25. Emma
”Emma, we want you to sit on the bench with us tonight. The team wants to acknowledge your contributions, and we”d be honored if you”d join us.”
“No, thank you,” I say with a laugh.
”That wasn’t a question,” Callie interjects as she comes up behind me. “You’re getting recognized tonight. If you think we won’t have players carry you to the center line, you’re wrong.”
“I appreciate the sentiment but I’m not doing it for recognition.”
“We all know that,” Chase says. “If it weren’t for you we wouldn’t be winning the games we are without Zane.”
“How so?” I ask.
“The workouts you built out for me for speed and control have made the weakest skater ninety percent better in a short amount of time. Your corrections during practice about stopping, puck handling, and so on have made all of my players stronger across the board. Before, Zane was the only one with a vast amount of knowledge and skill that he wasn’t willing to share with anyone. You helped us get back to fundamentals to better everyone.”
“The team wants to show their support for you. We”re not taking no for an answer. You”ve been a crucial part of the Battle Hawks family, and tonight, we want everyone to see that,” Callie interjects as she comes up behind us.
”Okay, I”ll do it. But let”s keep it low-key, alright?”
Chase grins. ”Deal. We”ll make it a special moment without overshadowing the game.”
As I make my way into the rink later that evening, the atmosphere is charged with excitement. Fans cheer, the sound echoing through the arena. I spot Chasity near the entrance, her presence a reminder of the fractured friendship between us. The tension lingers, but tonight, there”s a chance for reconciliation.
”Emma,” she calls out, stopping me in my tracks.
I turn to face her, uncertainty clouding my expression. ”Chasity?”
“Can we find a quiet place to talk before the game starts?”
I agree, and we move to a secluded corner away from the bustling crowd. The air is charged with unspoken words as we face each other, the weight of the past between us.
”Emma, I”ve read your letter several times. I was hurt and reacted. I can’t forgive you. I don’t have it in me, but I appreciate the apology,” Chasity says, her tone sincere. “Since you’re not in the owner’s box today, I will be.”
Her husband walks up behind her and gives me a dirty look before taking her hand and leading her away.
What a weird day. I haven’t taken the ice with a team since high school.
The game unfolds with intensity, the Battle Hawks rallying on the ice. I take a seat on the bench, the team”s acknowledgment a humbling experience. The fans cheer, and I can”t help but feel a swell of gratitude for the support surrounding me.
At half time, Chase nudges me. The announcer starts talking and Drake goes to the center line with a giant grin on his face.
I step onto the ice, the cold seeping through my shoes. The rink is bathed in the glow of overhead lights, and the hum of the crowd echoes through the arena. It”s a momentous night, not just for the Battle Hawks, but for me.
The announcer”s voice booms through the speakers, introducing notable people in the Battle Hawks team; the trainers, the staff, and so on. As my name echoes through the rink, I can feel the warmth of the crowd”s applause. The titles bestowed upon me—America”s Sweetheart and Willow Creek”s Ice Princess—ring in my ears, a testament to the journey that brought me to this point.
I take in the cheers and camera flashes. The pressure of the spotlight is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. The Battle Hawks are playing exceptionally well, and the energy in the arena is infectious.
The announcer”s voice breaks through the cheers, capturing the attention of everyone in the arena. ”Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special moment in store for you tonight. Please direct your attention to center ice.”
The crowd hushes, a sense of anticipation settling over the rink. That”s when I see him—Drake, standing at the center line with a determined expression on his face.
The crowd”s murmur rises as Drake drops to one knee, holding out a small box. My heart pounds in my chest, the world around me fading as I focus on him. The announcer”s voice rings out, ”Ladies and gentlemen, Drake Baron has something special to ask Emma Matthews!”
The cheers reach a crescendo, and I can feel the eyes of everyone in the arena on us. The gravity of the moment is both exhilarating and overwhelming. Drake”s eyes meet mine, his gaze unwavering as he opens the box, revealing a stunning ring.
In that moment, the world seems to stand still. ”Emma Matthews,” he begins, his voice carrying through the rink, ”you”ve been my anchor, my inspiration. You”ve faced challenges with grace and strength, and I can”t imagine my life without you. Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?”
