We stopped to grab our usual overload of snacks on our way in, and I’ve been munching on popcorn as the lights dim, signaling the start of the game. Except, it’s not the usual pre-game music that comes on. Instead, some techno version ofI Will Surviveplays over the speakers and I turn to Royce in confusion.
“What’s going on?”
He shrugs, seeming just as baffled.
Leaning forward in my seat, I look toward the tunnel where the Huskies usually emerge in time for the entire team to spill onto the ice. I gape in amazement as the whole team breaks into some sort of flash mob. Except it’s unorganized chaos.
A couple of guys are re-enacting a popular TikTok dance, while another is doing the running man on the opposite side of the rink.
“What is happening?” I laugh, not daring to even blink as I watch the mess unfold before me with the biggest grin on my face. I’m on the edge of my seat, eyes bouncing between each of the players.
The song cuts toApologizeby Timbaland ft One Republic, and the guys all couple up, spinning one another on the ice. Grayson points toward where one of the players is down on his knees, pretending to beg for the other’s forgiveness.
As the chorus hits, Logan comes skating over, a mischievous grin on his face and adoration swimming in his eyes.
“Of course,” Royce drawls, understanding dawning. Still, there’s a small smile playing on his lips as Logan smacks his hand against the plexiglass. I can’t stop smiling as I do one better and press a kiss to my fingers before bringing them to my side of the glass.
He sinks his teeth into his lower lip, and I melt to putty right there and then in a stadium full of people for this incredible man who always manages to put a smile on my face on my darkest days.
The song switches toUnholyby Sam Smith and Kim Petras, and the guys drop to the floor, doing those groin stretches that have women everywhere drooling.
“Don’t look, baby!” Logan yells, flattening himself against the plexiglass. I giggle hilariously as Royce shakes his head, and Grayson rolls his eyes, laughing.
Grenadeby Bruno Mars comes next, and Logan skates away as he and the team form a group in the middle of the ice. They begin to move one by one, small at first, but as the song reaches a crescendo, they spread out over the ice. As they dance to the music, Logan is right in front of me, and I can’t look away from him.
The entire stadium is on its feet, cheering them on without any understanding of what is happening. Their moves are all uncoordinated, and it’s obvious this was thrown together at the last minute, but I love every second of it. The fact he was able to rope the entire team into this… it’s… there are no words.
The song jumps toReal Loveby Martin Garrix and Lloyiso and Logan skates over as a stadium attendant appears and unlocks the door at the end of our row.
Logan steps through as the crowd around us goes crazy. “Pretty sure he’s here for you, Babydoll,” Royce says when I don’t move. Slowly, I get to my feet and shimmy to where Logan is waiting at the end of the row with an outstretched hand.
With his skates on, he towers over me and I have to crane my neck to look up into his face.
“Trust me?” he asks with a hint of vulnerability.
“Always.”
His expression softens, and he gets me to stand one foot on each of his skates as he steps onto the ice. I cling to him. I’m sure this is not at all allowed, but it doesn’t look like Logan cares, so I don’t either.
“You did all of this for me?” I ask, hands around his neck as the stadium passes in a blur and I stare into his eyes.
“Don’t you know by now I’d do anything to make you smile?”
“I’m starting to catch on.”
He twirls me around the ice, and it’s impossible to believe that I was at my lowest last night when I feel so light and happy at this moment. It’s truly a miracle that Logan can bring out the best of me in the hardest of times.
“I would do anything for you, Riley,” he says reverently. “If I could take away your pain, I would. Since I can’t, I’ll settle for ensuring you remember that there may be dark days, but they don't define you. And even when the night seems unending, I’ll be here, holding a lantern of hope and reminding you that dawn is patiently waiting on the horizon.”
Tears track down my cheeks as I stare into his eyes. With one hand wrapped tightly around my waist, he lifts his other to cup my face, brushing my tears aside as the lyricsI’m only human, but I feel like this could be some real, real lovedrapes over us.
Lyrics have never felt more fitting.
The way he looks at me. It steals the air from my lungs. The lines on his forehead soften and a subtle smile plays on his lips as he stares at me with such passion. Such adoration.
“I am so crazily in love with you,” he rasps, voice thick with emotion. “With your strength. Your resilience. Your softness and your fire. There isn’t a thing about you, Riley James, that I don’t love. I know you’re not there yet. That I haven’t earned that, yet I can’t hide how deep I am in this anymore.”
My voice is choked, as more tears race down my cheeks as I cup his face. “How could I not love you, Logan? How could I not love someone who makes it his mission in life to make me smile? It hurt so bad before because I was already halfway in love with you.”
