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“Yeah.”
He smirks. “Nice.”
I can’t look at her without smiling. She’s my girl. It’s official now. I didn’t mean to tell her I wanted exclusivity so soon, but it slipped out the other night, and I wasn’t about to take it back. I’m falling. She has to feel it too.
My eyes connect with hers, and she raises a timid wave.Shit, she’s cute when she’s uncomfortable.Then she turns her hand and the “cute” wave transforms into a middle finger, a reminder of who I’m dealing with. I snatch it from the sky like an air kiss and bring it to my lips.
I’m amazed she showed up. And I appreciate it. A lot. It’s a big deal for someone with a work ethic like Freya’s to take a night off and come to one of my games. Especially when she’s trying so hard to save up enough money for the commercial space she’s got her eye on and the deadline drawing near. It’s too bad I’ll be traveling for the next few days. As soon as I get back, she will get a big fat reward for being here tonight.
We’re playing one of our best games this season. I’m skating the best I have yet. We all are, everyone is in tune with each other, and I have a sense of oneness with the team, like I’ve hit my stride. I’ve found my place here.
* * *
Conway passes the puck to Jones, it bounces off the walls a few times, but they gain control as we keep the pressure on, sending it back to the opponent’s end of the ice. Lonan and I cross the blue line as the boys engage in a puck battle up in the goalie’s face. Banks is at the ready, awaiting a pass to flip it in. I’m headed toward the corner in case we need to send it around the back.
There’s a feeling of static in the air, it’s electric, we all feel it right before a goal is made. No one talks about it, but it’s there. As soon as their goalie is wrapped up on the left side of the net, I expect Conway to pass to Banks, but instead, he dekes it to me along the boards. I rush to capture it. Instinct takes over as I sweep by and make a snapshot to the open right side of the goal. The puck sails through the air in slow motion, their tender is still searching the ice, it’s got a clear runway. When the net takes a hit from the black rubber, it billows.
Holy.
Shit.
My first one.
Time seems to stop, but the blaring horn of our goal brings everything back up to speed again. The crowd roars, but the announcer can be heard above it. “A first NHL career goal for Rhys Kucera!”
The boys slam into me, piling on and slapping my helmet with their gloves. The ones on the bench pounding their sticks. I can hardly make out what the guys are saying over the roar of the crowd. All I know is that at this moment, it’s the most support and love I’ve felt in a long time. This team is my family.
“Atta’ boy, Kucy!”
“Whatta fuckin’ play!”
“Kuuuuucera!”
“Yeah, baby!”
“You want the puck?” Conway shouts.
“What?”What does he mean?
“Hey, ref, grab the puck!” Burke yells behind him.
The ref comes over, and Lonan stuffs it in my glove. “First goal, bud! This one’s yours!”
My first puck.There’s no way I’m gonna cry, but I definitely could right now. Strangely, one of my first thoughts is how happy I am that Freya was here to see it. I search the stands and find her staring at me in astonishment. When our eyes meet, I wink at her, and she presses steepled fingers to the big, beautiful smile on her face. Her eyes crinkle at the sides and her smile grows. She’s the bright-red cherry on top of it all.
After my shift, the coaches, Sully, and the rest of the team give me slaps on the back. My heart is pumping, and the adrenaline rush of scoring is nearly overwhelming. I wasn’t sure it would feel different than goals I’ve made in the past, but it does. It’ssodifferent.Fuck, this feels good!One of the assistant coaches takes the puck for me so I can return my focus to the game.
The rest of the night passes in a blur. We win 3-1. My goal is the last one of the night, and it feels damn good, especially since the team we played is ranked well. We exit the ice and start stripping gear. I find the puck sitting on the shelf in my locker, right next to my name plate. I tuck it safely in my bag and fish out my phone. The guys are excited, giving me a few more congratulatory cheers. My face is stuck grinning ear to ear, I might stay like this forever.
Freya: OMG!!!
Freya: I’m so proud of you, Rhys! That was amazing!
Her words hit me right in the chest. I’ve been craving that.
Me: Thanks, gorgeous. Don’t leave yet. Stay in your seat, I’ll have someone come get you. ??
* * *
