Epilogue #3
A hush falls over the stands, and the players move to their positions. I clear my throat, roll my shoulders back, and turn the mic on.
“Hello, everyone!” My voice rings out through the rink, much more stable than I feel. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for attending this event. All proceeds will go to the local Ivywood nursing home.”
Immediately, a loud applause breaks out.
It fills my chest, warming every part of me, but before I continue, I let the crowd settle.
“Now, it’s no secret my mom had dementia and passed away recently,” I say, forcing the words out as my voice becomes softer.
“However, she received the best care possible at the local nursing home. So, if you can spare any amount, please show your support by dropping it into the donation buckets, or you can purchase some donuts at the stand.”
The crowd responds louder this time, more heartfelt. My throat tightens, but I push through.
“The ice hockey team will be dancing first,” I add with a grin, “and then the figure skaters.”
Whistles ripple through the stands when I mention the last part.
“And the song we’re dancing to . . .” I pause, surveying the crowd until my eyes find my girl, already watching me as if I were the only man in the rink. “It’s for a very special girl seated out there.”
A deep rosy blush appears on her cheeks, and it’s just adorable. I blow her a kiss, and she laughs, covering her face for a split second before looking at me through her fingers.
“And, as an added bonus, my mom loved the artist, so without further ado . . .”
I flick the mic off, toss it carefully to the side, and skate into position. The lights cut out, and we are surrounded by darkness; then, the ice shines with white light beneath our skates. I take one last look at Fawn — she’s leaning forward, her face filled with eager anticipation.
As soon as the beat to Michael Jackson’s ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ kicks in, the crowd goes wild.
We carry out the dance exactly as we practiced. When the first lyrics come through, I point straight at Fawn, skating past the boards with a grin I don’t even try to hide. She blows me a kiss in return, and my heart bursts wide open.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Cal doing the same to Delilah, her hand flying to her mouth as she cheers.
Mouthing the lyrics, I skate into my signature moonwalk, the one I know Fawn loves. My blades glide backward, as if they had a will of their own. I can hear a few older women whistling loudly. Three months ago, I would have loved it, but not now; all that matters is her. My girl.
Skimming along the edge, I notice Torin; he’s completely going for dramatic poses, arms outstretched and hips swaying. The kids in the front row are going nuts, pointing and laughing and screaming in delight, as if he’s the coolest guy in the world. And honestly? He probably is.
The team is totally feeding off the energy, the noise, the excitement. We’re not just skating anymore; it feels fun and freeing. It’s what my mom would’ve liked to see: me smiling, surrounded by people who care, doing some good for the community.
Once the final beat plays, I spin and throw a wink straight at Fawn. She shakes her head, laughing like she can’t believe me, but her eyes are soft, proud, full.
With that, I tip my chin, look up to the rafters, and whisper, “I gave it everything I had, Mom. I love you.”
Somehow, I manage to hold back my tears as I blow a kiss to heaven, hoping she’ll get it.
The moment vanishes when the whole team huddles around me, their arms all over the place, all out of breath and laughing. Everyone is still hyped; it’s a perfect mess, the kind of thing you don’t know you’ve been missing until it’s over.
Torin skates over, hands the mic back to me, and says, “You should be so proud of yourself.” His voice thick even in the absurd wolf costume as he pulls me into a hug. My face pushes into the fake fur, but I don’t care. I hold on to him for a little bit longer than I should.
The thing is — yeah, he’s proud of me. I can hear it, feel it, but I’ve never been prouder of him and my team.
I know it’s my cue to speak to the crowd when Torin gives me a gentle shove forward.
“Whew, wasn’t that some show? I don’t know about you, but I’m out of breath!” I say into the mic, and everyone bursts out laughing. “Please give a massive cheer to the team for dancing so well. They’ve made me and Ivywood proud.”
The applause is deafening as the team joins in, grinning like fools as they bump shoulders and cheer. I want to say more than that. I want to thank everyone properly. I want to say my mom’s name, but my throat burns, and I’m barely holding myself together out here on the ice.
“The figure skaters will be starting shortly,” I manage. “So please, stay in your seats. I hope you enjoy.”
And then I’m off, skating as fast as I can, the cold air biting at my face, Torin’s presence steady just behind me like a shadow I don’t mind having. The second my skates hit the rubber mat, Fawn is there.
