Page 82 of The Riley Effect

“Let’s go get this trophy.”

We’re lucky to start the third period tied at one. The guys have done an amazing job making up for my mistakes, but now it’s time to act like the team captain they voted for.

We make it through the first fifteen minutes of the period tied. We are a man up and attacking the goal as we start the last five minutes of regulation. Aaron sends me a beautiful pass. I get around the Minnesota defenseman and take my shot. It feels like it’s in the air forever before it slides past the goalie’s glove, and when I see that red light flash, I drop my stick and embrace my teammates.

Two minutes. We just have to hold off Minnesota for two minutes, and then I’ll finally be a National Champion. We play perfect team hockey for the last two minutes, working together to secure this win. I watch the clock tick down, and even as I watch it hit zero, I don’t process what we just accomplished. It’s not until I’m stuck underneath a pile of my teammates that it registers that we won! When I finally get back to standing upright, I see my parents banging on the glass. I wish Ivy was with them.

We stay on the ice as we’re presented with the awards for the tournament. I’m named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and I’m not going to lie, it feels good to be rewarded for all of the hard work that I have put in over the years.

“That’s my baby!” I know that voice. I know those words.

I look up and see Ivy standing with my parents, repeating the same possessive words I yelled when she hit that game-winning shot on New Year’s Day.

I hurry off the ice and beeline it for my family. I pull Ivy into a hug and hold on tight because I’d be crazy to let this girl go again.

“I think maybe you should hug your parents too.” Her face is buried so deep into my chest the words bounce off my chest protector.

I place a quick kiss on her head so I can take in the familiar scent of her floral shampoo. I reluctantly let her go to give my parents a hug.

“It’s pretty amazing that Ivy flew here after her loss to be with you.”

I was so happy to see Ivy, that I completely forgot that the only way she could be here was if she lost.

Mom must sense that Ivy and I need a moment alone because she intertwines her fingers with my Dad’s. “We should go find Byron. We haven’t seen him yet tonight.”

As my parents leave, I pull Ivy back into another hug.

“You’re here.”

“I’m here,” she sighs. “I’m sorry about everything.”

“It’s okay,” I get why she was upset even though there was nothing was going on between Evelyn and I. I can see how Ivy would have perceived the situation differently.

“Can you just let me get this out? I’ve had a three-hour plane ride to figure out what I wanted to say to you.”

I laugh and hold my arm out. “The floor is yours.”

“This has been the best year of my life. Before I met you, I told myself my life would start when I finished school. That to be happy, I had to get into the top vet school, have the best grades, and be the perfect role model for Caleb and Stella. You tricked my entire team into believing you threw a party for us, but it was really so you could spend time with me.”

I feel my cheeks heat.

“Yeah, I know about that, but since that party, you’ve shown that I need to live life in the moment. Why save for the future what you can do now. I might miss it completely if I don’t.”

Ivy takes a deep breath and makes sure she is looking me in the eyes for this next part. She pulls a long red box out of her purse and hands it to me.

“I meant to give this to you before the formal, but we were rushing, and then obviously, it didn’t really end how we wanted, but I want to make sure you have it.”

I open the velvet box and see a chain identical to the one she broke on New Year’s Eve.

“I love you, Jalen. I’m sorry I let my insecurities get the best of me, but trust me, you led me down a path that I would have never seen for myself. One where my life is balanced. You make me feel seen, and I know I still have to work through some things, but if you want, I’d love to have my biggest cheerleader by my side.”

I pick her up, and her legs instinctively wrap around my waist. I kiss her like a man starved for the woman that he loves. She lets my tongue snake to find hers, but only for a second until she pulls away.

“Save it for later. Your parents are here.”

“I love you, Ivy Rhodes.”

“I love you, Jalen Holloway.”

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