The weight of his words hangs in the air, and I feel a surge of emotions welling within me. The significance of this moment, surrounded by the Battle Hawks family and the town that has become our home, is immeasurable.
The crowd”s cheers meld into a unified chant, ”Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!”
My heart pounds, and I can”t contain the smile that spreads across my face. ”Yes!” I scream, the word echoing through the rink.
Drake”s eyes light up, and he slips the ring onto my finger. The cheers of the crowd reach a deafening roar as he rises, and I throw my arms around him. The cold of the ice contrasts with the warmth of the moment as our lips meet in a passionate kiss.
The arena erupts in applause, a symphony of joy and celebration. The Battle Hawks players join us on the ice, congratulating us with smiles and cheers. The magnitude of the love and support surrounding us is overwhelming.
“Were you guys all in on this?” I ask Chase and Callie who are beaming back at us when we make it to the bench.
“Why do you think I told you I wasn’t taking no for an answer,” she shrugs as she hugs me tightly.
“I had no idea,” I giggle.
Drake’s phone starts vibrating, he looks down at it and then flashes it at me before walking away.
The league president.
Ten minutes later, he touches me on the shoulder and gestures for me to follow him.
“Loughlin was arrested just now.”
“What are the charges?”
“She said there were numerous, but the biggest being attempted murder.”
“What?”
“They found proof that he drugged Zane and then put him in the truck to drive home knowing he was impaired.”
“Oh my goodness,” I breathe.
“He’s not coming back around.”
“Wow.”
***
The next day, as I leave to go to the rink to work with Lily, Kade is standing outside of his car in the parking lot.
“Kade?” I ask, gripping the handrail of the stairs I’m going down.
What’s he doing here?
This can’t be good.
He holds his hands out and smiles softly.
“I only need about five minutes of your time.”
“I don’t think …”
“I’m assuming you know who I really am with that response,” he blows out a breath. “I heard you and Drake got engaged again on the ice.”
“Yes. Why are you here?”
“I’m not who I said I was and I need to tell you that.”
“I know you’re not.”
“My grandpa forced me to do all the things I did. I’ll be honest though, I was attracted to you the second I met you. I … none of that was fake. I understand that it doesn’t matter. However, I have done a lot of shitty things in my life and I no longer want to be that man. My grandpa was arrested last night and … that could be me if I don’t change my ways. I want better for myself.”
“Okay. Then do better.”
“I’m sorry for lying to you and … trying to ruin your happiness.”
“Thank you. I need to go,” I say.
He exhales, nods, and then gets into his car. He drives off but as I walk to the rink I keep looking over my shoulder.
That seemed too easy.
I hope that he does do better.
Ten minutes later, I walk to Drake’s office to pop in and say hi before going to meet Lily. His door is open, but Zane is sitting in front of his desk. I stop and start to turn around but Drake calls me in.
“I was just about to call you. Zane wanted you to be here for this meeting.”
“Okay, what’s happening?”
Zane chuckles as he glances down at the ground before his dark eyes implore mine.
“The accident has made me realize a lot of things. One of them is that I need help to get sober. I haven’t been drinking, but I’m having a problem with pain pills … and I … I need help.”
“We offer programs for this,” Drake says.
“It’s really big that you’re doing this, you know?” I ask.
He nods. “I need help. I don’t have a support system. I need one.”
“You have an entire team behind you, you’re not alone.”
“I almost killed myself last night … I almost … I didn’t because … your niece knocked on my door. Callie had her run some food up to me and … they saved my life.”
Whoa.
“That’s … does Lily or Callie know?”
He shakes his head. “No. Lily told me that she looked up to me and hoped I felt better soon and that a lot of people loved me. She said sometimes we forget that.”
“Smart girl,” Drake smiles.
“I need help,” Zane repeats.
“I know of a really great place for you to go. Let me make some phone calls while you’re sitting here and then I’ll take you myself. It’s where I went to break my addiction. It’s where Hank went too,” Drake tells him as he picks up his phone.
I walk over to Zane and give him a hug.
“I’m proud of you. I’m also so glad that you’re still here today.”
I walk out of the office fighting back tears. I do a few deep inhales and exhales to clear it all out.
I’m grateful Zane felt comfortable enough to bring this to Drake. Things have been so crazy lately, but I’m glad that it seems we”re all on the right path.