Page 194 of Lose You Twice

He looks out over the room, waiting until the noise settles. “I’ll keep this short because I know half of you have been eyeing the dessert table since you walked in.”

Weston lifts his fork in acknowledgment.

Coach points at him. “Mostly Cooper.”

“Chop-chop, Coach,” Weston says.

More laughter moves through the room.

Coach shakes his head, but he’s smiling. “This season has asked a lot from this group. More than most. We’ve had injuries. Line changes. Long road trips. Games where we flat-out earned the win and games we had no business winning, leading us to an undefeated season.” His gaze moves over the tables. “Somehow, through all of it, they kept showing up for each other.”

Something shifts in the room.

I glance at Kai.

He’s watching Coach, expression calm, but his fingers tighten slightly against my leg.

“We talk a lot about talent in hockey,” Coach continues. “Speed, strength, hard work. All of that matters. But talent isn’t what gets you through a season. Your team does.”

My throat tightens unexpectedly.

Maybe because I know what that feels like now.

Coach announces a few awards, then picks up a larger plaque.

“Our next award is the Team MVP.”

Weston immediately sits straighter. “Finally.”

Asher doesn’t look at him. “Shut up and stay in your seat.”

“This one is voted on by the team. The guy they trust when things go bad. The guy they want beside them when the game gets ugly.”

My attention goes to Kai before Coach even says his name.

“Kai Mercer.”

The room erupts. Grayson is on his feet first, clapping Kai hard on the shoulder. Weston starts chanting “speech” before Kai even has the time to stand up.

Kai looks genuinely caught off guard.

He’s so prepared for everything. Practice schedules, game film, ready to help anyone. But this?

He didn’t expect this.

I squeeze his hand; his eyes meet mine.

“Go,” I whisper.

He heads toward the podium while the applause follows him.

Coach hands him the plaque, says something I can’t hear, then steps aside.

Kai stares at the microphone like he’d rather take a slap shot to the ribs.

Weston cups his hands around his mouth. “Tell us how much you love us!”

Kai looks directly at him and grins. “Less every day.”