Page 270 of Cross Check

“We’re excited too,” Brenda says. “The response to women’s hockey has reached an all-time high, and we’re grateful for the impact you both are having on the sport. We’re also excited to extend an invitation to you.”

“To me? For what?” I blink. “I haven’t picked up a stick in years.”

“We want you to be the head coach of the women’s team. We have a robust roster of athletes ranging from collegiate to current PWHL players, and we can’t think of a better person to lead them to a gold medal.”

“Y-you want me to coach the women’s Olympic team?” I repeat, wanting to make sure I heard her correctly. I don’t think I did because my ears are ringing. My elbow slips off the table, and I have to be missing a big piece of information. “But I—you… there’s… are you positive you want me?”

“Yes.” Brenda smiles. “And we don’t just want you. We want you to bring us home the gold medal.”

“Fuck,” I mumble. My cheeks burn when I realize what I’ve said, and I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “I’m so sorry. I’m just… this was the last thing I was expecting when I walked in here. Can you—who else are you… how many… I’m still trying to wrap my head around what’s going on.”

“There will be sixteen coaches,” the man to Brenda’s right chimes in. “With positions ranging from Team Physician to Player Development Coach. We’ve put together the brightest and most elite names in the sport to give us the best shot to win on a global stage.”

“And that includes you,” Brenda says.

“This is the biggest moment in my career, and I don’t know if I want to cry or throw up.” I swallow my emotions down. Now is not the time to show vulnerability. “Yes. Yes, I would love to join the women’s team.”

I really think I’m about to throw up.

This is quite literally the top of the coaching pyramid. It doesn’t get much bigger than this, and I have to pinch the inside of my wrist—the soft spot where my tattoo sits—to make sure I’m not hallucinating.

“Great answer,” Brenda says. “We know you’ve been working with men—and Emmy—this season, but we’re confident your coaching style will translate to the women’s game play without any bumps in the road. Our plan was to send everything over to your agent later today after the official announcement is made, and we’ll go from there as far as travel, practices, and introducing you to the players you’ll be working with.”

“Thank you so much for this opportunity. It’s been a long eight years since the last time the women brought home a gold medal from the Games, and I’m honored for the chance to make it happen this year.” I grin at the room. “I can’t wait to get to work.”

Formalities are exchanged. I hand over my agent’s contact information, and Darcy and I have a small celebration when the members from the PWHL leave. Focusing during practice is almost impossible, and by the time I finish my day, I’m high from the rush of excitement I’ve been riding since this morning.

I call Lainey and Sienna in the car to tell them the good news. I follow it up with a call to my dad, and when the official announcement gets shared to ESPN, I screenshot the headline so I can remember this day forever.

By the time I get home, I’m oscillating between crying and screaming. Grant is in the kitchen, and when he sees me, he lights up.

“I made the team,” he says in a rush of words, sweeping me off my feet and spinning me around. “I didn’t think I’d land a roster spot, but Coach pulled me aside before practice and presented me with a jersey and everything. I got choked up.” Grant sets me down, laughing as he fixes my sweatshirt. “Me. Representing the U.S. men’s hockey team. I had a Miracle poster on my wall as a kid growing up, and I—what’s wrong?”

His eyebrows pinch together. He cups my cheeks, turning my head from side to side. His eyes rake over me, and his smile melts to a frown.

“What?” I ask, in a daze.

“Are you okay? You’re pale, and your pupils are huge,” he says.

“I’m still in a state of shock.” I pause, and that’s when I burst into tears. “I’m the head coach for the women’s Olympic team.”

“Holy shit. Are you—Lia. Are you serious? When did—how—oh my fucking god.” He sweeps me in his arms again. Grant holds me so tight, I can’t breathe. “Why the fuck did you let me go on about my roster spot when you were waiting to tell me you’re the head fucking coach of an Olympic team? How did this happen? I need all the details.”

“Brody texted me this morning and let me know I wasn’t going to be on the men’s staff, and it bummed me out. Darcy let me know she needed to see me before practice started, and when I got to the conference room, members of the PWHL executive board were there.” My hands shake as I tell the story. How long is it going to take me to wake up from this dream? “They told me they were extending me an invitation to be the head coach on the women’s side, and I accepted it.”

“Fuck. Hell. Oh my god.” Grant is laughing and crying at the same time. His tears track down his cheeks, and I try to wipe them away for him. “I’m just… look at what you’re doing, baby. The world you’re building. The dreams you’re chasing. The barriers you’re not just breaking, but fucking shattering,” he says, the words flying out of him a mile a minute. I feel his support for me down in my soul. “We’ll get to be there together. How cool is that?”

“It’s the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me. We’ll get a chance to play for a gold medal at the Olympics. How many people can say that?”

“Not many, but we can. God. I can’t believe we get to be on this journey together.”

“Me either. The women’s roster is stacked, Grant. Emmy was named the captain, and I’ve never seen a more talented group of athletes playing for the same team.”

“And they’re going to be led by the most talented woman in the sport. Come here.” He wraps me in another hug. I burrow into his chest, wanting to stay in this moment of happiness forever. “I love you. I love you so fucking much, Lia, and I’m so proud of you.”

“I love you too, and I’m sorry for stealing your thunder about your own announcement. I’m so proud of you too, honey. You’ve worked so hard to carve out a spot for yourself on the Stars and in the league, and I’m so glad your talent is being recognized by your peers. You’re going to have the best time, and I can’t wait to be in the crowd to watch you win.”

“Don’t you dare apologize. My thunder is your thunder.” Grant kisses me soft and slow. My mind drifts to us walking next to each other in the Opening Ceremony. “Come on. We need to celebrate.”