Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 86068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
I skate to the middle of the ice, getting in line and shaking the other players' hands. I look over to the side, seeing them opening the Zamboni door, where they are rolling out the red carpet and setting up the tables for the MVP of the playoffs, as well as the Stanley Cup. Everything is a blur right now, everything. I don’t even want to look over to where I know Vivienne is watching me because I know that if I look at her, I’ll be a sobbing mess.
I finally get to the end of the line and skate over to the bench, grabbing a Stanley Cup hat. Shaking my head in disbelief. “We fucking did it.”
Dylan comes up to me. “You fucking did it.”
“It was a team effort,” I remind him before Cooper comes over and pushes my shoulder.
“The hero of the game,” he says, making me laugh. “I still don’t like you kissing my sister.” That makes me laugh even harder.
The president of the NHL, Paul Garmin, comes out with a microphone in his hand, the announcer’s voice comes on. “Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the ice for the award presentation to the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup Finals.”
“Congratulations to Dallas on yet another Stanley Cup win,” Paul starts and the crowd goes wild. “The award for the most valuable player of the playoffs. This person has shown perseverance on and off the ice. He is one of the top leading scorers in the playoffs, and he sure scored the big one tonight. Your award winner, Xavier Montgomery.” I hear my name, but I’m not sure, or maybe I’m in shock because Cooper comes over and pushes me over toward the trophy.
My feet skate as if on autopilot. I shake my head in disbelief. I turn to point at all the guys on my team, all of the guys who made this happen. Paul extends his hand and I grab it, shaking it. The clicks of cameras go off all around us. “Congratulations,” he tells me, picking up one side of the trophy, and I pick up the other. We turn to the camera, posing for pictures.
I don’t have a chance to do anything before someone comes out from the press box with a microphone in his hand. “Xavier,” he says, and the arena goes silent. “Congratulations.” I nod at him. “What a season you’ve had.”
I laugh at the irony of it all. “Considering I haven’t played in two years, this is the cherry on the sundae.” I look down at the ice, not sure I can look up, knowing tears are almost ready to start streaming down my face.
“Like Paul said, you had perseverance on and off the ice. Obviously, the highlight of the series will be your game-winning goal, but what will you remember most?”
“I mean, I don’t think I would be here without Nico and Manning.” I look over at them as they wear their suits with Stanley Cup hats on their heads. “They took me on, even with the black cloud hanging over me.” They both nod at me. “And, of course, I couldn’t have done it without my team.” I look at the guys. “We battled hard each and every single game. Got knocked down a couple of times, but we came back stronger.”
“You walked away from the game and then came back. Did you ever imagine this scenario?”
“Not even for a minute,” I answer him honestly, not sure what else I can say.
“Now, what are you going to do to celebrate?” he asks, and then I do it. I lift my eyes to the box where I know she is.
She stands there wearing my jersey, with her hands to her mouth, the tears running down her cheeks as she takes in this moment, Beatrice’s leash in her hand. “I couldn’t do this without my family.” The words come out, and I see her smiling as she claps her hands. Beatrice barks, making everyone in the box laugh. “My dog, obviously, who has been a mascot of the team this year.” The whole place laughs. I brought her in one day on an off day, and everyone fell in love with her. The PR guy of the team took a picture of her wearing a Dallas scarf, and it started. She would come to games after, and fans would go up to her. She loved every single second of the limelight. “But most importantly.” I put my hands on my hips, turning my head and making sure her eyes are on me when I say the next part, “I’m going to try to get my girl to marry me,” I say, and the whole place gasps. “Vivienne.” I say her name as Matthew stands beside her with his arm around her as she shakes. “What do you say?” My own tears are coming down my face. “I got a Cup. I think it comes with a ring.” I try to make a joke out of it, but the truth be told, I got her a ring last month and was just waiting for the right time to give it to her.