Someone on the opposing team shoots the puck hard, and the goalie flings himself across the crease, pads flashing, stick out—and somehow, he catches it!
But then, it all goes wrong.
As soon as he lands, his right leg buckles at an unnatural angle, and Sean, Patty, and their dad all hiss.
The goalie grabs his knee, tipping over, his mask hitting the ice.
The announcer’s saying something about how bad it looks as people rush in from the Arsenal bench.
“The team trainer and doctor,” Patty says to me.
“And those are the EMTs,” Sean adds, pointing to where several men on the big screen are holding a stretcher. He’s shaking his head, jaw tight, like he can feel the injury in his own body.
“It’s a rough sport,” Danny says. “But even if it’s over for him, it’s not the end.” He pats Sean’s back. “It’s just a new beginning.”
Sean winces as the player gets taken off the ice. We watch the last few minutes of the game, but Augusta’s 2-1 win feels almost somber.
Sean leaves tomorrow for a week-long road trip, and with playoffs right around the corner, he won’t have much time to focus and recover. I think we’re all a little surprised no NHL team has called Sean up yet, but with the playoffs coming up and the trade deadline ending today, I’ve gotten the impression that Sean might also be relieved that it hasn’t happened.
The O’Shannan men don’t have the self-esteem they deserve.
I get up and give Danny and Sean hugs—mindful of the bandages beneath Danny’s hoodie—before Patty escorts me through the small, worn but loved house.
The next time I see the O’Shannan boys, it’ll be at Danny’s new house.
So even though leaving Patty for any amount of time makes me feel like my heart is taking a beating, I smile when Patty stops me just before the entry.
“That excited to leave me, Queenie?” Patty says, putting his hands on my hips and tugging me against him.
I thread my fingers together around his neck. “Not quite, Sugar. Just thinking about Danny in his new home.”
Patty scoffs and sways me right, then left. Right, then left. “Danny would be happy living in a box.”
I smile bigger, resting my head on Patty’s shoulder. “He’ll be so much more comfortable,” I say. “But I’m not just thinking ofhim. I’m thinking how happyyou’regoing to be giving him the keys to his new home.”
I hear Patty’s breath catch, and then his arms wrap fully around me, squeezing me tight. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“I don’t want you to go to Parker’s wedding without me.” He kisses my temple. “Although, maybe it’s a good thing I can’t go with you. If I ever get you alone on a private island, I don’t think I’ll be able to share you.”
Heat roars low in my belly.
“And I’m not sure I’d be able to leave,” I murmur as Patty tips my face up toward his.
His breath catches, his forehead pressing to mine like he’s holding onto the moment, onto me. I squeeze my hands at his sides, wishing I could make time stop. I close my eyes as he brushes the tip of his nose along mine, the barest touch, before he pauses right between my brows.
It sends a wave of tingles over my body, making my knees almost buckle.
“If we start kissing,” I whisper, “I’m not gonna be able to stop.”
“You promise?” he asks, his lips barely grazing mine.
Before we can kiss, though, there’s a knock at the door, and we break apart.
Patty tucks me against his side and reaches out to open it.
And we stand there in shock.
