Page 115 of Facing the Line

“It doesn’t with you.” It’s true. His mouth drops open, and I rush to explain. “The thought of traveling, exploring the world with you, figuring out who I am with my best friend by my side doesn’t sound stifling. It sounds amazing, actually. We could grow together, intertwined. Supporting each other as partners.”

He crushes me to him in a fierce hug. “Hadley, how’d I get so lucky?”

I assume it’s rhetorical, but I tell him anyway, speaking into his neck. “Don’t you know? I’m the one who’s lucky to be with you.”

“As long as we both keep thinking that, we’re going to be okay.”

Jonas pulls away and smiles, his full-wattage grin spreading across his face and practically knocking me out with the brilliance of it. He’s so handsome, inside and out, it takes my breath away.

Standing, I offer him my hand. Brushing off his pants, he grabs Bilbo’s leash. “We owe this boy a walk, don’t we?”

The dog doesn’t move from his spot under the bench.

“Not sure he’s gonna hold you to that promise.” I slide my arms around his neck and plant a kiss on his lips. “But I have some other ideas of things we could do.”

“Go for a run?” He gives me a teasing grin that I kiss away.

“Sure.”

“WatchLove Island?”

“Absolutely.” Another kiss, deeper this time.

Jonas pants as he pulls away. “Cooking lessons?”

“No. We’re gonna order takeout because I don’t plan on leaving your bed for at least a day.”

He raises his brows, picks me up, and spins me around. “That’s a deal.”

Best deal I’ve ever made.

Epilogue

JONAS

I take a deep breath. The smell of the ice fills my nose, along with the scent of popcorn and hot dogs. The roar of the crowd fades into the background as Mateo hunkers down for the faceoff. I take my position behind him, ready to back him up and finish out the third period.

Now that the pressure’s off me this year, I can relax and enjoy hockey. Announcing to my friends and family I didn’t want to go pro was easier than I thought—no one was all that surprised and everyone was supportive. I might play in a beer league for fun someday or coach pee-wee but knowing this is my last season has made it sweeter. I can come out on the ice and support my guys and see what happens this year, but it’s not on me alone.

The new C on my jersey feels good, too. Not something I have to live up to, but a challenge to help everyone be their best self.

Silence descends as we wait for the ref to drop the puck. I grip my stick through my gloves, my body coiled tight. The UConn player snags it first, and we dash down the ice towards our goal.They make an attempt, but John keeps it out of the net with ease and sends it to Brody. He loops behind the goal, and I check a Huskie into the boards to give him an opening.

I don’t know why Brody is playing on the first line with me instead of Evan. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good forward. But as a senior, I was sure Evan would start in the home opener game tonight. Coach pulled him into his office and said something right before warm ups; Evan has been sitting on the bench staring into space ever since. When I asked him what was wrong, he shook his head and wouldn’t say anything. Maybe he will open up later, but I’m not gonna push him during a game.

For now, Brody rushes down the ice, and I get in position. He passes to me. I connect and send it back to Mateo. Tanner and Zack block the UConn players trying to intercept the puck, and we put the biscuit in the basket, making the score four to two. Exhilaration flows through my veins as I pump my fist in the air. Nothing’s better than helping my team play excellent hockey.

Except maybe being with Hadley. My eyes connect with hers across the crowded arena. In a row full of family and friends, she blows me a kiss, bouncing on her toes. She’s wearing my jersey. I can’t help but smile. It’s been three weeks since she surprised me at the animal shelter, and I’ve never been happier. When we were a couple before, something was always hanging over my head—Hunter finding out about us or the end of the summer. But now, Hadley and I can relax and enjoy being together. We volunteer with the dogs once a week, we work out, watch terrible reality TV, and don’t have to hide how we feel from anyone. It’s a dream come true.

The ref blows his whistle, and I focus on the game. We hold the Huskies off for the next fifteen minutes, thanks to John’s awesome goaltending, and win our home opener. Strains of “All I Do Is Win” fills the arena as I’m surrounded by my teammates.Everyone piles out onto the ice to celebrate and slap each other’s backs. I’ve earned this—there’s no guilt about savoring it, either.

I’m going to enjoy an afterparty celebration too. I wave at Hadley as the team skates off the ice and heads into the locker room to change. I can’t wait to kiss her senseless.

Since my family is in town for the game, we bypass the team celebration at O’Bryan’s and get a late dinner at Jackie’s. They squeeze all seven of us around a long table tucked in the back room, and I sigh with contentment as I slide into my seat.

“You played great tonight, Jonas,” my dad says, sitting across from me. My mom is next to him, beaming.

“Seriously.” Hunter nods his approval, on his other side. He and Natalie came from Chicago for a quick visit around his travel schedule. “Three assists on four goals? Those are awesome stats. Congrats, Captain.”

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