Epilogue #2
I guess there’s no point in going to the post-game party yet since none of the team will be there, says Rosie.
We already planned a celebration back at Monarch.
The more superstitious members of the team thought this was a bad idea, but the playoffs were tough and we wanted to do something afterwards.
Obviously, it will be a much better party now.
Now everyone is talking about what they’re doing next year, the favourite subject of seniors. Caroline complains that she has no plans and no job prospects.
Mats isn’t getting rid of me that easily, jokes Cleo. She’s a senior while Mats is a junior. I’ll be here doing Coach Burton’s internship program to see if I could become a coach.
Oh, that’s so perfect for you, exclaims Andy.
Connor and I are moving to Minnie, Rosie says. He’s getting a job with an accounting firm, and I’ll search for something in library science.
That’s a shock. It’s hard to imagine the gigantic, superstitious, music-loving goalie as an accountant.
Great, I’ll get to see you guys more often, says Andy. Ugh, I was shocked when Jack said he was thinking of transferring schools just to be closer to me.
Really? That would be bad news for next year’s team, Rosie says.
Andy nods. And I know how much he loves the Mustangs. Good thing that Viktor talked some sense into him.
She smiles at me as if I had a part in that discussion. All Viktor did was explain that he left his team because it was a toxic situation, and that Coach Norman is a great coach.
Jack misses you so much when you’re not here. All he wants to do is talk about you, I tell Andy.
Rosie agrees. Poor guy. So what will you do instead?
Jack helped me find a used car, which is way faster than the bus. That way I can come here more often, even if it’s only for one night.
I guess you don’t have to worry about what you’re doing next year, Rosie says to me.
I’ll miss all of you so much, I say sincerely.
Hey, I’m still going to be here, protests Cleo.
I smile at her, but I already have plans to leave Monarch.
If Viktor ends up in California or Europe, there’s no way I want to live that far apart.
We’ve already discussed our future. Once Viktor knows where he’s going to be playing hockey, I’m going to transfer to a college nearby.
And while my parents may not be pleased, it’s better than dropping out the way my mother did.
Doing crazy things for love is apparently hereditary.
Besides, it’s all the moving I did during my childhood made me flexible. Home is about people not places.
However, I’m not sharing my plans yet. Some of my friends—especially the ones named Annie—will not approve.
But it will all be more palatable once I’m accepted at a good school with a great history program.
I don’t know how my future with Viktor will turn out, but I want to give our love the best chance. And he’s grateful for that.
My college dreams have evolved as I’ve grown. There’s no point in setting arbitrary goals. Some of my best experiences are ones I didn’t even know existed—like watching my hockey team win a championship.
Evie, do you need a ride to the party?
I turn to see Viktor’s mom and dad hovering in the row behind us, and jump up to talk to them.
Thank you, but I’ll take the bus with my friends. Wasn’t Viktor’s goal amazing?
His mom, Nat, nods enthusiastically. When he scored, I screamed so loudly that Alex claims I damaged his hearing.
His dad nods. He’s the solid, sarcastic partner while Nat is lively and charming. I enjoy finding bits of Viktor in all his family members.
We all look towards the ice where Marko and Viktor have their arms slung around each other.
Nat sighs in loud satisfaction. My whole family together. Then she puts an arm around me. And finally, Vitya has a nice girlfriend. I’ve waited sooo long for this.
I met Viktor’s family at a restaurant last night, and they’re so nice.
They’re all tall and well-built, so I can see where Viktor gets his size from.
Apparently they haven’t met anyone that Viktor has dated since he was fifteen, so they were excited to meet me.
We were starting to worry, Marko quipped.
The best part was at the end of the evening when Nat cupped my face in her hands and declared that she’s never seen Vitya so happy and it must be due to me. Of course, they have a nickname for him, like everyone in eastern Europe. I’ll really be one of the family when I get my own.
We head to the party venue back at Monarch.
It’s an event for family and friends only, but I’m sure that the following week will see many more celebrations for the whole college.
Naturally, we have to wait since the guys are probably still partying in the dressing room.
But everyone here is buzzing, and I get a chance to catch up with Mia who is still dating the quiet and steady D.J.
I hope they get here soon, says Mia, and magically her words conjure a commotion at the door.
The team all enters together in a loud, happy mass.
I see Viktor, handsome and charismatic and glowing with victory.
His arrival with a crowd reminds me of that long-ago frat party, when the sight of him made me so nervous.
Of course, now I feel nothing but joy when I see his face, especially since he looks so happy. He spots me and strides over.
Evie. He picks me up and whirls me around. His touch is electric, as always.
Congratulations, champion.
And when he kisses me, I wonder how all this happiness can be real life.
THE END