I squirmed, dropping my gaze, but he kept hold of my face, ghosting over my cheekbones with his thumbs, careful of the bruise.

Theo said, “You have nothing to be ashamed of. I understand if you don’t want to be with me anymore. You’re pure and good, and I wish I could keep you in bubble wrap so you’re never hurt again. I never want to hurt you again. I’m so happy you won today. You deserve this, and I love you for caring about me when you should be celebrating. Coming to train with you was the best thing that ever happened to me. Not that it was good Mr. Webber died, obviously, but if there’s a heaven he’s watching and he’s so proud of me because I tried my best today. Only one of us could win, and I want you to get up on that podium and sing your anthem—or maybe hum since you don’t sing a lot—and you should enjoy every second of this victory and not worry about me. And I know I’m talking too much like always.”

If not for Theo’s hands grounding me, I would have floated away like a helium balloon. I captured his mouth gratefully, clinging to his now familiar body. Our kisses tasted like salt and surrender.

As Theo’s young teammate exclaimed, “Holy shit, it’s true!” behind us, I smiled.

Then I laughed. And I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to.

On the podium, cheers and applause for me swelled like music filling the air, so thick I could almost touch it. The announcer’s voice saying, “From Canada, Olympic gold medalist Henry Sakaguchi!” echoed in my head on a joyous loop as I waved to the loyal, wonderful audience.

Sam, our parents, and Obaachan were among the thousands, and I couldn’t wait to find them afterward and hug them tightly. They’d supported me my whole life, but at the distance I needed—never smothering or controlling. Ojiichan and I rarely spoke about my skating, but I knew he was proud too.

I clapped for Theo as he was announced. He gave the crowd his beautiful, beaming smile. I couldn’t comprehend how he wasn’t devastated. Tears prickled my eyes again.

But as he hopped up onto the silver position on the podium, he opened his arms and hugged me fiercely. I leaned low, and we were probably embracing for too long. Tongues would wag.

Let them.

“Enjoy the hell out of this, baby!” he shouted in my ear as we held on, the crowd thundering in appreciation of what they might have thought was our good sportsmanship or Olympic spirit.

We finally had to let go of each other—but not for long.

“Okay, Mom. I’m turning off my phone now. I’ll see you all for breakfast in the morning.” Theo hesitated. “Yeah. Love you too.”

His cheeks puffing out as he exhaled, he switched off his phone as promised and tucked it away in the pocket of his coat hanging from the back of the door in my room in the Athletes’ Village. Etienne was spending the night with Sam, so Theo and I were alone.