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EPILOGUE
MACKENZIE
I sneak into the stadium just as everybody is leaving. I should have been here earlier – to watch the game itself – but my flight was canceled and I had to scramble to get on the next one. I know the result though – I was following the game the whole way on my phone. Even if I hadn’t, it’s clear we won from the smiles on the faces of our supporters as they leave the building.
I still have my security pass and I flash it at the guard who knows me and nods me in. “You missed a good one,” he tells me.
“I know.” I grimace because I’m sad I wasn’t here to see the Mavericks make it through to the Calder Cup.
It’s a big moment for Eli. At the beginning of the season, nobody thought the Mavericks would finish anywhere but in the bottom two. But the team is coming into their own. With each game they play they’re getting stronger.
I’m so proud of them all I could burst.
In the past few months I’ve managed to get to a few games, sitting with Gramps in the staff box now that he’s more mobile and able to walk around. He comes into the stadium a few hours a week to make sure things are ticking over, but Brian has stepped up and become General Manager.
He’s doing great. I’m proud of him, too.
Heading toward the staff area, I use my pass to unlock the door, stepping into the hallway that leads to the locker room.
“Mac!” I look around to see Goran walking toward me, his hair damp and a fresh pair of dress pants and shirt on.
“Hey.” I hug him. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks. We’re just heading to the press conference. You coming?”
“I’ll be at the back,” I tell him. “But we’ll catch up tonight, right?”
Eli is hosting a party at a club in town for all the players. We probably won’t stay long, because he wants them to let their hair down, and that’s difficult with the coach around.
Before the playoffs begin and things get serious again.
The press conference has already begun by the time I sneak into the room. Eli is in the center, next to Gramps. The team surrounds them on either side.
But I only have eyes for him.
The best thing about having a long-distance relationship is how happy you are to see each other. How you make the most of each moment you’re together. Whether it’s Eli flying into New York or me flying here, when we’re together we’re focused on each other.
We have an app that we use to schedule our weekends, depending on whether they’re playing at home or away and whether I need to be in New York for meetings. Over the past few months I think we’ve only missed two weekends together.
So yeah, it’s working out well.
And I know over the next few months we’ll need to talk about the future. Because we both want to be together for good. And I’m not scared of that at all. I want it.
I want him.
Forever.
As he answers a question about a power play, his eyes flicker up and meet mine. He finishes his answer in a low voice, as a smile slowly curls his lips.
For a moment it’s like we’re the only two people in the room. That smile holds a promise I know he intends to keep. One that’ll involve him carrying me into his bedroom later and showing me just how much he’s missed me.
And then hopefully he’ll make me breakfast in bed the way he usually does, because he’s an early bird and I hate waking up.
Except to him.
“This question is for Eli,” a reporter says. “Have you spoken with Danny Hart since the exhibition match took place?”
Eli shakes his head. “No. And I don’t intend to.”
