Five goals. Five orgasms. And a future that includes a ring and babies and forever.
I fall asleep already planning how I’m going to propose.
Because Imeant what I said.
I’m going to marry her. She’s it for me. The ony one. Forever. And someday soon, everyone’s going to know it.
37
JULIETTE
Late April - Round One Division Playoffs, Game 5
The energyin the arena is electric.
Game Five. Up three-one in the series. One win away from advancing to the division finals. If we win this one, we’re twelve wins from the Cup.
I’m sitting in the family section with the other WAGs. Goldie on my left, chattering nervously about the game. Mackie Anderson on my right, quieter than usual with her eyes locked on the ice.
On Zach specifically. Always on Zach.
She’s barely in college and the way she watches him is so obvious. Everyone can see it. But she’s Anderson’s daughter and Zach is, well, Zach is Zach. Oblivious and focused and completely unaware that an eighteen-year-old girl is quietly falling apart watching him.
“They’re going to do it,” Goldie says, gripping my arm. “They’re going to close out the series.”
“Don’t jinx it.”
“I’m not jinxing. I’m manifesting.”
Down on the ice, the teams line up for the opening faceoff.Romeo’s first line, Luca in net, the crowd deafening even through the thick glass.
The puck drops and immediately the game is fast, physical, desperate.
The other team knows they’re facing elimination. They’re playing like it. Hitting hard, getting under our guys’ skin, doing everything they can to stay alive.
Five minutes in, there’s a scrum in front of Luca’s net. Bodies everywhere. Sticks tangled. The whistle blows but the pushing continues.
One of their forwards says something to Luca.
I can’t hear it from up here. Can barely see through all the bodies.
But I see Luca’s reaction.
He goes completely still. Then his whole body tenses like he’s been electrocuted.
“Uh oh,” Goldies daughter Blythe whispers next to me.
The other player skates away and play resumes. Luca makes a save, then another. Everything looks fine.
But two minutes later, their forward is in front of the net again. Says something else.
This time Luca doesn’t hesitate.
He drops his gloves, throws his stick, and launches himself at the player.
The arena erupts.
“Oh my god,” Goldie gasps.
