Chapter 324

All around me, the stadium echoed with the intensity of the last few minutes of the game.

The players moved at a frenetic pace, each moment on the rink more nail-biting than the last. Enzo’s team was a goal down, but I knew better than to lose hope, especially with Enzo’s uncanny ability to pull something extraordinary out of the bag.

And then, with seconds to spare, he did just that.

Enzo pivoted around an opponent with unbelievable grace, sending the puck flying through the air in a mesmerizing arc. The goalie dove, but he was just a fraction of a second too late. The puck landed with a thud inside the net, signaling the tie. The cheers and gasps of the crowd filled the air, an explosive mix of tension and exhilaration.

Overtime ensued, and the pressure was palpable. I could see Enzo speaking to his teammates, probably devising some strategy. With only a minute left, he executed a feint that seemed impossible, evading two defenders and netting the winning goal with a finesse that left the entire stadium stunned.

The crowd erupted. The roar was deafening. Enzo’s teammates swarmed him, lifting him onto their shoulders in a triumphant parade around the rink. It was a spectacle, a celebration of skill, teamwork, and sheer willpower. Enzo’s face was alight with joy, but as his gaze met mine, the brilliance of his smile deepened.

Despite the turmoil in my heart, I couldn’t help but smile back, pride and love overwhelming every other emotion. Tonight was his night, his victory. The looming uncertainties could wait, at least for now.

“He’s unbelievable, isn’t he?” Lori whispered, leaning into me.

“Yes,” I murmured, my eyes still locked with Enzo’s. “He really is.”

Jessica nudged me playfully. “So, you’re just going to let him bask in the glory tonight and drop the bomb tomorrow?”

I exhaled, feeling the weight of the unspoken again. “I promised I’d take the test tomorrow, Jess. And I will. But tonight... tonight is for him.”

Lori raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure, Nina? It’s big news. Don’t you think he should know sooner rather than later?”

“Lori, I’m not even sure if there’s news to share yet,” I responded, a bit defensively. “Let’s not jump to conclusions.”

Jessica interjected, her tone softening. “We just care about you, Nina. And Enzo. We want what’s best for both of you.”

I squeezed her hand gratefully. “I know. And I promise, first thing tomorrow, I’ll find out.”

The crowd’s cheers were beginning to settle down when the stadium’s speakers buzzed to life.

“Hey everyone!” Enzo’s voice boomed, causing a fresh wave of cheers. “I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all. This victory, it isn’t just mine, it’s all of ours.”

There were loud cheers of agreement. He paused for a moment, letting the applause die down.

“But I also have an announcement to make.” He hesitated, just a beat too long, and I felt a flutter of unease in my stomach. He wasn’t….

He continued. “At the end of this semester, I’m leaving Mountainview… for a new opportunity. And tonight was my last game here.”

The crowd gasped, a collective sound of surprise and dismay.

I felt my heart lurch. I hadn’t expected him to announce his departure publicly like this. I had been under the impression that he would leave quietly, or maybe make a social media post announcing Matt as the new captain. Considering how much people loved Enzo here, it was certain to cause outrage. I thought that he wanted to avoid that.

He wasn’t done, though. “I know this might be unexpected for many of you. And trust me, this place, this team, all of you... you hold a special place in my heart. But every end is a new beginning. And speaking of beginnings, I’d like you all to cheer for the new captain of our team, Matt!”

There was a mix of cheers and murmurs, but eventually, the stadium’s atmosphere shifted to congratulate and support Matt, who looked both humbled and elated.

Lori and Jessica looked at me, their expressions a mix of shock and sympathy.

“Did you know he was going to say that?” Jessica whispered.

I shook my head, struggling to find my voice. “No... I had no idea.”

…

The last echoes of Enzo’s announcement were still reverberating in the stadium when two familiar faces appeared beside me. The freshman girls from the bathroom. They both had an air of barely contained excitement and curiosity.

“Nina!” one of them began, her voice high-pitched and breathless. “Did you know Enzo was going to quit the hockey team?”

The other nudged me slightly and added, “Yeah, why didn’t you drop any hints about it earlier? You two are, like, always together!” The way that she was leaning close to me, her shoulder brushing against mine, indicated that she saw us as ‘friends’ after our brief meeting in the bathroom.

I blinked, taken aback by their forthrightness. Before I could even muster a response, the first girl leaned in even closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “And, like, are you sure you aren’t pregnant? If you are, what are you gonna do? Everyone would be so excited.”

The barrage of questions and the prying eyes made me feel as if I were under a microscope. I tried to find words, but my mouth felt suddenly dry.

Thankfully, Lori, always the one to stand up for her friends, stepped in before I could fumble for a response. “Excuse me, ladies,” she said, her voice cool but polite, “but it’s not Nina’s job to give ‘hints’ about Enzo Rivers’ life. Or answer personal questions for that matter.”

The two freshmen looked taken aback, clearly not expecting to be reprimanded. The first one tried to defend herself. “We were just curious. It’s not like we meant any harm.”

Jessica snorted, unable to hide her amusement. “Maybe next time, think before you invade someone’s personal space with a dozen questions. Nina isn’t a tabloid.”

The girls mumbled something that sounded like an apology, their faces a mix of embarrassment and indignation. As they scurried off, I let out a relieved sigh.

“Thanks, Lori. I really wasn’t ready for that.”

Lori waved a hand dismissively, “No need to thank me. Those two were beyond nosy. A bit of a reality check was in order.”

We all laughed. “Oh, the joys of being married to a celebrity, huh?” Jessica added.

I rolled my eyes. “I never thought dating a small town college hockey player would come with this kind of attention. It’s like being with a rock star.”

Lori smirked. “Well, to be fair, Enzo is basically a hockey deity in this little town. It’s no surprise you’re getting a bit of the spotlight too.”

I groaned playfully. “I could do without the spotlight, thank you very much.”

Jessica leaned back in the bleachers, her eyes scanning the dispersing crowd. “You might want to get used to it. With Enzo’s talent and his new opportunities? The attention is only going to increase.”

Lori nodded in agreement. “Jess is right. This is only the beginning. But, on the bright side, you’ll always have us to fend off the overly nosy freshmen!”

I chuckled, imagining a future filled with Lori scaring away gossip-hungry fans. “Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without you two. Being Enzo’s wife might come with its challenges, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Both Lori and Jessica smiled warmly at me. “And we wouldn’t trade our friendship with you for anything either,” Jessica said, wrapping an arm around me.

“Through thick and thin, celebrity husbands and all!” Lori said, causing all three of us to burst out in laughter.