Page 134 of Puck Struck
"I got a call from Rex today," I say, picking at the edge of the beer label.
"Good news or bad news?"
"Good news. Really good news." I take a gulp of beer. "The league wants to feature me in their diversity and inclusion campaign. Not to focus on my past. It’d be more about overcoming adversity and being authentic."
Logan raises an eyebrow. "How do you feel about that?"
"Proud, actually. A year ago, I thought my true story wouldbe my downfall. Now it might help other kids who are struggling."
"That's huge, Cam."
"It is. And it got me thinking about something." I turn to face him. "What would you think about us doing some joint speaking engagements? You talking about sports medicine and injury prevention, me talking about mental health and overcoming adversity?"
"You want to do public speaking?"
"I want to help kids who are where we were. Kids who think they have to choose between their dreams and their integrity. Kids who are playing through injuries because they're afraid to lose their spot." I reach for his hand and lace my fingers with his. "We could make a difference."
"We could," he agrees. "I'd love to do that with you."
"Good. Because I already told Rex we'd think about it."
Logan laughs. "Of course you did."
The neighborhood settles in around us, the sound of crickets bleeping in the dusky night. My phone buzzes with a text from Carter, jarring us from the comfortable silence.
Team meeting tomorrow at 10. Season planning stuff. Also, Jack and I are engaged. Thought you'd want to know.
I show the message to Logan, who grins.
"Jeez. Looks like it's engagement season," he says.
"Speaking of which..." I stand up and walk inside. I kneel down next to my bag and rummage through it until I find what I’m looking for. I head back outside with a small velvet box in my outstretched hand.
Logan's eyes widen. "Cam...?"
"Relax. It's not what you think." I sit back down next to him. "I mean, it is, but not how you think."
I open the box. The porch light catches on the two newrings glittering back at us. Still simple, still platinum, but each with small diamond accents.
"Upgraded promise rings," I say. "Because I know we're not ready for marriage yet. You're still in school, I'm still getting my career on track, we're still figuring out what our life looks like long term."
"But?"
"But I want you to know that this is my forever. You're my forever." I take his left hand, slipping off the old ring and replacing it with the new one. "I promise to love you through whatever comes next. Through championships and disappointments, through school stress and career changes, through family chaos and everything else life throws at us."
Logan's eyes mist over as he takes my old ring and replaces it with its upgrade. "I promise the same things. To be your partner in everything. To build a life that makes us both happy."
"To build a life that makes us both happy," I repeat. "That’s all I want.”
"So," Logan says. "What does forever look like to you?"
"This. Family dinners and hockey tournaments and you coming home from the clinic covered in medical tape." I grin. "Maybe a wedding in a couple years, when you're done with school and I've got a few more seasons under my belt."
"Maybe kids?"
"Definitely kids. I want to give some kid the childhood we never had. The security, the love, the knowledge that they're valued just for existing."
"Not for what they can do or achieve."
