Page 71 of The Save

My head snapped up at the sound of Rob's voice. Sharla straightened next to me.

"This has been the best season of my life. Not just because we won bronze. But because of what this team’s become. A family.” He looked down at the crowd, searching until his eyes landed on us. His smile widened. “I got offered a spot on a development team,” he said to cheers and whoops. “Everyone says it could be a foot in the door. Said it could lead to something big.”

The cheers continued, but he held up a hand and the noise faltered.

"I was all in, ready to pack up and leave at the end of May, but something happened while we were gone at Nationals. I realized that I didn’t care about the door anymore. Or what was behind it. Not if it meant missing out on the family I found. The family I'm building.”

The crowd cheered at that, and Rob raised his voice. "I'll be staying here at Douglas because there's someone outside of these guys behind me who stands by me every step of the way. She's the most important person in my life, and Sharla, if you'll get up here, I have a question for you." Rob dropped to his knees as the crowd exploded.

Sharla stood shaking next to me. "He's not joining the team?"

I laughed, tears stinging my eyes. "Doesn't look like it."

"But—"

I gave her a little nudge, and that was all she needed. The crowd cheered as she walked to the stairs, then quieted when she ascended to stand in front of Rob. He pulled something from his pocket, and Axel grabbed the mic, holding it to his mouth.

"You hate being in front of people," Sharla whispered, the mic barely picking her up.

"Unless he's on skates!" someone shouted, and they both laughed.

"Yeah, well, I needed you to know that I'm serious." Rob lifted his hand, holding up something that glinted gold. "Sharla, I love you." His voice broke as he reached for her hand.

"I'm going to pass out," Crystal hissed next to me, and I wrapped my arm around her. I was also currently struggling to breathe.

"Will you marry me?" Rob asked.

Sharla didn't hesitate. She yelled a "Yes!" then shoved the ring on her finger and yanked him up to kiss her. Axel whooped, then pulled out a tiny, red Outlaws onesie. Crystal and Iawww’din unison. I'd ogled the baby stuff in the bookstore on more than one occasion, and I couldn’t handle it when he turned it around. On the back, stitched in gold letters, was the number twenty-three. "Like dad!" Axel crowed, and the crowd went bonkers.

Crystal wrapped her arm around my waist. “Is there any part of you that worries?”

I nodded. “You know me.” Every part of me worried for them. Shar was going to have a baby, and even though they lived under the same roof, they’d only beentogethertogether for a few months.

I sighed. “But if anyone could make it . . . “

“Yeah. I know. It’s them.” Crystal swiped at her eyes. "I shouldn't have worn mascara."

I laughed, pulling her toward the stage.Our friends were getting married. Our friends were having a baby.Awe, elation, gratitude, fear, grief, and a thousand other emotions swirled inside me as we approached the stage. Blakely and a handful of other Douglas administrators, including Lamont, congratulated our players.

We squealed and celebrated with Shar, inspected the ring Rob had chosen—a thin gold band with beveled edges—promising to come over later. Crystal moved over to talk with Rory, and with everyone momentarily occupied, I slipped between Tim and Bear to snag Axel. "Hey, where's Coach Wilson?"

Axel frowned. “Why?"

"Just—" I pursed my lips. "Do you know or not?"

Axel's eyes narrowed. "He had to go home. Said it was a family thing.”

My throat thickened, all of my suspicions ringing true.A family thing."When you called him, when I didn't answer the day I was supposed to show up at your meeting, how did you get his number?”

Axel shrugged. “I just got it from Coach Kaplan’s office. They keep a file. He’s got a personal info sheet in his file folder.”

Of course he did. But Kaplan’s office was now Chase's, and if he wasn't there— "Thank you." I gave him a quick hug. "Congrats!"

"Maddie—"

I rushed off, feeling only a little guilty for ditching him mid-sentence, and headed straight for Blakely.

“Coach!" I snagged him before he turned to the stairs. “Do you happen to have Chas— Coach Wilson's address?" His brow furrowed, and I quickly added, "I wanted to take over some cookies. To thank him for letting me work with the team this semester and to say congratulations.” I gave my most innocent smile.No we were not making out in his office with the door locked less than a week ago.

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