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I really need the team to trust me and want me again. They keep telling me that they are okay with me, but I don’tfeelit. It might just be me projecting my own feelings about this, but I want to get back on top once more, back to where I used to be.
As the final seconds tick away, the thrill of the game lingers. We gather at center ice, our helmets raised in a triumphant salute to the fans who have shared in our journey and supportedus through all the ups and downs that we have been through. Me more than anyone else.
That was crazy. But I’ve finally found my footing again.
I scan the crowd, looking for the only set of eyes I need to see. It’s hard in such an intense crowd, especially with everyone dancing around and cheering, but I willalwayssearch for her. Now that I have Riley in my life and I’ve also experienced what life can be like without her, I will never waste time searching for anyone else.
There she is!
The moment I find her, the rest of the stadium melts away into nothingness. I don’t care about anyone else; nothing else matters. I only see her. She’s my everything.
Thank God I found her in Cold Springs and we managed to make things work. I really didn’t know if we would be able to, and I was worried that the pressure of everything that had happened before would push her away from me forever.
But it hasn’t.
We’re stronger than ever.
I wish I could run over to her, scoop her up in my arms, and run away from all of this, but I can’t. I have responsibilities here. We still have to talk to the press after the game, especially me as the team captain, and I hope that all goes well.
That’s something I always used to hate, and to be honest, I still don’t love it. I don’t know if I will ever get used to letting the media into my life, but I get it. It’s a necessary evil. Not all journalists are terrible, either. I met the best one ever.
The sooner I can get out of here, the faster I can get back to the love of my life. I don’t know what our plan is for the night, but I can’t wait to be with her and hold her in my arms.
“Come on, Alex.” Benji pulls me along, so I go where I need to. “Let’s do this.”
I manage to avoid all questions about my personal life after the game. Luckily, I speak to people who only want to know about what just happened, but I’m sure it’s coming. Eventually, people will get used to me and Riley being together. Eventually, there will be some other scandal much more interesting, catching the attention of the media, and we’ll be forgotten.
That’s what I have been convincing Riley anyway, and I’m sure it’s right. The spotlight can’t shine on us forever, right? We’ll have to be accepted one day, I’m sure of it, especially if we’re going to be together forever. People will just adjust, right?
The dressing room is alive with excitement. My winning shot seems to be the talk of the room, which is pretty awesome. I feel all warm and fuzzy, knowing that I’m winning everyone around once more. I hope to be loved again soon enough.
“We’re going to Vibes,” Benji tells me while patting me on the back. “You have to come with us, even if it’s just for a little bit to celebrate the win. Bring that lovely girlfriend of yours along with you.”
No one knows that Riley is pregnant yet. We are still just trying to win everyone around and to be accepted. There’s no need to pile on more stress. Not yet. Plus, I think it’s better to leave it until everything is further along with the pregnancy.
But what excuse can I give to get us out of this?
“I don’t know if Riley likes the attention; you know how it’s been with everything. The cops are still trying to find the person who sent that creepy package to her home with all the photos. Do you remember me talking to you about that?”
Benji nods.
“I don’t know if she’s going to want more attention on her.”
“But we’re a family, Alex,” Benjamin reminds me. “We’ll all protect her. It’ll be fine. Come on, Riley might want to come out with us. You have to ask her at least.”
We planned on meeting in the parking lot around the back of the stadium so we don’t need to face anyone. I can’t imagine Riley being happy about this, but I will ask her.
“Okay, I will see what she says. It would be fun to celebrate.”
The team cheers for me, which makes me even more convinced that this is something I should do to keep bonding with the guys again. But I won’t if Riley doesn’t want to. She’s my priority right now, and she always will be. Riley and my child.
Hockey has always been my one true love. I have been laser-focused. I haven’t worried about anything else or cared. Now, I still love hockey, and it will always be a massive focus for me, but my heart has grown bigger, and I have room for so many other things.
I get dressed quickly and head outside to where Riley is waiting for me. Only I quickly see that she isn’t alone. A couple of journalists have found her, and they seem to be asking her a bunch of questions, which isn’t great. I might have gotten out of saying anything about our relationship, but I don’t think Riley will be able to.
Shit.
I need to get to her now. I need to rescue her.
