84. Amelia
EIGHTY-FOUR
AMELIA
DECEMBER, THIS SEASON
GE
I feel like I’m going to puke.
Announcing the Olympic roster on a Monday is cruel.
Me
I have my fingers crossed for you, but you don’t need to worry, honey. You’re going to have a spot on the team, and I can’t wait to cheer for you.
GE
I’m crossing my fingers for you too, baby. Imagine us getting to spend time in Italy together? That would be amazing!!
Me
I’m not super hopeful for myself, but never say never!
GE
Pete’s tonight to either celebrate or commiserate?
Me
Can’t wait!
Lainey
It’s a big day in the NHL world! How are you feeling today, Amelia?
Me
Nervous. The likelihood of me making the Olympic coaching staff is doubtful at best, and I’m not trying to get my hopes up.
Sienna
No matter what the league says, you’re a winner in our books!
Me
Thanks, you all.
Lainey
If you don’t get to take the trip to Italy, the three of us should do something together during that break!
Me
That would be fun!
Sienna
We’re not going to have time to do something because she’s going to make the team, dammit.
Me
I appreciate your faith in me <3
Darcy
Morning! Do you have a chance to swing by my office before you head down to practice?
Nothing urgent! Just wanted to run a few things by you!
Me
Of course! I’m on my way to the arena now. Be up soon.
The coaching staff for the Olympic team is picked before the players are announced. I haven’t heard from anyone this morning, and my heart knows that means I won’t be making the trip to Italy.
Am I disappointed?
Sure.
There’s never been a woman on the sidelines for a men’s Olympic team, and I selfishly wanted to be the first.
My suspicions are confirmed when a text from Brody lands in my inbox as I head upstairs to meet Darcy. He was named the head coach for the team a few weeks ago, and I know what he’s going to say before I even open the message.
Brody Saunders
*Attachment: 1 image*
Wanted to share the coaching staff with you first before it’s posted publicly.
I also wanted to let you know I fought for you. You deserve a seat at the table, and I’m sorry I couldn’t give you one.
I chew on my bottom lip. A weird mix of feelings settle in my chest. I’m grateful he’s letting me know ahead of time, and I’m even more grateful he went to bat for me. But it still hits like a punch to the gut when I read the other names who will be representing our country overseas.
Me
No worries! There’s a lot of talent out there. I knew it would be a tough to snag a spot.
I have another shot four years from now.
I tuck my phone away and ride the elevator to the administrative offices. I say hello to the receptionist and wave to Simone, my personal assistant, and make a left down the hall in search of Darcy.
I find her in the first conference room with a group of people I’m not familiar with.
They’re all in business casual, wearing blazers and heels and button-ups while I’m in a pair of joggers and sneakers.
I brush my hand over my shirt in an attempt to wipe the crumbs from the bagel I ate in my car off my jacket, but I’m not sure it helps.
“Amelia.” Darcy greets me with a warm smile and gestures me inside. “Come on in and take a seat.”
I return her smile and glance around the room. The faces staring back at me are mildly familiar, and when my gaze slides to the brunette at the head of the table, I recognize that it’s Brenda Lovesmith, the Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations for the PWHL.
We must be doing a partnership with the Crush, the new women’s expansion team in town, and I take a seat in the chair to Darcy’s right.
“Morning, everyone,” I say, and they all murmur back a greeting.
“Thanks for taking the time to meet with us. Today is a big day for Olympic announcements, and it’ll be shared soon that Thorne is representing the United States over in Italy,” Darcy says, and I beam.
“Amazing news, and I’m not surprised. His experience will lend itself to being comfortable on such a large stage.” I rest my elbow on the table, glad for the segue to be curious about other roster announcements. “Anyone else from Baltimore?”
“No, but DC landed a few players, of course. Hudson Hayes and Grant Everett are representing the U.S., while Ethan Richardson is taking a spot for Canada.” She taps her phone and reads from a list. “LA also has two guys on the roster.”
My heart swells in my chest.
Grant made the team.
He’s gone from a rookie on the fourth line who wasn’t sure about his future in the league to an Olympic athlete in only a few years. I’ve seen how hard he works to perfect his craft. I know how much he wanted this, and I’m so happy for him, I could burst.
I can’t wait to get home and tell him how proud I am.
“I was holding out hope Emmy might make the roster,” I say, and Darcy hums in agreement.
“So was I, but hope is not lost.” She gestures to the people around us. “These are the folks in charge of putting the women’s team together, and they’re designating Emmy as their captain.”
“Oh my god.” I cover my mouth with both hands. “That’s incredible. She’s going to be ecstatic.”
“We’re excited too,” Brenda says. “The response to women’s hockey has reached an all-time high, and we’re grateful for the impact you both are having on the sport. We’re also excited to extend an invitation to you.”
“To me? For what?” I blink. “I haven’t picked up a stick in years.”
“We want you to be the head coach of the women’s team. We have a robust roster of athletes ranging from collegiate to current PWHL players, and we can’t think of a better person to lead them to a gold medal.”
“Y-you want me to coach the women’s Olympic team?” I repeat, wanting to make sure I heard her correctly. I don’t think I did because my ears are ringing. My elbow slips off the table, and I have to be missing a big piece of information. “But I—you… there’s… are you positive you want me?”
