Epilogue
SIERRA, TWO YEARS LATER
“Hey, bitch!”
I grin, turn to see Ella marching down the concrete steps of the arena, arms laden with snacks.
But I don’t flinch.
Because no drinks are flying my way.
I waddle—because my pregnant belly doesn’t leave much room for anything but a waddle—and snag some of the goodies from her, tucking drinks into cupholders, grabbing my favorite (a king-sized KitKat) and holding her popcorn as she settles into the seat next to me.
“Look at this,” she says, shoving her cell in my direction the moment my butt returns to the cushion.
I blink at the sudden brightness.
Then my eyes go wide at the headline.
Beleaguered Front Man of the Once Great Shattered Chords has Hit a New Low.
My eyes drift over the words, even though I’ve done my best to keep my distance over the last two years from any and all news of the band. They broke up about three months after I decided to stay in Tahoe—
Though it was less breakup and more kicking Perry to the curb when he decided to try to throw their manager under the bus.
And then their publicist.
And then the drummer.
And it continued—Perry turning on anyone close to him, dragging them through a shit-show of a media storm.
Until they reach their limit and cut him loose.
Meanwhile, I’ve been…happy.
Building a family.
A life.
And—I rub my belly when my baby girl kicks me—literally a family.
“He’s trying to rerecord the song,” Ella says, practically vibrating with fury next to me. “What a dick.”
I pass her back the phone. “He’s proven that time and again,” I remind her. “And…I’m okay.”
Really, I am.
About six months after I moved to Tahoe, something changed.
Maybe it was Perry’s meltdown or the band separating from him. Maybe it was just that people began to clue in.
But the song…
Well, it became less a melody constantly shitting on me and more…
Anthem.
A way for woman to talk about all the shit dumped on us—the men telling us to smile, promises broken, wages not being equal even though the jobs were the same. It became about standing up for ourselves, for channeling our inner “viper” and striking to protect ourselves if necessary.
And…
Now I’m not worried about Perry or drinks being lobbed my way or getting fired because assholes were showing up to confront me.
I’m focused on my life.
My future.
My—
Tap. Tap. Tap.
My love.
Who’s getting ready to bring home a Cup if he and the rest of the Sierra win tonight.
I wave and grin, love the gorgeous smile and kiss her blows me in return.
I do more waddling to make room for Nova.
I cheer and high-five and dance and laugh when Riggs tosses a puck over to Ella with something written on the back that makes her—the woman who is big and brash and freaking unstoppable—cheeks go bright red.
And…
I live my beautiful life, knowing that sometimes things get bumpy.
But there’s always a road ahead that’ll make for a smooth ride.
Thank you so much for reading the Sierra Hockey series!
I hope you love these stories as much as I loved writing them!