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Chapter One
Flynn
“Are you sure you want to risk everything just to venture off the marked ski trails?”
“Absolutely. Come on, Ryan, live a little,” I tell my teammate with a playful grin.
He shakes his head, concern etching his face. “It’s not wise, buddy. We’re professional hockey players for god’s sake. We can’t afford to risk an injury.”
I nod. “True, but we’re also skilled snowboarders. Trust me, we’ve got this.”
Ryan tightens his gloves with a hesitant expression on his face. “I’m sitting this one out, Lucky Seventeen.”
“Suit yourself,” I say, already turning on the slope to get to the closed-off area I want to explore.
“If you’re not back here in an hour, I’m telling the Search and Rescue Team!” Ryan calls after me.
I grin and give him a thumbs-up.
It’s nice that he’s looking out for me, but I grew up on these slopes and on these mountains. This is not the first time I’ve wandered off the beaten track. Besides, there’s a reason my teammates call me Lucky Seventeen, and it’s not just because of my jersey number. I’m always lucky when I wear the jersey, which is why I’m snowboarding with it underneath my clothes.
I pull my snowboarding goggles back over my eyes and cross the marked ski trail border, ignoring the warnings and stop signs. Some people would say I’m a fool, but I know my limits. Hockey is way too important to me to risk losing it. I wouldn’t put my career on the line for a cheap thrill. I’ve got this.
The wind rushes around me as I zoom through the white landscape. The sky above is a pale blue, and the sun illuminates the snow particles, making them shimmer like tiny diamonds. Man, I love it here. Spending the mid-season hockey break in my own hometown was exactly what I needed. Frosty Crest is the perfect place to clear my head. I need to be in top shape these coming months with the playoffs right around the corner. but a man’s gotta let loose sometimes to blow off some steam, right? It’s exactly why I love venturing off the marked ski trails. No one recognizes me here as there’s simply no one around, and the solitude feels like a long overdue meditation.
I spend the next forty minutes making my way down the mountain in utter bliss, my board carving its way through the fresh powder. When I get to a spot that’s prone to ice patches, I slow down a bit. No need to tempt fate.
I lean into the turn and aim for a perfect arc. I grin as I effortlessly carve through the snow and ice. I wish Ryan could see me now! He’d realize there was nothing to worry about.
I continue my downward journey, enjoying every single second of it, but then I suddenly come across another—and this time, unexpected—patch of ice. My board skids out from under me, and I get hurtled towards the ground. Instinctively, I reach out to break my fall and the impact sends a jolt of shooting pain up my left arm.
Fuck!
I struggle to sit up, my body still reeling with adrenaline. I remove my left glove and push up the sleeve of my coat. My wrist is twisted at an unnatural angle. I try to stand and a wave of nausea washes over me as my ankle crumples beneath me.
Lucky Seventeen, my ass. In all my years of snowboarding, I’ve never so much as broken a finger and now I have a busted wrist and ankle.
I let myself curse for a moment before assessing the situation. My phone can’t get a signal, but I know that Ryan will time my absence and won’t hesitate to call the SAR team on me if I don’t return, so I won’t die out here. Unlucky for me, my older brother works for the SAR team and will kick my ass if he’s on duty today. Brody’s warned me numerous times not to go off the beaten track, and in all my years of snowboarding, I’ve never once listened to his warnings. I can just imagine his I told you so look when he finds me out here. It won’t be pretty, that’s for sure.
What’s worse, though, is the impact this stupid fall will have on my career. Coach is going to be pissed if I can’t get back on the ice in a couple of weeks. Everything I’ve been working for these last months and years will have been for nothing. Well, not nothing, but I’m not dumb. I know that recovery takes a lot of time, opening the door for some eager young player to take my spot.
I can’t feel sorry for myself, regardless of how badly I’m injured. I brought this upon myself, so I’ll have to deal with whatever verdict the doctor will throw at me later today.
I pocket my phone and lie back in the snow, waiting for help to arrive. The pain is really coming through now.
As I lie here, I can’t help but replay the moment of the fall in my head. The sickening crunch I heard as my arm twisted beneath me and the sharp, shooting pain right after. Why didn’t I see that patch of ice? I’m usually really good at spotting those.
I grit my teeth as another jolt of pain shoots through me, but I refuse to let this setback derail me from my career dreams. The mere thought of disappointing my teammates and my coach gnaws at me. I’ll do whatever it takes to bounce back stronger than before. This will be my chance to prove to everyone that I’m not just Lucky Seventeen on the ice, but off it as well. I’ll make a swift recovery and still help lead the Frosty Fury Falcons to victory.
While I’m trying to focus on something other than the pain, I hear the roar of snowmobiles. I prop myself up and spot the Search and Rescue team in the distance.
Brody is clearly with them. I recognize his big and burly frame in a heartbeat. I’m big too, but not like my older brother. He looks like a giant compared to anyone.
He and his colleague Owen cut their engines and jump off the snowmobiles.
I give my brother a sheepish smile. “Hey, brother.”
He scowls at me. “Seriously, Flynn? Couldn’t have thought of a better way to let me know you’re back in town, huh?”