“Yes.” Brenda smiles. “And we don’t just want you. We want you to bring us home the gold medal.”
“Fuck,” I mumble. My cheeks burn when I realize what I’ve said, and I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “I’m so sorry. I’m just… this was the last thing I was expecting when I walked in here. Can you—who else are you… how many… I’m still trying to wrap my head around what’s going on.”
“There will be sixteen coaches,” the man to Brenda’s right chimes in. “With positions ranging from Team Physician to Player Development Coach. We’ve put together the brightest and most elite names in the sport to give us the best shot to win on a global stage.”
“And that includes you,” Brenda says.
“This is the biggest moment in my career, and I don’t know if I want to cry or throw up.” I swallow my emotions down. Now is not the time to show vulnerability. “Yes. Yes, I would love to join the women’s team.”
I really think I’m about to throw up.
This is quite literally the top of the coaching pyramid. It doesn’t get much bigger than this, and I have to pinch the inside of my wrist—the soft spot where my tattoo sits—to make sure I’m not hallucinating.
“Great answer,” Brenda says. “We know you’ve been working with men—and Emmy—this season, but we’re confident your coaching style will translate to the women’s game play without any bumps in the road.
Our plan was to send everything over to your agent later today after the official announcement is made, and we’ll go from there as far as travel, practices, and introducing you to the players you’ll be working with. ”
“Thank you so much for this opportunity. It’s been a long eight years since the last time the women brought home a gold medal from the Games, and I’m honored for the chance to make it happen this year.” I grin at the room. “I can’t wait to get to work.”
Formalities are exchanged. I hand over my agent’s contact information, and Darcy and I have a small celebration when the members from the PWHL leave.
Focusing during practice is almost impossible, and by the time I finish my day, I’m high from the rush of excitement I’ve been riding since this morning.
I call Lainey and Sienna in the car to tell them the good news. I follow it up with a call to my dad, and when the official announcement gets shared to ESPN, I screenshot the headline so I can remember this day forever.
By the time I get home, I’m oscillating between crying and screaming. Grant is in the kitchen, and when he sees me, he lights up.
“I made the team,” he says in a rush of words, sweeping me off my feet and spinning me around.
“I didn’t think I’d land a roster spot, but Coach pulled me aside before practice and presented me with a jersey and everything.
I got choked up.” Grant sets me down, laughing as he fixes my sweatshirt.
“Me. Representing the U.S. men’s hockey team.
I had a Miracle poster on my wall as a kid growing up, and I—what’s wrong? ”
His eyebrows pinch together. He cups my cheeks, turning my head from side to side. His eyes rake over me, and his smile melts to a frown.
“What?” I ask, in a daze.
“Are you okay? You’re pale, and your pupils are huge,” he says.
“I’m still in a state of shock.” I pause, and that’s when I burst into tears. “I’m the head coach for the women’s Olympic team.”
“Holy shit. Are you—Lia. Are you serious? When did—how—oh my fucking god.” He sweeps me in his arms again.
Grant holds me so tight, I can’t breathe.
“Why the fuck did you let me go on about my roster spot when you were waiting to tell me you’re the head fucking coach of an Olympic team?
How did this happen? I need all the details. ”
“Brody texted me this morning and let me know I wasn’t going to be on the men’s staff, and it bummed me out.
Darcy let me know she needed to see me before practice started, and when I got to the conference room, members of the PWHL executive board were there.
” My hands shake as I tell the story. How long is it going to take me to wake up from this dream?
“They told me they were extending me an invitation to be the head coach on the women’s side, and I accepted it. ”
“Fuck. Hell. Oh my god.” Grant is laughing and crying at the same time.
His tears track down his cheeks, and I try to wipe them away for him.
“I’m just… look at what you’re doing, baby.
The world you’re building. The dreams you’re chasing.
The barriers you’re not just breaking, but fucking shattering,” he says, the words flying out of him a mile a minute.
I feel his support for me down in my soul.
“We’ll get to be there together. How cool is that? ”
“It’s the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me. We’ll get a chance to play for a gold medal at the Olympics. How many people can say that?”
“Not many, but we can. God. I can’t believe we get to be on this journey together.”
“Me either. The women’s roster is stacked, Grant. Emmy was named the captain, and I’ve never seen a more talented group of athletes playing for the same team.”
“And they’re going to be led by the most talented woman in the sport. Come here.” He wraps me in another hug. I burrow into his chest, wanting to stay in this moment of happiness forever. “I love you. I love you so fucking much, Lia, and I’m so proud of you.”
“I love you too, and I’m sorry for stealing your thunder about your own announcement.
I’m so proud of you too, honey. You’ve worked so hard to carve out a spot for yourself on the Stars and in the league, and I’m so glad your talent is being recognized by your peers.
You’re going to have the best time, and I can’t wait to be in the crowd to watch you win. ”
“Don’t you dare apologize. My thunder is your thunder.” Grant kisses me soft and slow. My mind drifts to us walking next to each other in the Opening Ceremony. “Come on. We need to celebrate.”
His idea of celebrating is making boxed brownies and sitting on the kitchen counter while we talk about what February in Italy looks like.
By the time we head to bed, my cheeks hurt from smiling.
My stomach hurts from laughing, and I can’t stop thinking about how we’re getting to experience this milestone together.