Page 95 of The Fall

It was a close competition, which is what we expected. We were neck and neck with Canada but managed to score a teensy bit higher, pushing us ahead.

It feels surreal. This thing, this lifetime goal of mine, my biggest dream, is here. It’s accomplished. I fucking did it.

I can’t even pay attention to what anyone is saying. All I can focus on is Logan’s hand gripping my waist, the feel of his body behind me, and his lips next to my ear saying over and over again, “I love you. I’m so proud of you.”

Somehow, I manage to wipe the tears from my cheeks, hoping my waterproof mascara is holding up. We’re ushered from the podium straight to a line of TV cameras.

“Logan, Savannah. How are you feeling right now?” someone asks.

Like I’m about to pee myself. Even after a lot of interview training, I know that’s not appropriate to say, so I look up to Logan. He squeezes my hand, calming my shakiness.

“I’m not sure. We haven’t had a second to think about our feelings yet. We’re elated, obviously. We’re sad that it’s over. But so proud of how hard we worked to get here.”

“Logan, you’ve been here before. Does this win feel any different with Savannah by your side?”

Yeah, the skating community really went crazy when they found out we were together. Not only were there several articles written about it, but so many social media fan accounts have popped up. Honestly, some of the fan edits I’ve seen are amazing. Better than anything I could create. Some have even gone viral, which created even more buzz about us.

“Every medal is special for different reasons, but doing this with Savannah has been extra special. She had a goal, and she was determined to reach it. I’ve never seen anyone work harder than she has. I know we’re a team, but she’s done all the hard work. She’s amazing, and I still can’t believe she even lets me skate with her.”

Swoon. If I weren’t already in love with him, that would’ve made me fall right there.

“What are your plans after this?”

“Immediate plans? Food! But after that, we’re finally going to take the time to start planning our wedding,” he explains. I think he’s more excited about wedding planning than I am.

Logan proposed to me once the season ended last year. He actually forced me to take time off from the rink and booked us a week at a resort in Mexico. It was the first time I’ve taken a true vacation in years. It felt really nice. On our last night, he planned a private sunset cruise and asked me to marry him.

Of course, I said yes. With a caveat that it would not be until after the Olympics, though, assuming we got invited to attend, which he agreed to, no questions asked.

Our families were thrilled to say the least.

“Congratulations, you two. Well deserved!”

We move on to the rest of the interviews until we’re finally done. We find an area where not too many people are, and Logan pulls me into him and wraps his arms around me. He holds me until my body stops shaking. Everything has happened so fast, and I’m overwhelmed. There’s been a camera in my face every day since we set foot in Italy, whether it was a TV camera or someone filming something for social media. I need time to decompress.

“Are you ok?” Logan asks.

I nod against his chest. “I just need to get out of here.”

He holds me for a moment longer before he says, “Let’s go, baby.”

We each grab our things and find our parents. Natalia and my family flew in to watch us compete. Natalia is doing so well these days. She’s gotten amazing reports from all of her doctors recently. I know Logan is still worried about her, which I understand, but I know Natalia feels good. She’s recently started coaching again at the rink in Colorado. She teaches a kids’ beginners class a few days a week, and she’s having a blast. She told me a few weeks ago that she feels like she can live again.

She’s most excited to help us plan our wedding, though. When Logan proposed, she practically kicked him out of their house. She wanted us to be together, but I think she was also tired of his hovering. We’d basically been living together in my apartment anyway, but he officially moved his stuff in after that. Kelsey was happy to have him with us but moved out a few months ago. After graduating, she got her first real job in Colorado Springs and moved out of town. It was sad to see her go, but I’m super excited for her.

If I thought the tears were over, I was wrong. When we find our parents, there are more hugs and tears. My entire face is going to be swollen tomorrow. I can already feel it.

We leave the venue and make our way back to the Olympic Village. Logan and I quickly change and meet everyone else for dinner. On our way to the restaurant, I get a text from Max.

Max: Congratulations! I knew you could do it.

I quickly heart the message and shove my phone back in my pocket. It took a while for us to get to a good place. We still aren’t where we used to be, but we’ve had a few cordial lunches and text every now and then. He got a better job in the corporate world, and he’s had a few girlfriends but none that have really worked out. He seems fine, though. Happy at least. He doesn’t seem to miss skating at all, which makes my heart hurt. I hate to think he went through everything we did for years when he didn’t even like it, but I’m trying not to dwell on the past.

“Max texted,” I tell Logan. As far as I know, the two of them haven’t spoken since Max left, but I don’t think Logan feels any ill will toward him, just indifference.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. It’s weird thinking you’ll be somewhere with one person and then all of a sudden they’re gone. Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than happy with how things worked out in the end. It’s just wild how things can change.”