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They didn’t have to wait long. Declan came back over. “He took a shot to the collarbone.”
“That hurts like hell.” Jaime knew it firsthand. “So, what now?”
The GM glanced at the player’s bench. “We could put Richie in.”
Declan shook his head, watching as the trainer skated the goalie off the ice. “Nah. It’s LA. They’ll crush us. We’re not starting off like that.”
“Then what?” The GM sounded irritated.
This is a shitty start to the season.He’d wanted to put together the best team, to make it worth Cole’s while, but…it is what it is. He’d done everything he could.
“Look, we’ve got Cole, we’ve got Ross,” Declan said. “We’re trying to make a statement here. We’re not putting in someone who hasn’t shown us he’s got what it takes. We have to intimidate LA. We have to put in the best.” He gave Jaime a chin nod. “Suit up.”
He had no idea what his friend was talking about. “Me?What for?”
“You’re putting Jaime in?” For some reason, Darren didn’t find the idea ridiculous. He sounded okay with it.
Which was just wild.
“You’ve watched him help out the forwards,” Declan said. “How many pucks have gotten past him?”
The GM broke into a smile. “Good thing I had you sign that contract.”
“Guys, shut up. Come on. We have a decision to make.” They stared at him like it had been made. “You can’t put me into an NHL game.”
“We’re playing against a team that hasn’t missed a playoff in a decade,” Declan said. “You bet your ass I’m putting you in.”
A chill skittered down his spine. “That’s not…no.” He couldn’t play. “The game’s livestreamed.”
“So?” Darren asked.
It was their confused expressions that cleared his vision. This was what Gracie was talking about. He played hockey in a barn so Booker wouldn’t see. That was the source of everything. He couldn’t have what he’d stolen from his friend.
And if Booker saw him playing…what would he think?
He thought about Ms. Hayes, how she’d described her son—as the rascal, adrenaline junkie—and then, it all came rushing back. He’d lost sight of who Booker really was. The boy he’d grown up with, the teenager he’d had extreme adventures with.
And he knew right then exactly how Booker would react if he was watching this game and saw Jaime Dupree hit the ice and skate over to the pipes.
His friend would smile.
“You got your gear in the trunk of your car?” Declan asked.
There it is.That familiar energy rushed in. “Yes.” He was pumped. He was ready to go.
He was itching to get on the ice.
Because he knew without a doubt, there was nothing the Cavalcade’s forwards could give him that he couldn’t block.
I am the best goalie for the job.
“Hurry up.” Declan gave him a shove. “Go.”
You better be watching, Booker.“Yeah, man. Give me fifteen minutes.”Because you’re going to love this.
And then he took off.
Because tonight, he’d live his dream.
