Chapter 20 — Carter #2
She spoke with donors like she had been born with a seating chart in one hand and quiet authority in the other.
She explained the fundraiser totals, volunteer coordination, and next steps with polished ease.
But she also laughed when Michael made dry comments, thanked Anne for asking about her classes, and nudged Carter’s foot under the table when he started tapping it before the speeches.
Carter forgot to be nervous for himself because he was too busy being proud of her.
Lena adjusted the microphone and looked out at the room.
“Good evening,” she began.
That made it matter more.
She thanked St. Mary’s, the donors, Ridgeview Athletics, the volunteers, and the team. She spoke about planning the fundraiser, the community turnout, and the way student-athletes and students had shown up together.
Then she said, “Fundraisers often get measured by totals, and we are proud of the total. But what I will remember most is watching people choose to care loudly. Students, families, athletes, donors, and children all in the same room, reminding each other that support can be practical, joyful, and deeply human.”
Private.
Then she looked back at the room.
“Thank you for being part of that.”
Carter stood because he had to, but also because if he stayed seated, he might just stare at her like an idiot.
Lena stepped away from the podium as he approached.
He looked at his notes.
Then at the room.
“Good evening,” he said.
Victory.
“I’m Carter Hayes, and I play hockey at Ridgeview. Which means I’m usually more comfortable with a stick in my hands than a microphone.”
Just easing in.
“When Lena first told us what the fundraiser was really for, I thought I understood. Children’s wing. Hospital support. Good cause. Important work. Those are words people say a lot at events like this.”
He looked briefly at Lena.
She watched him with her hands folded in her lap, eyes steady.
“But then I saw the kids at the fundraiser. I saw families who looked tired and hopeful at the same time. I saw my teammates, who are not always known for graceful execution—”
Coach’s mouth twitched.
“—try very hard to make those kids laugh. And I realized something.”
Because the next line mattered.
“A hockey game can make a whole arena care for three periods. But what you all do makes people feel cared for during the hardest periods of their lives.”
Carter breathed.
“The children and families helped by St. Mary’s may not remember every dollar raised.
They may not remember every name in this room.
But they will remember that adults decided their fight mattered.
They will remember that a community showed up.
And from a student-athlete who got to be a small part of that, I just want to say thank you for letting us show up too. ”
Sustained.
Carter stepped back from the podium with his pulse roaring in his ears.
He looked at Lena.
He walked back to the table and sat beside her.
Under the table, hidden by the linen napkin Paige would absolutely want details about, Lena found his hand and squeezed it.
The photo happened after dessert.
Which meant Carter had thirty additional minutes to overthink it.
A photographer set them near a branded backdrop with the St. Mary’s logo, Ridgeview Athletics emblem, and a tasteful floral arrangement that seemed expensive enough to make Mason nervous.
“First, Carter and Lena together,” the photographer said.
Lena stepped beside him.
Carter kept his hands to himself, clasped loosely in front of him.
The photographer looked through the camera. “A little closer, please.”
Lena glanced at him.
Her mouth twitched.
“Hayes,” she murmured, barely audible.
“You can stand closer. It’s a photo, not a scandal.”
He leaned slightly closer.
“More natural,” the photographer said.
Carter whispered, “Define natural.”
Lena whispered back, “Not like you’re afraid of being arrested.”
Professional.
Still enough to kill him.
The photographer smiled. “Perfect.”
Carter looked down at Lena just as she looked up at him.
The photographer caught that one too.
“Great,” the photographer said. “That’s lovely.”
Lena’s cheeks turned pink.
After photos with the board, Denise, Coach, and a group shot with his parents, Carter finally escaped with Lena into a quieter hallway outside the event room.
The muffled sound of dinner conversation drifted behind them.
Lena leaned against the wall and exhaled.
Carter stood in front of her.
Not too close.
Not far.
“Well,” he said.
“We did.”
“You were incredible.”
Her gaze softened. “So were you.”
He looked away.
“Carter.”
He looked back.
“Take the compliment.”
He exhaled. “Thank you.”
“No crawling under tables?”
He smiled.
Then her expression changed into something more tender.
“I was proud of you.”
Carter’s chest tightened so hard he had to look down.
“Dangerous words,” he said, but his voice was rough.
“I was proud of you too,” he said.
Her eyes shone.
“Dangerous words,” she whispered.
He smiled faintly. “I know.”
Private enough.
He lifted a hand to her cheek.
“Can I kiss you?”
She smiled. “You ask every time.”
“I like hearing you say yes.”
