Page 127 of Racking Up Penalties
“Thanks,” I manage between gulps of air, my gaze sweeping over my teammates.
I hold the ball and point it at my girl in the crowd supporting me.
The last second of the clock ticks down and we are announced the winners.
We won the championship.
I look at Tessa again to see her bouncing around the stands, cheering and all I want is to be with her, celebrating our victories for the rest of our lives.
Epilogue
1 year later
The cool metal of the stadium bench seeps through the fabric of my jeans as I perch on the edge, the sea of team colors around me a blur of excitement. My heart pounds a rhythm that matches the drumline echoing from the field, where my boyfriend Tristan is about to make his last stand in college football. He jogs into position and I can’t suppress the swell of pride that fills my chest.
It has been a crazy year since Ethan, Liam and I graduated leaving Tristan here for his final year.
Ethan and Liam were drafted onto different hockey teams and neither were close. Despite that, they came around as much as they could. All of us met up on Eastwood’s campus to be together but I am really looking forward to all of us converging in New York in a few months.
Ethan and Liam both made deals to come to New York once it was confirmed Tristan was being drafted there. As soon as I knew, I bought a storefront in the city to take my business to the next step.
Since Ethan invested in me, I’ve been making amazing progress that is surpassing all my expectations.
“Can you believe this?” I murmur, my voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd. Beside me, Ethan squeezes my hand, his dark eyes shining with the same thrill that’s coursing through my veins. The touch is grounding, a reminder that I’m not alone in my heady mix of emotions.
“Every time he steps onto the field, it’s like magic,” Ethan responds, his voice steady and filled with admiration for his friend. The intensity in his gaze isn’t just for the game; it’s for the moment, for us, for everything that’s brought us here.
I return the pressure of his grip, letting his warmth seep into me. Around us, the stands are a cacophony of cheers and anticipation, the air charged with an electric current only found in moments like these. I glance at Liam, who’s standing to my other side, his lean frame tense with focused energy. Even though hockey is his domain, he understands the significance of today, the culmination of years of sweat and dreams.
Considering they won their own championship their senior year, he’s probably reminiscing.
“Tristan’s going to kill it, baby,” Liam says, his gray eyes reflecting the stadium lights. He doesn’t have to say it out loud, but I hear the unspoken words: We’re all in this together.
“Definitely,” I reply, giving him a reassuring smile. But deep down, a flutter of nostalgia tugs at me—this is the end of an era, and everything will change after today. Yet, as I watch Tristan, confident and poised, ready to claim victory, I know it is for the best.
“Look at him go,” I whisper, more to myself than to Ethan or Liam. Tristan seems laser-focused, full of the confidence that always makes my heart skip a beat.
“Let’s make some noise!” Ethan shouts, rallying both Liam and me out of our reverie. Together, we stand up, joining the thunderous applause and cheers, our voices weaving into the tapestry of support for Tristan.
“Go, Tristan!” I scream at the top of my lungs, knowing that with every play, every tackle, every sprint, he’s writing the final lines of one chapter and preparing to start the next—with all of us by his side.
Ethan’s presence is a warm blanket around my shoulders, his arm drawing me close against the chill of the evening air. I lean into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart mirroring my own racing pulse. “Thank you,” I murmur, not just for the warmth but for the solidarity in this bittersweet moment.
“Always,” Ethan replies, his voice low and soothing. His unwavering strength is a constant, especially now, as he keeps one eye on Tristan and the other on me. It’s like he’s silently promising to catch us both should we fall.
Beside me, Liam stands like a statue, his focus sharp on the movements below. The way he watches Tristan, with such intensity and understanding, it speaks volumes about the bond they share.
“Tristan’s got this,” Liam says, finally breaking the silence. His voice is a mixture of confidence and respect—a nod to the hard work and sacrifices that have led to this point.
“Yes, he does,” I agree, my voice trembling slightly, betraying the storm of emotions swirling inside me.
The whistle cuts through the crisp autumn air, and a collective breath seems to be held before the stadium erupts into a cacophony of cheers. My pulse quickens, a rhythmic companion to the pounding feet of the players on the field. Tristan’s figure, poised and ready for action, stands out to me even from this distance—the embodiment of dedication and dreams about to unfold.
“New York, here we come,” I whisper under my breath, the words a promise to myself as much as to Ethan and Liam. The thought of all of us converging in that vibrant city sends a thrill through me.
“Look at him go!” Ethan’s voice booms beside me, his enthusiasm is contagious. His hand squeezes mine—a gesture of shared excitement. We’ve been apart, carving our paths in different cities but our relationship is only stronger.
“Unstoppable!” Liam adds, his voice a touch quieter than Ethan’s but no less fervent. He leans forward, his eyes never straying from the game. I sense the unspoken respect he holds for Tristan, a reflection of his own athletic spirit—a mirror of discipline and perseverance.
