Chapter 37 Tate
thirty-seven
Tate
It took everything in me not to run into Fletcher’s arms and kiss him.
This win is something we’ve been talking about since we came to Rockford, and every year, they worked their asses off but fell short.
Not this year. We all went into the season knowing something was different.
I’m not sure if any of us have figured out what changed between sophomore year and this year, but I’m glad it did.
“I never doubted you guys.” Brinley grins, throwing an onion ring into her mouth. “I knew it from the first period that the championship was going to be yours.”
“You literally leaned over to me during the intermission and said it was good while it lasted.” The words roll off Alex’s lips, and Brinley’s eyes dart to him.
“That was not something you were supposed to share with everyone,” she whispers. “Alex is lying, I never lost faith.”
Alex wraps his arm around Brinley and kisses the side of her head. “She’s right; my girlfriend never lost faith in you guys. In fact, she told me you could be losing by five goals and would still find a way to win the game.”
I don’t think any of us were surprised when Brinley finally admitted she was dating Alex during the semi-finals game a few days ago. Even if she felt like they were hiding it well, we all knew it was only a matter of time.
“Exactly.” Brinley perks up.
“You’ve learned well.” Declan lifts his beer and clinks it against Alex’s.
The whole crew isn’t out together tonight, but a good chunk of them.
Zeke is out celebrating with his parents because this is the first game his mom has gotten to watch in person in ages, and what a game to witness.
Brooks is out with Liv because if she can celebrate with just him and avoid the rest of us, that’s typically the route she’ll take.
Jax is here… but he’s not really here. He studies Brinley and Alex’s every movement. The way Alex’s hand rests on Brinley’s shoulder. Every time, Brinley pats Alex’s leg when she’s telling a story.
If I’m being honest, I’m surprised he even showed up tonight. Brinley and Jaxon have pretty much avoided each other since Alex came into the picture.
Actually, I guess it was before that.
But Brin decided to take a step back from Jax in an attempt to move on from her feelings for him, and it seems to be working.
She deserves this. After everything she’s been through this year between Jaxon and her parents, she deserves this happiness.
“How did it feel to get the winning goal?” Fletcher takes a swig of his beer, turning toward Jere, who’s celebrating with water since he can’t drink on his pain meds.
“My goal wouldn’t have happened without the exceptional players on the ice. From start to finish, every person played their fucking hearts out.”
“I can cheers to that.” Declan raises his glass. “What a season.”
“So, you guys are planning on back-to-back wins, right?” Ember rests her head on Declan’s shoulder. “Because I think it would be pretty cool to brag to everyone I know that my boyfriend and my brother were a part of a team that won back-to-back championships.”
“Obviously.” Cam grins. “I didn’t know a win could feel like that.”
“We wouldn’t have tonight’s win without Cam’s fantastic saves,” Fletcher begins. “I have no idea how you kept that puck from going in with ice in your face and a hockey player knocking you off your feet.”
“Yeah, that save was fucking insane.” Brin shakes her head. “I almost ripped Alex’s arm out of its socket when that play happened.”
“That’s true. My shoulder is still a bit sore.”
It still doesn’t feel real, and I wasn’t even on the ice tonight. Fletcher and I keep stealing glances at each other, and every time it happens, I think up a possible excuse that would allow both of us to ditch this celebration and have one of our own.
“I think we need a speech from our captain,” Jaxon suggests, causing me to come back to Earth. I don’t know what led to this, but all of a sudden, everyone starts tapping the table.
“Speech, speech, speech—”
Declan stands up, the chant slowly dying out.
“I don’t really know what to say. I feel like I gave a pretty good speech before the game, but Jaxon really likes to put me on the spot.
” He pats Jax on the back a little harder than necessary, causing Jax to laugh.
“I know not everyone is here right now, but I just want you to know that tonight’s win wouldn’t have happened without each and every one of you.
And I don’t just mean the guys I shared the ice with tonight. ”
Declan’s eyes travel around the table, taking in each of us.
“The win wouldn’t have been possible without my beautiful girlfriend, who’s been my inspiration to keep playing this game since the day our relationship started to change. It wouldn’t have been possible without my sister, who kept our team fed and supported this whole season.”
Brinley flips her hair over her shoulder, allowing her to have her moment.
“Tate, who was always there to support us and cheer us on. Even from afar. Every single person who supported us, not just this season but from the beginning. This win isn’t just for us; it’s for them. All of them. I love you guys.”
Fletcher sneakily grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze as we all lift our glasses to Declan’s speech.
This is my family.
It may not be the one I was born into, but it was the one I got to choose.
And the one who chose me.
Things changed quite quickly after the guys won their championship.
One day, we were celebrating their win, and then suddenly, everything came crashing down.
Zeke’s mom took a turn for the worse.
I don’t even know how he’s making it through this. Zeke dedicated his life to his mom’s health, ensuring she attended appointments and stayed up to date on her scans.
She was better. She was supposed to be better.
But now, all we can do is wait for her to pass.
I know it’s killing him. That there’s nothing he can do to save his mom from this. I don’t think he’s left the hospital since she got admitted. Not even to go home and shower.
“Hey.” I drop a hand on Avalon’s shoulder, causing her to wake up. “Is Zeke back with his mom right now?”
We didn’t know about Avalon until everything happened with Zeke’s mom nearly a week ago, but she quickly became a part of our group.
There are just some people you meet and know they’re going to be in your life for the long run. I felt the same way about Maia and Ember when I met the two of them at the beginning of the year. Seeing the way Avalon cares for Zeke, it was easy to know she’d be one of those people, too.
“Yeah.” Avalon stretches her arms above her head. “She’s been sleeping a lot the last couple of days, so whenever she’s awake, he tries to get in there, soak up whatever time they have left.”
My heart sinks.
Mrs. Harris has been so important to all of us. It’s crazy to think of a life without her around. She quickly became a mother to all of us in many ways. She was the kind of person who took any kid under their wing and treated everyone with kindness.
“I brought you all some food. It’s not as good as Brinley’s home-cooked meals, but hopefully, it will tide you over until dinner.”
“It’s perfect, Tate, thank you.” Avalon squeezes my hand and sets the bag of food in the chair next to her, and I take the other one.
We’ve all been taking turns bringing food to the hospital. Alex and Brinley are stopping by tonight for dinner.
She made sure to make something with mashed potatoes, Mrs. Harris’ favorite thing that Brin makes.
We came up with a schedule to ensure that someone could always come and bring food so Zeke wouldn’t forget to eat, and that way, Avalon wouldn’t have to leave Zeke by himself at any time.
We wanted to make sure he always had someone to support him through this.
The doors to the ICU open, and an exhausted Zeke walks out. His gaze is distant as his eyes meet mine.
“Hey.” His voice is shaky. “Lunch time already?”
“Yeah,” I force a smile. I don’t bother asking him how he’s doing; I already know. “Ember told me about the Chinese place near the hospital, so I picked up a bunch of stuff from there. It’s also something you can heat up later if you don’t finish it or—”
Zeke sinks into my arms. “Thank you, Tate. I honestly don’t know how I’d be getting through this without you guys.”
“We’ve got you, always. You know that. We love you, and we love your mom. Whatever we can do to help, just let us know.”
He rubs his hand against my back, a sad smile growing on his face. “Let’s see what you brought.”
He sits in the empty seat next to the food. He searches through it, occasionally pulling something out to show Avalon as if it’s the most exciting thing in the world.
I’m happy he has her.
He deserves to have a life outside of everything that’s going on. If there’s one thing I know about his mom—
She would want that for him.