Carter stepped closer, his hand at her waist, his mouth moving over hers with all the things he had not said while standing at podiums and posing for professional photos.
Lena made a small sound against his mouth, and Carter nearly lost every bit of emotional growth he had fought so hard to build.
He pulled back, breathing hard.
“Respectful distance,” he whispered.
She laughed softly, forehead resting against his chest. “After that?”
“I said what I said.”
“You’re very committed to the conditions.”
Not ready to hand to her.
But real enough that pretending it didn’t exist felt pointless.
Lena studied his face. “You okay?”
“Good.”
Before he could answer, Michael Hayes’s voice came from the end of the hall.
“I knew respectful distance was nonsense.”
Carter closed his eyes. “Dad.”
Lena stepped back quickly, face flaming.
Anne appeared beside Michael, one hand on his arm, trying and failing not to smile.
“I told him not to follow you,” Anne said.
“You absolutely did not,” Michael replied.
“I implied it.”
“You said, ‘Michael, don’t.’ That could mean anything.”
“It meant don’t follow them.”
Carter dragged a hand over his face. “This family is a privacy violation.”
Lena laughed, hiding her face against her hand.
Michael looked deeply pleased. “Good speeches.”
Carter’s annoyance softened.
“Thanks.”
Michael looked at Lena. “Both of you.”
“Thank you,” Lena said.
Anne’s eyes moved between them, warm and knowing. “You two made the room better.”
Carter felt Lena go still beside him.
“You did,” Anne said. “Not because you were perfect. Because you were sincere.”
Sincere.
Carter looked at Lena.
Maybe that was all they had been trying to become.
Michael cleared his throat. “Now, I am told I need to go home before your mother calls my cardiologist for backup.”
“Correct,” Anne said.
Carter pointed toward the event room. “I’ll get our coats.”
Lena moved to go with him, but Anne gently touched her arm.
“You stay a second?”
Lena blinked. “Oh. Sure.”
Carter looked at his mother.
He lifted both hands and walked back toward the event room with his father.
Michael leaned closer as they walked.
“She’s good.”
Carter glanced at him. “Lena?”
“No, the floral arrangement.”
Carter huffed a laugh. “Yeah. She is.”
Michael slowed near the coat area. “You’re good with her.”
Carter stopped.
His father looked at him.
“You know that?” Michael asked.
Carter swallowed.
“I’m trying to be.”
“No.” Michael’s voice softened. “You are.”
Michael nodded.
Then, because too much sincerity was apparently against family rules, he added, “Now get the coats before your mother decides I need a wheelchair.”
“You might if you keep misbehaving.”
“Betrayal.”
Carter smiled and grabbed the coats.
When they returned, Lena was standing with Anne, and something about Lena’s expression looked softer than before.
Later to talk about whatever his mother had said.
They said their goodbyes. Denise thanked them again. Coach gave Carter a nod that somehow meant good job, don’t get cocky, and I saw that hallway kiss but will pretend I didn’t.
Finally, Carter and Lena walked out into the cool night together.
He looked at her.
She looked nervous but sure.
“That went well,” she said.
“It did.”
“We did it.”
“Yeah,” he said. “We did.”
At the SUV, Carter opened her door, but Lena didn’t get in right away.
Instead, she turned toward him.
“Your mom said something.”
He leaned one arm against the open doorframe. “Should I be worried?”
“No.” Lena smiled softly. “She said you look happy when you’re not trying to prove you are.”
Of course his mother had said exactly the thing designed to ruin him.
Lena stepped closer.
“She’s right,” she said.
“Yes.” Her hand touched his tie, smoothing it though it was already fine. “You looked happy tonight.”
So he said the truth he could safely give her tonight.
“I’m really glad I was in that room with you.”
Just theirs.
A kiss full of pride and fear and steady becoming.
When he pulled back, Lena smiled up at him like maybe she felt the same almost-word hovering between them.
Carter helped her into the SUV and closed the door.
Mason.
Mason: Coach said speeches were good. Also rumor says photo looked “adorable but professional.” Proud of Emotional Support Forward.
Carter laughed before he could stop himself.
Lena looked over as he got in. “Mason?”
“Unfortunately.”
“What did he say?”
Then she typed from his phone:
Mason: This is Lena. “Adorable but professional” is acceptable. Do not make shirts.
Mason: Understood. Proud of both of you. Silent in spirit.
It didn’t.
It sounded like the messy, chaotic, loud, impossible life they were building around something real.
Carter started the car.
Lena’s hand found his on the console.