Page 78 of Mistletoe Face Off
“You'll get your chance. Let the guy speak.”
Harry throws Chase a grateful look before he clears his throat and begins. “I never thought I'd be standing here, talking about the past I kept hidden for so long. It was something I carried with me since then, and although it's meant that I've had to temporarily step down from the team, in some ways I'm glad it's out there. I was a sixteen year old kid with dreams of figure skating Olympic gold back in Oregon when I was faced with a choice to cheat. Luckily, I had the best mom in my corner. She taught me the value of integrity and honesty, and those are two values I carry with me to this day.
“My coach at the time offered me performance enhancing drugs to help me win a competition. Although it's been reported otherwise, I turned them down, and that decision cost me my skating career, my name, and almost my love for the ice. But it also taught me who I am and what I stand for, and that's a valuable lesson for anyone.
“You see, I carried that secret since then, afraid people would only see the scandal, and I've realized that by hiding my past, I wasn't just short-changing myself, I was also short-changing all of you. You deserve the truth, and that's why I wanted to give it to you tonight.”
A round of applause travels through the group, and a couple of the guys call out their support.
“And now onto the topic at hand,” Harry begins, looking lighter. “It's no secret that I want to be captain of the team next season when Dan steps down. To me, leadership isn't about being perfect. It isn't about being the best out there on theice. It's about being honest, especially when it's hard. It's about facing your mistakes and learning from them. It's about integrity every single day, both on and off the ice.
“I want to be that leader for you, and I hope you will consider me when it comes down to the vote. I want us to be men we're proud of, on and off the ice. Thanks.”
There's a moment of silence before the room bursts into spontaneous applause—with the obvious exceptions—whooping and cheering, and patting Harry on the back.
I excuse myself from Abby and Keira who both throw me knowing looks, and I make my way through the party goers, finally reaching him.
“How did I do?” he asks.
“Have you ever considered a job in politics?”
“Definitely not,” he replies with a laugh.
“You were amazing, Harry. I'm so proud of you.” To my surprise, tears spring to my eyes and I sniff them back. “It's been a lot.”
“Thanks for your help with my speech, Holly. My love.”
My heart leaps at the word, and as I look up at him, it's plain to see the love he has for me in his eyes.
“I love you,” he whispers into my ear, his warm breath sending a tingle down my spine.
“I loveyou,” I tell him, and as I gaze up at his sparkling eyes, I know this time I’ve fallen for the very best of men. My heart is safe in Harry’s hands, and I cannot wait for a new chapter to begin. Together.
Epilogue
Harrison
It’s the second period of a game on the Thunderwolves’ home turf, and we’re down 1-2. The crowd is on their feet, out for blood—our blood, to be precise. Just as the Thunderwolves are our nemesis, so we are for their fans. A victory against us will taste especially sweet for them in this, the final game on the day before Christmas Eve.
Man, do I miss the buzz I get from our home ground fans.
But I’ve brought some pretty special VIPs to the game with me here tonight in Denver, Colorado. I glance up at the family section in the lower bowl and find Holly’s eyes trained on me, a smile on her lips. She’s wearing my number and name on her back, just the way it ought to be—and someday, I hope my name will be hers.
“Holly Clarke” has a nice to ring to it, don’t you think?
Yup, I have becomethatguy. Romantic. Soppy. All about my girl.
But you know what? I’m more than happy about it. It turns out being in love is the best feeling in the world.
Holly’s on her feet, Macy and her mom, Cindy, at her side, all of them cheering for the Blizzard. My mom is right there with them, beaming proudly at me, and my heart softens at the sight of my favorite women, all here together, supporting me and the team.
As much as I want to think about them, right now I’ve got a job to do, specifically stopping Holly’s ex from scoring again.
One final glance at the bleachers and Holly mouths, “You got this!” I throw her a salute, my confidence getting a much needed shot in the arm.
She’s right. I have totally got this.We’vegot this, the Blizzard, and we’re not going to let these guys pull one over us tonight.
I scan the ice, my eyes locking right onto Phil Channing. He may be the Thunderwolves’ star winger, he may have been a thorn in my side all game tonight, but this is personal. I want nothing more than to wipe that smug grin off of Holly’s ex’s face with a victory over him and his team.