ve got this, Doc.

The emcee’s voice booms: “Please welcome Director of Mental Performance for the Detroit Acers, and Manager of the Life Spark Mindset Initiative, Dr. Nina Erwin!”

Applause swells. My heels click forward. I step into the light.

“Hi,” I begin, letting the crowd settle. “Let’s talk about what it means to win.”

Laughter ripples gently. I lean in.

“I work with champions. Athletes who have played through injury, heartbreak, trauma, and pressure most people can’t imagine. And what I’ve learned is that winning isn’t about perfection. It’s about resilience. It’s about showing up again and again, even when your confidence wavers. Especially then.”

I walk slowly across the stage, my voice steady. I speak about growth, about psychology, about the Life Spark kids and the way their eyes light up when they realize they’re more than their setbacks.

I talk about vulnerability. About how choosing something uncertain over something guaranteed is the bravest thing we can do.

“And sometimes,” I say, smiling, “your greatest win sneaks in when you’re too focused on surviving to notice it standing right in front of you.”

The crowd laughs again. I spot Lizzie in the front row, eyes glassy. Coach Derek sits next to her, chin lifted with that rare, stoic approval that means more than words.

I end the talk with this: “We’re not promised wins. But we are promised chances. And how we take them—that’s the real story.”

The applause is resounding.

I walk offstage to find him exactly where I knew he’d be. Right behind the curtain, flowers in hand, grin locked and loaded.

“Roses?” I tease.

He shrugs. “Figured you’d crush it. Thought the MVP needed flowers.”

He pulls me into a hug that feels like home.

“Still don’t believe in shrinks?” I ask into his shoulder.

He leans back just enough to kiss me.

"Only the hot ones named Nina."