As I walked toward the tunnel, I looked up once to the VIP stands.

Elena was standing, cheering with the crowd and she caught my eye, smiling softly.

I held her gaze for another second before Coach called for us to get inside. I turned toward the tunnel with the rest of the team, the noise of the stadium following us all the way down.

By the time we reached the locker room, helmets were coming off, shoulder pads were being loosened, and everyone was talking over everyone else as we caught ...