Page 189 of On His Team

Crowd.

Bench.

Then the red light.

For one stupid second, I stand there like I need confirmation. Then Blue hits me from the side so hard I nearly go down. Stanley gets there next. Benson grabs the back of my helmet. Somebody hits my shoulder. Everybody is yelling.

I look at the net. Puck inside.

2-1.

Mine.

First of the season.

I laugh. I can’t stop it.

Stanley gets both hands on my helmet.

“YOU USED THE FUCKING MIDDLE.”

I shove him.

He is laughing too.

Blue smacks the top of my head. “Finally.”

“Fuck off.”

Benson gets an arm around my shoulders. “Good shot.”

“Thanks.”

Then I look toward the stands. I know exactly where she is. Gianna has both arms over her head. She is screaming so hard her face is red. Lucy has one hand over her mouth. Mara is jumping. Gianna sees me looking. Points at herself. Then at me. Then mouths something.

I can’t make it out. Probably I told you. That would be her.

I smile. Then the guys pull me toward the bench.

Coach taps the top of my helmet when I go by. “About time.”

“Yeah.”

I sit down. My chest is pounding harder than it should be after one rush.

Stanley leans over the boards. “Elite offensive defenseman.”

“Shut up.”

“One goal.”

“I know.”

“In February. Historic.”

I shove his shoulder.

Benson sits beside me. “Enjoy it for thirty seconds.”