She wraps her arms around me, and I pull her in just as tight, pressing my face into her hair. Her coconut scent grounds me instantly, holding me together when I feel like I might shatter.
“Dylan, that was something,” she whispers against my ear. “I know you made your mom proud.”
That’s it. That’s the thing that undoes me. I lace my fingers with hers and lead her down a quiet corridor, away from the noise and crowd. Torin follows behind us, still tramping around in his silly mascot costume.
Fawn squints at him, brows knitting together.
“Hello, baby,” Torin says in a deep, exaggerated voice.
Her eyes widen. “Oh my God! Torin! That was you dancing the whole time? I should have known.”
Quickly, he glances over his shoulder to see if any kids are in the area, and then he takes off the wolf head. Even though sweat drips down his brow, his hair plastered to his face, he still looks hot.
She smirks and throws her arms around his neck.
“Careful, baby. I’m all sweaty,” he says with a grin. “Don’t want you getting wet again.”
“I don’t care,” she coos, leaning up to press a quick kiss to Torin’s lips anyway. “Honestly . . . you both did incredible.”
The tension finally eases from my shoulders. “Thank you, princess. Hopefully, we’ve raised some decent money.”
“You totally have,” she says immediately. “And even if it isn’t a lot, it’s still something. Every cent counts.”
She’s right. Even if we only raised seventy bucks, it’s still seventy dollars more than they had before. Seventy dollars that might go toward better care, better food, better days for people who need it. For people like my mom, who once did.
Fawn turns then and lightly taps my arm, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Oh, and by the way . . . thanks for not playing Shakira.”
I know she’s my girlfriend now and everything, but her hatred for Shakira will have to change.
I’ll make her a lover in no time.
I snort before playfully digging my fingers into her sides. “There’s always time, princess.”
“Dylan!” she squeals, a laugh bursting out of her as she tries to turn away from me. “Stop!”
Her nostrils flare, making me laugh as I finally let her go, pulling her back into me instead.
I wrap my arms around her, and I rest my forehead against hers for a second.
“Thank you, Fawn,” I say quietly, the words heavy.
“For being my biggest supporter. I couldn’t have done this without you.
” I lean in and press my lips to hers slowly; the kiss is full of gratitude, relief, and love.
When I pull back, she’s smiling, eyes a little glassy.
“You’ve done the same for me,” she murmurs. “Both of you have. When I doubted myself and nearly gave up on my writing, you were there, encouraging and believing in me even when I couldn’t bring myself to.”
Torin steps closer, resting a hand on her back, the three of us in our own little bubble. “Isn’t it crazy,” he says, shaking his head like he’s trying to understand it himself, “that everything in our lives led us to this point. To this point in time. To the three of us.”
Fawn smiles, soft and a little distant, like she is cataloging a thousand thoughts at once. She turns the necklace we gave her between her fingers. “All I know is that I wouldn’t trade my life right now, not for anything.”
“Same,” I say, the word slipping out easily and truthfully.
For the first time since Mom passed away, I don’t feel like I’m drowning in a hole of pain.
We lean in without a thought for a tight, slightly messy hug. My eyes flutter shut, and I breathe it in, letting the quiet hold us.
Three months ago, I believed I’d already found the best life had to offer, but I was wrong. I hadn’t learned what true love really means: being shattered and made whole again — because of her.
Torin’s the first one to take a step back, clapping his hands in that way he does when he’s ready to take control.
“Right,” he says, grinning. “First, I’m ditching this costume.
Then, we’ll grab Delilah and Cal, get some donuts and watch the figure skaters from the office. Best seats in the house and all.”
He takes Fawn’s hand and begins to lead her away, her giggles echoing down the corridor. I follow behind, smiling until a thought strikes me with the force of a puck to the ribs.
“Wait,” I blurt, stopping dead. “What did you mean when you said you didn’t want her wet again?”
They both freeze and laugh as Fawn shoots me an innocent smile over her shoulder.
Those amber eyes, fuck. They pull me in deep, like they always do. I could get lost in them for eternity. But what makes my chest ache in the best way is knowing I’ll wake up to them — every morning, for the rest of my life.
****
Fawn — One year later
The air is filled with the aroma of aged paper, books, and a rich, musty scent that can only be found in a bookstore. I’m standing in Ivywood’s local bookstore, at my first signing event.