Page 118 of Game On
I laugh and playfully shove him. “Oh, I don’t doubt it.”
Hudson turns to me, his smile fading just slightly as reality crashes back in. We have a lot to talk about, but this isn’t the time or place, and we both know it. His fingers brush against the small of my back, a brief reassurance before he steps away. Then he’s gone, swallowed up by the rest of the squad.
I stand there for a moment, feeling the loss of his presence keenly, but then Molly and Olivia are beside me, their arms around my shoulders, pulling me back into the present.
“Oh my God, Ella! You were incredible!” Molly gushes. “I can’t believe how much you’ve improved this year. The Sirens won’t know what to do with you.”
I give a hollow laugh. “That’s right.”
The truth is, I haven’t even thought about the Sirens once. My old squad, my former teammates, they’re the least of my concerns. But my future with Hudson? That’s an unfinished sentence I desperately need to complete.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Hudson
All the pairs from partner stunts have performed by now. Ella and I are standing together on the sidelines, waiting for the final announcement. Our hands are clutched tightly together. Hopeful, anxious.
Despite the uncertainty of our future together, and the run-in I had with Ella’s shit of an ex-boyfriend, the world still feels right as long as she’s beside me.
The judges call out the rankings, starting from the bottom. My heart pounds in sync with each pair of names they announce. Fourth place. Third place. They take center stage to accept their trophies. To bask in their achievement.
And then finally, “Ella Davies and Hudson Fox, Whitland University.” We’ve placed second overall in the competition, and, damn, it feels surreal.
The world tilts for a moment as cheers erupt around us. Ella squeezes my hand, and I pull her in for a hug. Her smile—so radiant, so perfect—lights up the whole fucking stage. We’re still hugging, the crowd still shouting, as the speaker booms out the names of the first-placewinners. It’s Claire and Evan, who slid by us with a fraction of a point.
But Ella doesn’t seem to mind in the slightest. In fact, she breaks away from me, her eyes blazing with satisfaction as she spots Claire. With a genuine grin, she strides over to the winning pair. For a split second, I think Claire might turn away, that old jealousy rearing its ugly head, but then something amazing happens: Claire wraps her in a hug.
I watch, completely baffled as they embrace. The applause from the crowd is earsplitting and, from the elated look on her face, I can tell it all means the world to Ella. She’s worked so hard for this, trained for it in a way that would break most people. Now she’s here, making peace with Claire, standing on solid ground.
Ella is back by my side in a matter of minutes, her cheeks flushed. “I can’t believe we placed second,” she breathes out, eyes sparkling. “We really did it.”
“Congratulations, El. You deserve it.”
“You too.” She frowns. “Do you think—do we have time to talk now?”
“Preliminaries are in a couple hours. How about we wait until later on?”
She sighs, and I almost change my mind right then and there. I do want to talk to her, but timing isn’t on our side. It’s important that we do well later today. This opening competition isn’t just a showcase of our routine. The score will factor into our performance tomorrow, and it can impact the morale of the whole team. Twenty-five percent of the total is nothing to scoff at.
But I can see the longing in Ella’s eyes. “I promise,” I add, softening my tone. “We’ll get some time. Just trust me for now.”
She nods, a hesitant smile creeping onto her lips. “Alright, I’ll hold you to it.”
The rest of the afternoon is a whirlwind of activity: practice runs, uniform adjustments, and strategic pep talks. The hours pass in a blink, and then we’re gathering for our final huddle before the routine. Coach Morgan steps into the center, her presence commanding everyone’s attention.
“Alright, team, listen up!” she begins, her voice firm but encouraging. “We’ve worked harder than ever this season. Every one of you has pushed beyond your limits, and now it’s time to show them what we’re made of.”
Ella glances at me as she takes my hand. In the same vein, I turn to Luke beside me, taking his in mine. This squad is a unit, a family, and it’s one I’m proud to be a part of.
“We’re here because we deserve to be,” Coach continues. “We’ve earned our place among the best. Remember, it’s not just about hitting the stunts; it’s about heart, passion, and leaving everything on that mat. When you step out there, you’re not just representing Whitland—you’re representing yourselves, your hard work, and your commitment.”
Her eyes sweep over the team, making sure to make eye contact with each of us. “I know the pressure is intense. I know the stakes are high. But I believe in every single one of you. You’ve got this. Trust in your training, trust in each other, and, most importantly, trust in yourselves.”
She pauses, letting her words sink in. “And remember, no matter what happens out there, I’m proud of you. You’ve already proven your strength and resilience. Now, let’s go out there and show everyone that Whitland power!”
A collective cheer rises from the team: “Rise up, stand tall, we conquer all!”
We break the huddle, adrenaline pumping as we make our way to the performance area. The music blares, and we start our routine strong. The crowd’s energy feeds into our performance, lifting us higher, pushing us further. My hands are steady, my focus unwavering, and I can tell that we’re all in perfect sync.
