Page 119 of The Sweetest Revenge

My body still pulsed with aftershocks, sensitive in ways I'd never experienced before, as if my skin had been replaced with something thinner, more receptive.

We stood breathless for a long moment, the library's silence settling around us. My fingers trembled slightly as I adjusted my clothes.

Zaiden slid his zipper up, his expression softening from intensity to something more vulnerable. "Are you hungry?" he smiled. "We could try that new twenty-four-hour diner before heading home."

"Yeah," I matched his smile, studying the familiar lines of his face. Four days had felt like forever. "I really missed you."

Six months ago, I couldn't have imagined saying them, not after the torment, the blame, the way Kacie's death had shattered everything. But now, watching him gather my scattered notes and textbook, I realized the truth of it. He was my safe place, somehow, still despite everything, or maybe because of it.

"Come on," he said, offering his hand. "Let's get out of here before they lock us in."

I laced my fingers through his, feeling the steady pulse in his wrist against mine as we walked away from the secluded desk that had witnessed both my academic struggles and our reunion. Tomorrow, I'd face probability distributions again. Tonight belonged to us.

EPILOGUE

ARIELLA

2years later…

I burst through the arena doors, my heart pounding as I checked the time on my phone—7:54 PM. I was so freaking late, and the game was nearly over. Yesterday, my flight was delayed, and then I missed my connecting flight, and I couldn't get another plane until today, which also ended up being delayed.

I sprinted down the corridor, lungs burning.

"Excuse me! Sorry!"

A wall of bodies blocked my path, fans already leaving, thinking the night's excitement was over. I ducked under elbows and slipped between families, my shoulder bag catching on someone's jacket.

After graduation, Zaiden signed with the Atlanta Hurricanes and moved across the country to Georgia. I stayed behind with three years of school still ahead of me.

It hadn't been easy, but we'd made it work. During hockey season, I flew to him whenever possible. During the off-season, he lived with me back home.

The distance had one silver lining: I'd packed in extra classes to graduate early. And secretly, I hoped that after graduation, he'd ask me to move with him to Georgia.

But the best part of all of it was not only that I'd forgiven Zaiden but that he'd learned to forgive himself. He no longer blamed himself for what happened to Kacie or what almost happened to me.

He was finally free, and because of that, he was a completely different person. The one I'd fallen for before.

Six months ago, Anne was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the murder of Kacie and twenty-five years to life for the attempted murder of me. She still hadn't been charged for her part in the school shooting or Officer Tanner's deal, but we were all happy to know that we'd never have to see her again. She'd gotten what she deserved.

The sound of the buzzer echoed through the building as I finally emerged into the stands. I usually sat in a suite, but this time, Zaiden got me glass seats, which was so much better. I spotted Journey, Sterling, Hawk, and Mila all cheering along with the crowd. It was our first time all together in over a year.

Journey graduated with Zaiden and moved to New York to pursue a career on Broadway. Sterling was drafted into the NHL the same year, but an injury ended his career early. Now, he was a high school coach, and Mila was graduating with me.

The scoreboard showed less than a minute left in the third period. Zaiden's team was up by one goal. I scanned the ice, spotting him in his number 54 jersey as he skated into position for a face-off.

"I made it," I whispered, collapsing into my seat beside Journey. My lungs still burned from the sprint.

Journey's eyes widened as she spun toward me, her black hair whipping around her shoulders. "Oh my God!" She grabbed my arm, her silver bangles jingling. "You're actually here!"

Across the row, Mila caught my eye and elbowed Hawk, both of them breaking into relieved grins and offering enthusiastic waves.

"We didn't think you were going to make it," Sterling said, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

I pushed my hair from my face and exhaled shakily. "I didn't either." The sounds of skates scraping ice and sticks clacking brought me back to the moment. "How's he doing?" I asked, nodding toward the rink where Zaiden's number 54 darted between opponents.

"They're winning," Journey said. "And Zaiden only got put in the box once."

I laughed. "That's definitely a win."

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