Page 94 of Switching Skates

I force out a heavy breath, inhale, and hold it as I shift on my skates and turn to face my future.

She might as well have a spotlight on her, as I find her so quickly, glowing like the fucking sun.

And wearing my jersey.

My girl.

Mygirl.

Myfucking girl!

Our eyes connect, and a big smile erupts from her. My heart beats out of my chest as I drift toward the glass and stare up at her in awe.

Maeve pulls something out from behind her and hands it to Daphne. Daphne unrolls the giant paper—no, poster. Lifting it up, she tucks it under her chin, holding a sign with four monumental words.

I love you too.

My heart bursts, exploding like fireworks in the sky.

She bites down on her lip and flips the sign around. A tearful laugh bubbles out of me as I read it.

Only if you win.

This sassy, beautiful, smart-ass,perfectgirl.

A thought pops into my mind, and my feet are moving, acting it out before I can think it through for a second. I skate toward the bench, drop my mask, stick, glove, and blocker.

The equipment manager stops me. “Where are you going?”

“Guards. Put guards on my skates.” At least I can manage that rational thought right now.

He does as I asked without hesitating, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.

“Holt!” my head coach shouts at me and holds my stare.

Regardless of what he says, I’m going.

And then his lips tip into a smile. “Make it quick.”

I’m racing down the tunnel as fast as I can, climbing the stairs up to the next level and bursting into the hallway. All while the music I’ve spent years listening to while thinking of her plays all around me.

Fans look at me in shock, surprise, and excitement, not used to seeing me on this side of the arena, especially during warm-ups.

But this is an exception.Sheis the exception.

Reaching the top of her section, I catch my breath as everything around me seems to slow down.

She and Maeve are looking at each other, confused and worried, facing the ice.

I descend the first couple of stairs hastily. Only a few more to go to get to her row.

Then, somehow, Daphne turns her head as if she could sense my presence.

Her hair whooshes behind her as she turns, and her eyes land perfectly on mine.

Her lips part, a nervous smile tipping the corners as her shoulders tighten.

She holds her breath, and at the same time, we move.