Page 185 of Desperate Pucker
I swallow hard and nod.
“Feels really damn good proving everyone wrong, doesn’t it?” he says with a gleam in his eyes.
“Yeah. It does.”
He gives my shoulder a tap, then rejoins Abby and Emma.
I look over and see Maddy on the edge of the rink. I rush over to her and grab her hand, leading her onto the ice.
Her face is flushed, and her eyes are teary as she gazes around at the chaos around us. The ice is crowded. Everyone is out here—players, coaches, team staff, reporters, photographers, family, and friends. The air in the arena is electric from the fans cheering and screaming.
It’s overwhelming in the best way.
“This is remarkable,” Maddy murmurs. She turns to me, beaming. “Look at what you did, Ryker. All of this is because of you.”
Her voice shakes with emotion. I swallow back the lump in my throat
“And you.” I cradle her face in my hands and give her a slow, soft kiss.
When we break apart, I gaze down at her. “For the longest time, I thought that winning the Cup would be the greatest joy in my life. But it’s not. It’s having you in my life.”
Her eyes shine with tears.
“I love you, Maddy. I love you so much, I can hardly breathe sometimes.”
“I love you so much too.”
The trophy appears on the ice. Someone claps a hand on my back.
I turn and see Coach Porter. “You should be the first to hold it.”
I grab Maddy’s hand and walk her over to the trophy. My heart pounds as I look at the massive, shiny trophy. When I think about how my name will be etched in it forever, tears burn in my eyes. I shake my head in disbelief.
I pick up the trophy and hold it over my head. The crowd goes nuts. I swallow back the sob in my throat at how insane this moment is. For so long, it felt impossible, but it’s actually happening.
I look at Maddy. “Because of you.”
She flashes a wobbly smile at me. I set the trophy down and see my parents and siblings standing on the edge of the ice. I motion for them to come over. They’re all crying and smiling.
When I hug my parents, the tightness in my chest is almost too much to handle.
“This is just as much for you as it is for me,” I say to them, my voice shaky. “Thank you for all the sacrifices you made so that I could play hockey.”
My parents squeeze me tight.
“Oh, honey. We’d do it again in a heartbeat,” Mom says.
“We’re so proud of you, son,” Dad says.
They wipe their eyes and step back so I can hug Anna and Nick.
“Ryker! You did it!” Anna squeals. She steps aside so Nick can hug me too.
He grins at me. “Congrats, big brother.” He glances over at the trophy.
“You’re gonna be here too someday,” I say to him.
He looks at me, his eyes bright. “I hope so.”
