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I want to puke as I wait in the crowd for my name to be called, hoping that all of my hard work will finally pay off. The event center is a mob of people, the Draft in the second round and tensions are high. With each name they call, my heart slams into my chest. My body trembles from the nerves shaking through me, but I do my best to still my hand that Taylor’s clutching for dear life.
Her body is rigid, and her jaw is set so hard it looks like it could pop from its sockets. She’s been a nervous wreck all week despite her best efforts to hide it from me. We moved into our new house last week, which only added to the stress. I hired a decorator to take Taylor’s mind off everything, though I’m not sure she likes picking out paint colors enough to distract her from the fact we might not see each other for a while.
No matter what happens, we’ll figure it out. Taylor has five more years at Berkeley before she can become a psychologist. Her dream is just as important as mine. I would never ask her to stop pursuing her career path when I have every intention of following mine. I know firsthand with my parents that long distance relationships can work. They did it for most of my childhood without any issues.
When my name is finally called, Taylor screams and squeezes my hand tighter. My mom cries, tears streaming down her cheeks. Chloe’s clapping and beaming with delight. Dad holds up his hand for me to slap it.
It takes me a second to process the reality of the situation. All of the years of pushing myself to the limit have come to fruition. And then I let it all sink in again, realizing the news is better than I ever could have imagined. Because I was picked by the San Jose Sharks, which is a little over an hour drive from our house in Berkeley.
Taylor and my family rise from their seats along with me. My girl is practically attached to my body. She’s holding onto me so tight I’m wondering if I will have to drag her up to the stage with me.
“You made it, Drake,” she says with fresh tears now spilling from her eyes. “I’m so proud of you. I knew they’d call you.”
I chuckle and press a kiss to her lips. “Thanks, baby. You make all of this worth it.”
A blush spreads across her pale cheeks. She mouths, I love you, and I say it back, before I hug the rest of my family and make my way up to the stage.
Time feels frozen when I put the Sharks hat on my head, adjusting it over my hair. I say my thank you’s and smile for the cameras, my eyes fixed on Taylor the entire time. Even in a crowd, I can find her. I’m so drawn to her, always have been, and for that reason alone I know I will always find my way back to her.
Chapter Twenty-One
Taylor: Six months later
Bex and Preston are in San Jose for the night. I’ve missed my bestie so much that my chest hurts at the thought of her leaving tomorrow. With the best seats in the house, we cheer for our men, each of us wearing different jerseys this time.
Preston thought he’d lost his shot at playing professional hockey after he was kicked out of the college league. But he lucked out and got a phone call from a Pittsburgh Penguins’ scout. Now, he’s here in Cali playing against Drake and his new team.
“It feels weird to watch them on opposing sides,” Bex says.
All of Drake’s former teammates except for Jamie are now in the NHL. Jamie opted to skip the Draft and work on his video game at his father’s new company.
“Yeah, I know. It sucks with all of us being in different cities. It’s so hard to get together. And the three-hour time difference between us doesn’t help.”
Bex shrugs. “It’s only three hours. Coach has me working every night. I’m up so late now that I work at DMG, I’m lucky if I get a few hours of sleep.”
“And instead of sleeping, you’re up talking to me.” I laugh. “Which makes me late for class.”
She slaps me on the arm and chuckles. “Hey, don’t blame me. I have no problem getting up for work after staying on the phone with you all night.”
I smirk at her comment and pull my jacket closed. No matter how many times I sit rink-side, my body can’t adapt to the temperature. But at least once I’m outside, I have the warmth of the California sun.
Everything worked out for Drake and me. We both get to pursue our dreams and still have each other for support. I know he’s overwhelmed by his first year in the league. He’s not the starting goalie, at least not yet. But we both have faith he will some day.
