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I'm laughing when they pile around me.

But I keep looking over their shoulders.

Delaney's laughing too.

Avery grabs her by both arms, says something I can't hear, then points toward me.

Delaney's cheeks go pink.

And I know she understands. That wasn't for the crowd. It wasn't for the cameras. It wasn't even about the goal.

It was for her.

For years, I wore twenty-two because she was the wish I never thought I'd get. Tonight, I'm pointing to the woman who made it come true.

For every time I've made her wonder whether I'd ever be brave enough to choose her. For every moment I let her believe she was something I needed to hide.

I'm done with that.

The puck drops again.

And we've still got a game to win.

Overtime lasts less than three minutes.

Mercer forces a turnover just inside our blue line.

Jax takes off down the right side.

I follow through the middle.

Three-on-two.

Their defense backs up.

Jax sends the puck across.

I could shoot. I've got the angle.

But Mercer is coming hard on the far side, and the goalie has committed to me.

I slide the puck across the crease.

Mercer buries it.

Game over. Phoenixes win, 4–3—the bench empties.

Mercer nearly knocks me over celebrating.

Jax grabs my helmet. “That's my captain!”

I laugh and shove him away.

We gather near center ice before skating toward the tunnel.

I look up one more time.

Delaney's still standing, watching me.