Page 89 of The Cutting Edge
And in this moment, as the crowd rises to its feet and applause thunders in my ears, I know with utter certainty that I’ve won gold.
And Marissa will be right there standing on the podium with me, at long last she's taking home the bronze. That shared dream we've had since we were just kids, of competing at the Olympics together. We're doing it.
Tears spill down my cheeks as I turn to my coach and Marissa. They're crying too, and we cling to each other, all of us laughing and sobbing all at once.
“You did it, girls!” She squeezes us tight. “We’re going to the Olympics!”
The announcer’s voice booms over the loudspeaker, confirming what I already know. I’ve won gold. I’m the Nationals gold medalist, heading for the Olympics.
The dream I’ve held in my heart for as long as I can remember is finally coming to pass. I close my eyes, soaking in this perfect moment.
After all the heartbreak and setbacks, my time has come at last.
I skate to the sidelines on trembling legs, searching the crowd for his familiar face in the sea of strangers. Where is he? And there he is, just like always. Logan stands near the front, a bouquet of pink roses in his hands and a smile that outshines the spotlights.
Our eyes meet and he gives me a thumbs up, mouthing, “You did it, baby!” My parents and Logan’s, Poppy, Rosie, Lana, Cam, Coach Rocco, and Mrs. Markham are screaming and waving from the stands.
After we’ve taken the podium and received our medals, he vaults over the barrier without hesitation, a monster of a man sliding and stumbling across the ice in his dress shoes. I meet him halfway and fling myself into his arms. He swings me around, kissing my face and hair as I cling to him.
“I knew you could do it,” he whispers fiercely. “I’m so proud of you, Coco.”
“I did it,” I sob into his neck. “We did it. I’m going to the Olympics!”
“I know, baby. I know.” He sets me down gently, cupping my face in his hands. “You were incredible out there. Absolutely incredible.”
His lips find mine and for a moment, there’s no one else in the world but us. The roar of the crowd fades away, and all I can feel is the warmth of his love surrounding me.
When we break apart, breathless, he slides the massive bouquet of pink roses into my arms. “For the champion. And Coco?” His dark eyes gleam with affection and pride. “Madrid’s going to love you. And I'll be right there to cheer you on every step of the way."
Tears prick my eyes. Not from anxiety or self-doubt this time, but pure, unadulterated joy.
After years of striving and struggling, I've finally found my way home. Here, in Logan's arms, is where I belong. Well, there, and on the top of the podium in Madrid.
I laugh, wiping at my cheeks and nose with the back of my hand. “It's pretty lucky, we already know our way around the airport.”
Chapter forty-one
Coco
Iblinkatthesea of people crammed into Logan's massive house, spilling out onto the wraparound balcony overlooking the bay. The entire Slashers team has shown up to celebrate my win at Nationals, along with what seems like half of St. Pete.
My cheeks flush, warmth spreading through me as I catch Logan's eye from across the room. He grins and mouths, "Congratulations, babe."
I laugh, the sound drowned out by the thumping bass of the music. After months of starts and stops, of miscommunications and missed connections, we’re finally together. And if the way Logan's family and teammates have welcomed me into the fold is any indication, they’re all rooting for us.
Logan slides an arm around my waist and presses a kiss to my temple. "Having fun?"
"The best." I lean into him, breathing in the red-blooded hockey god scent of his cologne. "I can't believe you did all this for me."
"For us," he says. "We've been through a lot to get here, and everyone wanted to celebrate how far we've come."
My chest tightens, emotions welling. I've spent so long fighting for every scrap of progress, sacrificing for a dream that often felt out of reach. But with Logan at my side, and the support of people who love us, even the Olympic gold now seems within my grasp.
"I love you," he says simply.
"I love you too." He tips my chin up and covers my mouth in a searing kiss that elicits whistles and shouts from his teammates.
When we finally break apart, breathless, Cam claps Logan on the back. "About time you made an honest woman out of our girl here."
