34. Logan
THIRTY-FOUR
LOGAN
The Midwestern Sectional competition comes quick.
Savannah and I, well, mostly Savannah, prepared incessantly.
We skate almost every day. I’ve had to force her to take rest days, which sometimes involved me turning off her alarm once she was already asleep so she wouldn’t know.
I’m not proud of that, but she was going to run herself into the ground without my interference.
Plus, there’s no point in her practicing without me, and I sure as hell am not skating every single day when it’s not necessary. That’s how you burn out. I’ve been there and I never want to do it again.
We got great feedback from the judges in Nebraska but still have a few things we could work on. Which we did.
All that hard work is what led us to this podium with silver medals around our necks at the Midwestern Sectional in Michigan.
It’s amazing what we’ve managed to accomplish in such a short time, and it’s only a small preview of what’s to come.
My arm is tight around Savannah’s waist. I’ve never seen her smile so wide as she waves at my mom, her parents, and Kelsey, who all came to Michigan to support us.
Once we’re released from the podium, we skate off the ice and are ushered straight into interviews.
Interviews certainly aren’t my favorite part of the job, but I manage.
Savannah, however, loathes interviews, so I’ve decided to make this as painless as possible for her by doing most of the talking.
The first interviewer congratulates us and asks how it’s going skating together.
“It’s easy to skate with someone like Savannah. She’s very skilled. We worked really hard to get here.”
“I see that. It’s incredible how quickly you two came together on the ice,” the interviewer states.
I nod. “Yes. We had no time to waste. Savannah and I have big dreams. We’re both willing to put in the work to make that happen.
” She squeezes my hand at that answer. She’s thanked me over and over again the past few weeks.
I keep telling her she doesn’t need to thank me.
I’d do anything for her. All she has to do is say “jump,” and I’ll ask “how high.” No questions asked.
“You two have such great chemistry on the ice. Did you know each other before this partnership?”
“No. We’d met in passing at events like this.
” Like me accidentally breaking her ankle.
“But we didn’t really know each other. I was her coach for a little bit, but our chemistry came naturally.
It’s an honor to skate with Savannah. She’s the love of my life, and I plan on marrying her the second she agrees to it. ”
Savannah’s body goes rigid at my confession. Even the interviewer seems stunned. We still haven’t made our relationship public, and I hate that. I want people to know that I’m hers and she’s mine. We’re a team in everything we do, and we worked hard to get to this point in our relationship.
“Oh, I didn’t realize you two were together together.”
I squeeze Savannah’s hand and hear her tiny exhale. “We’re very much together.”
“Is that why Max exited the partnership?”
“We won’t be discussing Max,” I answer quickly. “He had his reasons for making that tough decision, and we’re respecting that.”
A woman next to us gestures for us to wrap up the interview.
“Thank you for your time today, and congratulations on second place.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as we’re out of earshot, Savannah whispers, “What was that about?”
“Which part?”
“Um, all of it? The love of your life? The marriage comment?”
I shrug. “It’s all true.”
“You—you want to marry me?”
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s shocked. We haven’t talked about next steps or marriage at all because I didn’t want to scare her off. But just because we haven’t talked about it, it doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about it. A lot.
“I know we haven’t been together long, Savannah, but I don’t need time to know that you’re it for me. I know I will never love another person the way I love you. I want to marry you as soon as you let me.”
“What if I never let you?”
I shrug, knowing that these are the kinds of questions she asks when she’s trying to test me. “You will. I think you’ll find that I’m very convincing.”
She laughs. “Yeah, I know.”
“So, one day you think you might want to become Mrs. Sokolov?”
“One day.”
I’ll take that answer. I grab her hand and move us to the next interview, then the next.
Once we’re done talking to everyone, I grab her face and plant a huge kiss on her, simply reiterating the fact that we’re together.
I hear several camera clicks, so I know this picture will be circulating soon.
Tati might be upset that I didn’t talk to her first about the big reveal, but I’m tired of hiding it.
If anything, it’ll just get us more publicity and get our names in the mouths of the Team USA representatives.
Hopefully, after this performance, we’re already on their radar.
We walk back to the changing rooms to get ready because we’re having dinner with our families after this.
She hands me her bag because she knows I’m going to take it anyway, and we walk toward the exit, where we know everyone is waiting for us.
Savannah’s phone lights up, and I can see that it’s a single text from Max saying “Congratulations.”
“Are you going to respond?” I ask even though it’s none of my business.
She opens the text thread and shows me that she hasn’t responded to any of his texts since his abrupt resignation. He’s apologized and tried to explain himself again. He’s even tried to make her laugh by sending funny memes with no explanation, but she’s left him on read every single time.
I feel for the guy. While I don’t agree with the way he handled things, his heart was broken, so I guess I kind of understand.
Savannah sighs. “I don’t know. I mean, he was my best friend for years, and now he’s just gone. He left me.”
I nod. “Yeah.”
“But I do miss him. I’d like to be his friend again. One day maybe. I just don’t think I’m ready for that yet.”
“That’s understandable.” I’d support her decision no matter what, but I’m certainly relieved that she’s leaning toward forgiveness. Holding grudges is not for the weak.
Her thumb hovers above the keypad for a moment before she types a quick “thank you.” She hesitates before she presses send, but she eventually does it.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder. “I’m proud of you.”
“I’m proud of us ,” she says.
“Yeah, I’m proud of us, too.”
“Let’s go get food. I’m starving!”
Dinner starts with hugs from everyone. Over the last few weeks, the DuPont family has really accepted me as one of their own.
I text with Greg every other day at this point.
It started with him checking in on Savannah, but now he checks in on me and even tells me about his day.
Savannah offered to tell him to stop, but I waved her off.
Truth is, I kind of like it. I like feeling included.
I like feeling like her dad might actually want to talk to me.
After years of never talking to my own dad, it’s nice to have a father figure in my life, even if it isn’t my own.
“I just want to say how proud I am of you two,” my mom says after everyone has finished eating. “You’ve both gone through so much and still managed to come out on top.”
“Second from the top,” Savannah adds with a smile.
“That’s still the top,” Greg adds with a pointed look from across the table.
“It is still the top,” my mom agrees. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m a big believer in fate.
While Logan and Savannah may not have met under the best circumstances, they’ve pushed through and not only found a wonderful partnership but also a wonderful relationship.
I feel like it was destined to be this way.
The universe wanted the two of you together, and now you’re here.
On to bigger and better things. So, cheers to you for a gold medal-winning future and long-lasting relationship filled with love and respect. ”
I squeeze Savannah’s thigh as we both raise our glasses.
“Cheers!” everyone at the table says in unison.
We all drink, and then I plant a big kiss on Savannah. She’s not a huge fan of PDA, but she’s at just the right levels of tipsy and elation from our win that she doesn’t seem to care. I feel her smile against my lips.
“I love you, Savannah.”
“I love you too, Logan.”
I reluctantly pull away and address the table. “Well, I have some other news too.”
Savannah’s brows pull together in confusion. I’ve been dying to tell her this, but I had to wait for the right moment. They approached me while I was waiting for Savannah by the changing room.
“After the competition, I spoke with a few of the Team USA reps.”
“What?”
“They said we’ll be receiving a formal invite soon, but they definitely want us as part of the team.”
Savannah’s jaw drops, and our families gasp around us.
“So, what do you say, Savannah? Wanna go to the Olympics with me?”
A slow smile spreads across her lips. “I mean, I guess I could pencil you in.”
I chuckle. “Good.”
I lean over and kiss her. “You did it, baby.”
“We did it. Thank you for not letting me fall.”