Page 114 of When Alec Met Evie
He looks over at Megan, who is standing on his other side. “Why is she nervous?”
Megan grimaces in my direction, then, like the total traitor she is, says, “Because Parker made it seem like there was something big happening tonight, besides all this jersey stuff, and Evie is worried you’re going to propose in front of all these people.”
If I could shoot actual daggers out of my eyes at Megan, I would, but when I look up at Alec, he only looks amused.
“It would be totally fine if youdidpropose,” I say, suddenly feelingverysheepish. “If that’s the plan.”
He lifts his hands to my shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Have you no faith in me?”
I breathe out a sigh of relief. “So thatisn’tthe plan?”
“I mean, not in the next half hour. What I’m planning in the future is an entirely different story, but don’t think I’m giving you any spoilers.”
I bite my lip, suddenly feeling so overwhelmingly proud to be standing next to him. I lean up and kiss him softly. “I really love you. And I’m so, so proud of you.”
Seconds later, the event announcer calls Alec’s name, and the three of us walk onto the ice to an eruption of cheers and applause. Alec waves to the crowd, then we stand in a small line in the center of the arena, and the entire Appies team moves into a line behind us. They tap their sticks on the ground as the cheers around the arena grow louder and louder. I’m suddenly extra glad I didn’t bring Juno with me tonight, and not just because the noise would overwhelm her. Mostly, I’m just glad that right now, I get to watch Alec’s face as he takes in the crowd. As he hears them cheer.
Finally, the lights in the arena dim, and a video compilation of all of Alec’s best moments on the ice plays on the jumbotron. By the time it finishes, all three of us are crying, some more stoically than others.
The tears continue as Coach Davis and several of Alec’s teammates pass around a microphone to pay tribute. Some comments are funny, some are a little more serious, but all demonstrate just how much Alec means to the Appies organization.
When Theo takes the microphone, I’m not sure exactly what to expect. But then he runs a hand through his hair and looks right at Alec. “When I first came to the Appies,” he says, “I was already a pretty good defender. But that’s about all I had going for me. In every other way, I was lost. Until my captain found me. Thanks, man.”
It’s the simplest tribute, but if the tears in Alec’s eyes are any indication, it’s the one that impacts him the most. At the end of the ceremony, we all watch as Alec’s jersey is lifted into the rafters of the Summit, guaranteeing that no other Appie will ever wear the number forty-four.
After lots of hugs and handshakes and interviews and photo ops, Alec makes Megan drive my car back to his house so he can drive me home, just the two of us.
“You realize you’re stranding yourself at my house, right?” I ask.
He only grins. “I did think of that.”
I narrow my eyes, noticing the gleam in his expression. Something is happening here. Something more than just Alec driving me home.
“What’s happening?” I ask, and Alec grins as he slows his truck to a stop.
“Close your eyes for me?” he asks.
“Why are we stopped a block away from my house?”
“Evie,” Alec says, a smile in his voice. “Just close them. I promise it’ll be worth it.”
I breathe out an exaggerated sigh. “Fine, fine. They’re closed!”
“You aren’t peeking?”
“If you didn’t want me to peek, you should have gotten a blindfold.”
“Excuse me for being slightly preoccupied by everything else that was happening tonight,” he says dryly. “Please? No peeking.”
I turn my head to face him, eyes squeezed shut. “No peeking. I promise.”
“Okay. Give me just a second,” he says.
The truck starts moving again, and we drive for a few seconds before he makes a turn and parks in what I’m guessing is my driveway, but with my eyes closed, I can’t actually be sure.
“Don’t move,” he says before jumping out. Seconds later, my door opens, and his hand slips around my waist. “Okay. Just hang onto me.”
I do just that as he leads me over grass, the sidewalk, then finally up a set of steps. “Is this my house?” I ask.
