Chapter 22
My gold medal bounces with every step I take inside the Curling Center. I know it technically weighs over a pound but it doesn’t feel heavy at all hanging around my neck.
I’m not sure there will ever come a day that I will want to take it off. It’s been eight years since Team USA last won gold in women’s hockey, so I think wearing it for eight years straight is totally appropriate.
“Excuse me, sorry,” I repeat over and over as I inch my way in front of everyone, attempting to get to my seat.
Finally, I find my spot next to my brother, who’s been here for hours at this point. He insisted on being here when Luke and his team arrived. “Moral support” he called it. It’s kind of cute how nervous he is for Luke.
“Your boyfriend looks pissed.”
I roll my eyes at the term of endearment my brother has conveniently been using in lieu of his best friend’s actual name ever since we told him about our relationship.
“You know he has a name, right? You can still call him Luke.”
My eyes finally find the man we’re talking about and I laugh because he really does look pissed. I know better, though. He’s just completely locked in and ready for their gold medal match against, you guessed it, Canada.
We’re all hoping for the same result as my last game against our rivals, but Canada’s curling team is freaking good this year.
They’re undefeated so far at these Olympic Games.
Luke’s team only lost one match and it was by one point.
It’s going to be an epic battle for gold, I can feel it in my bones.
“But it’s so fun getting under your skin. It’s even more fun when I refer to you as my ‘baby sister’ with Luke.”
I wind up and smack Connor in the chest with the back of my hand.
“Grow up, brother.”
Connor laughs, but our sibling bickering is interrupted by the announcer’s voice introducing the two teams competing today for the gold medal.
Connor and I hoot and holler as Team USA is announced. He doesn’t look at us, but I swear I see the corner of Luke’s lips twitch.
I was right when I said this match would be a barn burner. It’s tied 6–6 in the final end and Luke is getting ready to throw the last rock.
I’m literally sitting on the edge of my seat, nibbling on my fingernails as anxiety consumes me.
Connor grabs my hand, pulling it away from my mouth.
“Breathe, Charlotte. Luke’s got this. He’s been dialed in all day.”
Easy for him to say. I’m sitting here with my gold medal around my neck and want more than anything for Luke to know what this feels like. Especially after everything that’s happened in his life—losing his sister, giving up hockey to follow this dream. He deserves this. He deserves everything.
Brendan and him are discussing something down at ice level. We’re too far to make out any of their words but Luke finally nods his head then takes his place at the hack.
The arena is dead silent. So much on the line.
As of right now, Canada is closest to the button, but by mere inches.
If Luke can connect with Team USA’s other stone that’s just in front of Canada’s, and hit it at exactly the right angle, it can push Canada’s away from the button.
If he hits it too hard, Team USA’s rock could potentially slide out of play as well.
It’s an intricate throw, but if anyone can do it, it’s Luke.
Luke pushes off the hack, rock in hand, and I hold my breath. He releases the stone and I grip Connor’s hand with all my might.
“Hard!” Luke shouts, indicating he wants Wyatt and Zack to sweep faster.
The two of them work in tandem, moving their brooms back and forth in front of the stone.
“Whoa!” Luke and Brendan yell at the same time, causing Wyatt and Zack to halt their sweeping.
We all watch in anticipation as Luke’s stone connects with Canada’s. Their rock slides to the outside of the house in slow motion, while Luke’s stone stops dead in its tracks, directly on top of the button.
I leap out of my seat, hands raised in the air, screaming at the top of my lungs.
“Let’s fucking go!”
Turning, I find Connor on his feet, and we throw our arms around each other, bouncing up and down in excitement.
Because I’m apparently an emotional mess, tears spill down my cheeks. When I finally pull away from my brother, I see a lone tear trickling down his cheek as well.
Wiping my face with my hand, I laugh. “God, since when do us Smiths cry so much?”
Connor laughs and wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side.
“Since my two favorite people just won gold at the fucking Olympics. Give me a break would you?”
I laugh and give him a side hug. He rests his chin on top of my head as we watch Luke celebrate with his teammates.
Luke pulls away from the group hug first and immediately turns to find me.
Our eyes connect and I raise my fist in the air in celebration. Luke raises both of his in response, with the biggest smile on his face.
I’ve never been to a gold medal curling match, so I’m not sure if celebrating down with them on the ice sheets is allowed.
Bouncing on my feet, I wait in anticipation as the announcer invites Switzerland to join them for the medal ceremony.
Team Canada and Team Switzerland are awarded their medals, then it’s time for Team USA.
My screams are deafening as they announce Luke’s name over the speakers.
I’m not sure he could hear me, but after the medal is placed around his neck he turns and winks at me before joining his teammates on the podium where they wait for the national anthem to begin.
At the conclusion of the anthem, they grab each other’s hands and raise them in the air together.
More tears fall as I turn to look at my brother, who still has his arm gently wrapped around me.
“Think we’re allowed to go down there now?”
He looks down at me, but just as he’s about to speak, he’s interrupted by something.
With his other hand, he holds up a finger, and reaches into his pocket.
When he pulls out the phone, he looks down, frantically pushing the side buttons as he tries to silence the call.
His screen turns black but not before I see the words written at the top.
“My Wife.”
What. The. Fuck.
Pushing away from him, I look up at his face to see panic written all over it.
“Something you want to tell me, Connor?”