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There’s no way I’ve had time to look over to my parents sitting in the crowd.
But I can see the ends of her red hair from under the Hawks hat she has on.
My chest cavity beats harder than it ever has before. I feel the rush.
I feel the pain of my ribs ease. I hear the excitement of the crowd, and I know I’m gonna make this my best ever. And I’m gonna do it for her, for us. To be the best that I could ever be out here.
“Game on,” I say to myself as the siren calls.
My first goal comes thick and fast, as I dodge and weave, going around Josh and taking a fast flick shot, straight up and over the goalkeeper's shoulder, landing into the right of the net. The crowd goes berserk, and frankly, it’s the finals, so I guess it’s time for me to let loose. My teammates skate over, and we momentarily celebrate while I wave my stick up in the air.
“That was fucking fast,” Ty muses, giving me a hard pat on the back.
“My girl’s in the crowd,” I shout back at him.
He shakes his head as play resumes.
It’s like we can do no wrong going into the second period. I’m everywhere. Jay intercepts a shot from the Heat taking a score, flicking it halfway down the ice to me, where there’s no defense on me. I pull my arm back to my shoulder and take the shot.
It flies, at what seems like a million miles per hour into the net. Four goals to two.
The crowd erupts once more, and I take the team’s excitement and pile it on top of the feeling I have circulating through me.
She’s fucking here.
She wants me.
Something is happening to me out here that’s never felt this way before.
I feel fucking invincible. Whenever Josh intercepts, I tackle roughly to get the puck back and slam him a few times of my own into the barrier. I can see the fans going wild in the background. From there, Jake makes an impossible shot from the midline that’s so fucking fast and on point, no-one can stop it. Least of all the goalie who lands on his side, twisting against the goal post as he lands awkwardly in his attempt.
Five-two.
Coach Carter is going nuts on the side. He knows we’re unstoppable, and I feel it more than I ever have before.
It’s not just the fact she’s here. I’ve played a million great games without her, but having her here, knowing she came for me, it’s the best feeling in the world.
* * *
Emmerson
We slide into the stands a little late. Cindy was behind the players’ bench, but when she sees us, she moves down to the front, as we got ring-side seats. Mom came along to watch as dad wanted us to go out and enjoy ourselves, but he’s watching the game from the comfort of his lounge. Mom has him set up with everything he needs while he’s resting.
It didn’t take me long to realize how much I was missing Taylor over the past few days. As soon as he called me that night, I wanted to meet up with him when he returned from Vegas. But I knew I couldn’t. We had to be smart about it and take a few days to really figure out how we felt in our hearts. And being apart sealed the deal for me.
I love him. I’ve always loved him. I want to support him.
And for the time being, if it means moving back to Seattle to be with him, then so be it. I don’t care anymore. I just want him and to make up for all the lost time we’ve missed out on. A new beginning, if he wants to.
When he first glances toward me, after I think Ashton gave him the heads up I was here, I can tell he’s smiling. I’ve seen him looking over to the players’ bench a few times, and I’m certain he was looking for me.
He doesn’t know it yet, but I’m wearing his Hawks jersey #22 under my thick jacket.
Cindy helped with that, along with a matching hat and scarf with the team colors.
Nothing makes me happier right now than being here with mom on one side, and Cindy and Susie on the other as we watch the game together.
His mom and dad sit behind us, they greeted us with hugs and smiles when we got there. She seems a lot brighter than when I saw her last time, which is great.
