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Josie
Only three minutes left in the third period, and my breath was lodged in my throat. Every shift, every pass, could put us in the final four. I couldn’t watch, but I couldn’t not watch either. My best friend on the planet sat on the bench, waiting for his next shift. Evan could win the game. He just needed to get on the ice.
Neither team could clear the puck. My head swiveled back and forth, waiting for an attack. I glanced to the bench where Evan sat. He was focused, but he was impatient too. His blue eyes darkened and narrowed with every second. He wanted to be out there against the other team’s current line. The blood rushed through my body as his gaze turned toward me. For the last four years, I’d sat in the same spot. He knew where to find me.
It was a quick glance, but it said everything. I got this.
His confidence on the ice rivaled any pro. Evan Brandon wasn’t going to the NHL, he just wanted to play hockey and have fun. I swelled with pride at being his friend, at just knowing this amazing man. But it was so much more than that. He meant so much more than that.
Amber screamed beside me, then nudged me in the ribs. Her popcorn spilled over the top of the container that sat in her lap, scattering under my favorite black boots. The arena reeked with a mixture of scents that you’d find in a bar and movie theater, but there was still something about it that added to the entire hockey experience.
I loved every minute of this game from the crazy fans, to the stench of the arena, to the chill in the air.
Amber pointed to crease where the ref blew the whistle calling the other team for icing. “This is intense.” She sipped her water as the teams lined up for a face off and put the now mostly empty popcorn down.
“He’s going to be moody if they lose.” My gaze was glued to Evan as he jumped over the boards and skated to the circle. Two minutes left. His dark brown hair plastered around his thick neck and over his forehead; I wanted nothing more than to smooth it out of the way. Evan bent over, waiting for the puck to drop. I leaned toward the glass, anxiously waiting for the same thing. Now that he was back on the ice, I wasn’t taking my eyes off him. My foot tapped, crushing the mess of popcorn under my soles, the dull crunch reverberating through the crowd surrounding us.
“You’re telling him tonight either way.” It wasn’t a question or even an order, just a statement. That’s what I liked about Amber. She wasn’t pushy or demanding; she just was.
“If they win.” I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye as the ref waved Evan out of the faceoff circle. He glared at the guy before Wyatt moved in to take the faceoff instead. “If they don’t, I’ll tell him tomorrow.”
She didn’t reply, but she didn’t have to. I knew the meaning of the look on her face like I knew the back of my hand. Amber was petite, blonde, and perfect in every way. If Michael hadn’t asked her out, Evan would’ve made a play for her. She was just his type. I was the opposite. Tall, curvy, with stringy brown hair that only looked decent if I colored it, and a nose only a mother could love; all of which added up to be exactly the type of girl Evan didn’t go for. That’s probably why I had always just accepted being his friend.
The ref dropped the puck and the players’ sticks urgently cracked before we took control. Evan, Wyatt Birch, and Damon Anderson on forward along with Lucas Everett and Michael Jacks on defense settled into a play, making the other team defend their net.
Wyatt camped in front of the goalie, ready for a rebound.
Thirty seconds left.
It was almost like a power play.
Michael passed to Lucas, the captain of the team. He pulled his stick back for a slapshot, and the defenseman dropped to the ice to block it. Lucas had scored like that so many times, so it was a surprise when he faked out and slid the puck to Evan.
I held my breath.
Evan deked right, then flipped a backhand over the stick side of the goalie.
It hit the post with a loud, metallic ting, ricocheting in front of the net.
Wyatt was right there waiting, and before the goalie had time to react, he slammed the puck through the five-hole.
The entire arena leaped to their feet, screaming. There was still time, but that play felt like the nail in the coffin. We didn’t stop screaming as they dropped the puck at center ice for the final fifteen seconds. We didn’t stop screaming as the other team made frantic shots that our goalie, T.J., turned away without any drama. And we didn’t stop screaming as Ike, another forward on our team, scored an empty net goal with just a second left.
I grasped Amber in a tight hug while the crowd roared around us. She loved hockey as much as I did, but she loved Michael more. The fact he played hockey was just bonus. They were a great couple. He doted on her, and she returned every ounce of affection tenfold. They were the type of people romance novels were written about.
Amber flipped her light brown hair out of her green eyes, flashing her infectious smile, and I returned it readily.
I could tell she wanted to say something, but before I could ask, she grabbed my shoulders and looked me in the eyes with far too much seriousness. “You’re telling him. Tonight.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. It could ruin everything. What if it screws with his game? I mean, they’re going to play for the championship—”
“Stop. You do this all the time. Stop putting his happiness before yours. There’s two months left before graduation. Time’s running out, Josie. Tell him.” She pulled me in for another hug, and pure jubilation reappeared on her face. “I can’t believe they won. Michael’s going to be on cloud five hundred.”
I laughed and we bounced up and down in excitement. Evan would be right up there with him after getting the game winning assist.
At least until I yanked the rug out from under his feet and told him the truth...
That I was head over heels in love with him.
