Page 186 of Wish You Were Mine
10.000
The arena erupted.
Screams. Cheers. Arms thrown around my shoulders. My feet left the ground as my teammates lifted me, and the announcer’s voice boomed over it all:
“With a perfect ten on floor, Lucy Archibald is your NCAA All-Around Champion!”
I laughed and sobbed at the same time, adrenaline crackling in every cell. Coach Chambers and Nora were hugging me. The rest of my teammates were jumping. And when I turned toward the stands to search for my loved ones, Owen was already on his feet, one hand in his hair like he couldn’t believe what he’d just seen, the other pressed to his heart as he grinned down at me.
I had to stay in the corral for photos and quick interviews, my medal hanging solid and bright around my neck. My cheeks ached from smiling, my voice felt raw from cheering. And inside, my heart was pounding like it was still mid-routine.
When the last flashbulb popped and the finalhandshake was done, I glanced toward the stands and saw my family making their way down the steps.
My mom reached me first, her arms coming around me, with a sob that shook us both as she whispered, “I knew you could do it.”
My dad was right there, too, folding us into his arms. “We’ve been waiting for this moment your whole life, Lu. You earned every bit of it, and we couldn’t be more proud.”
I stayed there, eyes squeezed shut, soaking in their warmth and the pride in their voices. Because after years of early mornings, long drives, and so many sacrifices, we were finally here.
And I couldn’t have done it without their support.
“Congrats, sis,” Theo said next, giving me a tight side hug with Charlotte on his hip. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks,” I said, appreciating that my big brother had been able to make time to come to so many of my meets throughout the year, even though he was so busy with his demanding career and raising Charlotte on his own.
When Charlotte reached over to give me a hug, I spotted Owen standing just behind Theo, still holding back until my family had had their moment. His smile was all pride and awe, and when I finally stepped up to him, his arms were already open.
And the second his arms wrapped around me, I was airborne, his laugh rumbling against my ear as my feet left the ground.
“You did it, Lucy” he whispered. “You were unreal out there.”
“I can’t believe I stuck the double full,” I said, grinning through the tears on my cheeks.
“You did more than stick it.” His hands framed my face, thumbs brushing the edges of my smile. “You made the wholeworld stop. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful.”
And then I kissed him—right there at the barricade, in front of my family, fans, cameras and whoever else might have been watching.
Because I wanted to.
And I could.
THEO
Bookingan eight a.m. flight after a weekend of nonstop gymnastics was definitely not my brightest move. Especially when said flight was with an overtired three-year-old who thought “sitting still” was a suggestion and not a requirement.
Though, I couldn’t takeallthe blame for the chaos that was sure to happen on this four-hour flight. At least I’d tried to make it better by booking first-class seats for both Charlotte and me.
But when the airline oversold them, my grand plan went out the window—leaving me trudging down the narrow aisle of the main cabin, clutching our carry-ons and silently praying our seatmate wouldn’t hate kids.
Charlotte was adorable. Obviously. But not everyone shared my bias.
We made our way down the aisle—me angling our bags so they didn’t smack anyone in the shoulder, my daughter dragging her sparkly unicorn backpack.
And when I spotted our row, I found a familiar shock of reddish-brown hair by the window.
Lucy’s friend, Nora.
Thank goodness it’s someone I know,I thought as relief loosened my shoulders. I’d been sure we’d be sharing our row with a grumpy old man who hated kids.
