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“We stand with her. She’s not fighting alone, and we want to show her that,” Kos says, and my face falls.
What is he talking about?
A flash of something pink on his neckline catches my eye, but I can’t make it out.
Kos waves someone over, and a second later, Reed appears on screen.
What is he doing?
“Hi, Reed. Please tell us more about what tonight means to you and your team,” the interviewer prompts.
The camera zooms in on Reed and Kos. That’s when I notice what looks so different about their jerseys. Along the neckline of their top, the words For Charlotte are embroidered in hot pink.
Oh my God.
My hand flies to my mouth as a few tears fall from my lashes.
They aren’t allowed to do that. They can’t alter their jerseys. They will all be fined for this. That is so stupid—and so, so sweet.
“I’m glad you like it.” My dad pats my back.
“You knew?” I scoff, my head whipping to him.
He chuckles and wipes away a tear of his own. “Of course I knew. Reed wanted me to make sure you were watching when it happened. Somehow, I still almost messed it up.”
I laugh with him.
Reed starts talking, and I can’t do anything but hang on every word. “Charlotte is the girl that lights up an entire room when she walks in. She is so selfless and kind, constantly putting everyone else first. She deserves to know that we stand with her in her fight against cancer. She is so strong, and I know she’ll kick cancer right in the a—”
“Whoa! This is live, remember?” the interview says with a bit of panic in her voice.
Oh my God, babe.
I can’t imagine the stress that just ran through her from Reed almost swearing. It happens from time to time—when an interviewee cusses on a hot mic. Hot meaning live.
He laughs. “Sorry. She’ll kick cancer right in the butt. Regardless, she’s got this. The coaches are also wearing pink ties tonight to show their support. Our entire club is rooting for her, especially me. She’s the love of my life, and I can’t wait to see her win this fight. We know that embroidery is illegal on the ice, but we will pay those fines with smiles. We are also donating the amount we are fined to breast cancer research.”
“That’s beautiful. Thank you guys so much for speaking with me.” She dismisses them and turns to the camera. “What an amazing gesture from a great group of guys. Charlotte, the Nighthawks nation is by your side every step of the way.”
The screen changes to the two guys who sit behind our reporting desk, and they say a brief thanks to the interviewer before continuing to discuss how the teams rank up against one another. But I can’t even focus on what they’re saying. I can only think about the guy who just said that I’m the love of his life on live TV.
I love him so much that, sometimes, I feel like my body can’t physically contain it. It’s overwhelming, and it’s everything.
“Proud of you, girl,” my dad whispers, wiping my cheek.
I look at him as my bottom lip quivers. “I love you.”
He smiles with a lingering sadness dancing in his eyes. “I love you too.”
Hatty meows at my feet, then jumps up onto my lap.
“Oh my gosh, hi, buddy.” I smile and laugh as the remaining pool of tears fall from my eyes. “He’s never done this before!”
I try to contain my squeals of excitement so I don’t scare him off. He’s come close to my lap, but never sat on it, and definitely never jumped on it. This moment might not seem that precious to most, but it’s huge. Hatty has had a rough life, and he hasn’t really felt love before Reed and me, aside from the shelter staff. In spite of everything he’s been through, including losing a leg, he is opening up to us and thriving.
People can learn a lot from animals. This feels like a teaching moment, not for him, but for me. At Hatty’s lowest moments in life, he could have given up. But he never did, he fought day in and day out to survive. Look at him now——living in kitty luxury with parents who love him. If he can beat the shitty hand that life dealt him, then maybe I can too.
The Nighthawks go on to crush the Mystics four to one. During the game, my dad and I ate an entire bag of chips with the queso. I think we were fighting with each other over who got to lick the bowl clean. It was so good. And to finish the night off, I made my bestie, Ella, a bracelet of her own to match mine and Cocoa’s. She’s going to be so excited; I can practically see her smile now.
