Page 59 of The Riley Effect

The table breaks into cheers, and I just laugh. I guess I’m going to New York.

A couple of weeks after Thanksgiving, the shelter hosts the annual fostering event. I mentioned the event when I was out with Jalen and the guys the Friday after Thanksgiving, and they all eagerly asked how they could help. Jill is still in disbelief that just adding their names to the flier has doubled our RSVPS from last year and helped three dogs find their forever homes earlier this week. The teammates of Jalen’s that couldn’t come because they had to study for finals secured some pretty amazing donations that will put the shelter in a great financial position to start off the new year.

“Hey Vee, where do you want this poster?” Byron asks, holding up a life-size poster of Riley at a Football game this past season.

“You need to find Lola, she has the easels that are big enough to hold those.” Byron nods and then is on his way to find my best friend.

I take a lap around the inside of the shelter, trying to find Jalen so we can give Jill the spa package we got her for Christmas. The last place I have to look is the back of the shelter that all the dogs call home. On the way back, I’m stopped by a few of Jalen’s teammates who have questions about which dogs are available for adoption. I’m pointing out a couple when Jill overhears us and offers to introduce them to the dogs.

As I watch them head over to see Rufs, a one-year-old chocolate lab, I notice that Marcus and Indy have been spending a lot of time with Daisy, a miniature poodle that arrived at the shelter last week. I try not to get my hopes up too high about them adopting her.

“Hey, babe,” The unexpected sound of Jalen’s voice startles me.

“Jalen, you can’t sneak up on me like that,” I tell him with my hands clutched over my heart.

“Sorry.” He looks concerned that he could have just killed me. “I just wanted to give Jill her gift before it gets too crazy in here.”

“You guys didn’t have to get me anything,” Jill says, coming out of the storage room closet.

“Why didn’t she nearly give you a heart attack?” Jalen asks, exacerbated.

“Her voice is more gentle than yours,” I shrug.

I hand Jill the small bag that holds the voucher to the spa in Westvale. Jill’s face lights up when she notices the day-long package we gifted her.

“We overheard you say how much your back’s been bothering you, so we thought some time in the hot tub and a massage might help,” Jalen tells Jill.

Jill pulls Jalen and me in for a hug before looking at us with misty eyes. “The fifteen thousand dollars you guys raised was enough of a Christmas present. This is just so thoughtful. Thank you guys.”

“You deserve it Jill, thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” I hug Jill one more time before she shoos us away to get ready for the event to start. I’m really going to miss this place next year, but I feel a lot better knowing that our teams helped set the shelter up for long-term success.

30

Ivy

Jalen hangs over my shoulder, a bottle of champagne in hand.

“Just hit submit, Ivy. It’s perfect.”

It’s just so hard to send off an application I have worked on perfecting all semester. Countless hours deciding what schools to apply to, getting my transcripts and letters of recommendation, all for this moment. Closing my eyes, I hit submit. My vet-school application is now in the hands of the acceptance committees.

I already feel lighter knowing that I’ve done all I can to put myself in the best position to get into my dream school.

Jalen places the bottle of champagne on the table so he can drape his arms over my shoulders. His arms are so long his hands land on my stomach. He taps his fingers aimlessly over today’s graphic tee.

“We have a lot to celebrate, Vee.” He kisses the top of my head before unwrapping himself from my body to open the champagne. There’s a loud pop followed by a flying cork, and I’m hoping there is no overflowing champagne because we don’t have time to change before we are supposed to leave for New York City.

We do have a lot to celebrate. Both of our teams have only one loss this season. I just applied to vet-school, and for the first time in a long time I’m truly content.

Jalen joins me at the kitchen table. “No time for glasses. We need to be on the road in twenty minutes.”

I swipe the bottle from him and take a long pull. I’m not driving today!

“You know, next year, when you’re a professional, you’ll need to start using glasses.”

In the few weeks Jalen and I have been dating, one of the odd habits of his I’ve picked up on is that he never uses a glass. If you look into the fridge at the hockey house, you’ll see six different beverages with Jalen’s name tapped on the outside. I’m the only one who will share a carton of milk with him.

Jalen brushes off the comment with an eye roll and starts putting on his Timberland boots.

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