Page 216 of On the Breakaway

I search her face, my heart racing as it plays catch-up to her being here, in New York, completely unexpectedly.

“Well, it’s a short plane ride, and we had an early practice.”

“So, you came to New York to watch the game.”

“No, I came to New York to support you.” Her cheeks turn pink at the confession.

She’s spent my entire suspension being patient with me. Talking to me while I paced holes into my hardwood floors and taking my hand when I spiraled into all of the what-ifs.

She never once told me to get over it. She also never told me it wasn’t my fault because she knew I’d never believe it. She just sat beside me while I carried it. She stayed. And now, she’s here.

For someone who spent months insisting relationships weren’t for her, she’s pretty damn good at being in one.

The realization makes my heart swell.

“I still can’t believe you’re here. I thought I’d have to get through tonight by myself,” I admit, shaking my head while I turn my attention to the game unfolding below us.

Her hand closes around mine. “Regardless of the outcome, I didn’t want you sitting here alone.”

As though flying to a different state because someone you loved might be lonely was the most obvious decision in the world. I look away before she notices how much that answer affects me. I’ve spent years in relationships forcing feelings when it should’ve felt this simple all along.

“You like me,” I tease.

She shoves my arm. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late.”

She rests her head on my shoulder as I focus back on the game unfolding on the ice. My nerves have steadied, and the anxious voice in my head has quieted, most likely due to the redhead curled into my side. Because of it, I’m able to mostly enjoy the game.

It helps that Nathan wins a battle along the boards and passes it off to Liam, who manages to get it past the goalie. The crowd boos, but everyone in my suite cheers.

We watch most of the game in the same type of comfortable silence. Every time my knee starts to bounce, she sets her hand on it to steady me. Every time my hands close into fists at a close play, she grabs them and laces her fingers with mine.

It’s a comfort neither of us has ever quite known, but something I’ve started craving from her since she crashed into my life.

By the time the clock is winding down on the last few minutes of the game, we’re up by two, and the energy is electric.

We’re going to win.

We’re going to have a chance to fight for the Cup, and I’m going to get to fight for it, too.

“There’s no way the Yeti come back from this,” Avery says, standing from her chair as the entire crowd rises to their feet for the last few minutes.

“No, there’s no way,” I agree, the knot in my stomach loosening entirely with the comfort of knowing that I didn’t throw our entire season away.

And in true cockroach fashion, Damon happens to glance up at the box as the clock ticks down and his team loses possession again. Avery lets go of my hand when she meets his eyes. Before I can ask why, she brings both hands up and flips him off. She tops it off with a tongue out.

God, I fucking love this woman.

I chuckle as he spins back to the game, only for the final ten seconds to ring out around him.

Finally, the final buzzer rings out, and it’s official.

“You’re going for the Cup.”

“We’re going for the fucking Cup!”

I grab her and spin her around while she vibrates with laughter. When I set her back down, her eyes gleam with the same excitement I feel.