Page 113 of When Alec Met Evie
Even though loving each other is mostly amazing, I’m not going to lie and say it isn’t punctuated with short bursts of intensity, of arguments and sadness, even disappointment. But those moments just serve as reminders to focus, to connect, to look at each other and remember that what we have with each other is worth it.
And itisworth it.
When I look at my girls, with their matching blue eyes and big smiles, when I think of everything we’ve been through, of how good it feels to love them, I don’t have a single doubt in the world.
EPILOGUE
EVIE
The energyin the Summit is absolutely electric. Even though the season is technically over, the Appies just won the Calder Cup for the second year running, and tonight, they’re having a celebration in their home arena. It’s a tribute to their fans and, much to my delight, to their former captain. They’re retiring Alec’s jersey number as part of tonight’s proceedings, honoring him in a way that has already moved my tender-hearted boyfriend to tears more than once.
And it hasn’t even happened yet.
Alec has been at the Summit all day, doing who knows what with the rest of the team, so I’m only with Megan when I arrive at the arena. After a long debate with Alec, I decided to leave my very squirmy thirteen-month-old with Ruth for the night. I would love to have her here with me, but she just started walking and is basically trouble on legs. Twoadorablysquishylegs. But still. I’d rather not miss half the event because I’m chasing her up and down the arena stairs.
Unfortunately, after his dad’s stroke, Alec’s parents weren’t able to make the trip to be here with us. But Parker promisedme the entire thing would be live-streamed on the Appies’ social media platforms, and my little brother Brady agreed to drive over to their retirement villa in White Plains to make sure the tech part of participating didn’t overwhelm them.
He already checked in and gave me a thumbs up that all is set and ready to stream.
My family will also be watching, which makes my heart happy, even if I do wish they could be here in person. They’d initially planned to make the trip, but since Alec and I were just in New York for Brady’s high school graduation, they decided to save their travel points and come back this summer when they can stay for a couple of weeks and really enjoy the mountains.
Parker meets the three of us at the VIP entrance to tonight’s event with a huge smile on her face. “Hi. Are you excited? I’m so excited!” She squeezes my hands. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
I’m not even a little surprised to see Parker so out of her mind with excitement. This is exactly the kind of thing her social-media savvy brain loves. She talks the entire time she’s walking with us to the seating she has reserved just for us, hinting at the many things the evening will include. Some sort of special shoot-out. A Texas-themed performance from Carter and Theo I can’t wait to see. And lots of audience-participation things I’m sure the fans are going to love.
“So the jersey retirement ceremony is happening at the end of the night,” Parker says when we finally reach our seats. “And that’s when you two need to be down on the ice with Alec. When you see the Summit staff rolling out the walkway to cover the ice, that’s your cue to move. Got it?”
We nod in unison, and Parker smiles. “Good,” she says. But then she gets this weird look on her face, like she’s fighting back emotion before she adds, “I’m so excited for you guys, Evie. It’s going to be so great.”
Nerves coil in my belly as Parker turns and leaves.Whatis going to be so great? The jersey retirement? Or…does Parker know something I don’t?
Megan must be asking herself the same question because as soon as Parker is out of earshot, she turns and grips my arm. “Evie, do you think Alec is going to propose tonight?”
I bite my lip as my eyes dart around the arena. Hemightpropose. Our relationship has definitely progressed to the point where it wouldn’t surprise me. We talk about Juno like she’s ours, I refer to him as her dad whenever we’re out and about and we meet new people. And Alec is constantly trying to get her to sayDada.At this point, an actual proposal will feel more like a formality. We both know this is the future we want. Thefamilywe want.
Still. My romantic heart has been excited about the actual event. Anticipating when and how Alec might ask.
A tiny thread of disappointment unfurls in my chest. I’m not sure the Summit and a sea of hockey fans is the location I would have picked.
“Hey,” Megan says when I don’t answer. “Are you disappointed? What’s with the face?” She frowns. “Oh gosh. Please tell me you’ll say yes if he asks.”
“What? Of course I’ll say yes. Are you crazy? I just…never thought he’d go for a big public proposal.” As much as Alec shines in the spotlight, as good as he is at talking to people, our relationship has always been something we’ve kept private. Partly because of Juno. Alec has abigonline following, and we decided to be very intentional about how much of our personal lives we share in his feed. But also because this thing we’ve built together has just felt so special, I think we’ve both had the impulse to hold it close. Cherish the magic of it without really needing it to be a big thing we celebrate witheveryone.
At least, I thought that’s how we both felt.
Megan loops her arm through mine. “Come on. Don’t stress. Just trust him. He loves you, and he knows you. I’m sure whatever happens tonight, it’s going to be amazing.”
And itisamazing. Entertaining and hilarious and a true celebration of the magic that is the Appies. The team really is special, largely because of the relationship they have with their fans, and everything about tonight is geared to celebrate that support. Like one giant hockey-themed thank-you card. Alec is dressed out with his team, and it feels good to see him in uniform one last time. He looks so happy, his smile wide as he interacts with teammates and fans.
Finally, it’s time for the jersey retirement ceremony. When members of the Summit staff start rolling out the walkway Parker mentioned, Megan and I jump up from our seats. Parker is waiting for us as soon as we step into the concourse, and she hurries us down to the tunnel, where we find Alec already waiting. He’s changed out of his Appies uniform and is wearing my favorite of his gameday suits—navy blue with a pale pink pinstripe—and he looks good enough to make me cry. There’s a band around his arm, marked with a Captain’s C and his jersey number, forty-four.
I step up beside him and slip my hand into his, reminding myself that this moment is about him, and if he does propose at some point in the next half hour, I will be happy about it, and I will say yes.
“Hi,” I say as I squeeze his fingers. “Fancy seeing you here.”
He looks down at me and smiles. “Hi,” he says, but then his eyes narrow as he studies me. “What’s wrong? Why do you look nervous?”
I scoff. “What? I’m not nervous. I’m totally fine.”
