AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We’re four goals to two. I want to get another one in the net before we wrap things up for the night.
“It’s on,” I say to Ace as I skate around him in a circle. I know the commentators will be having a field day with me goading him.
“Fuck off,” he barks.
I just laugh. I stopped being intimidated a long time ago. And I’m not always a cocky bastard, but something about tonight has me acting a little out of character, and a little more feisty. I’m ready to give the crowd what they want.
I’m everywhere in those last minutes. Jake, my right-wing man, covers the left defenseman for the Kings on the point and cuts him off, passing lanes to the slot.
Sliding the puck over to me, I dodge our opposing defensemen. Passing to Jay, he distracts his guy by taking a fake shot and sending it back to me.
It’s now or never as there must be seconds on the clock. I take my shot, slamming it right through the center as their massive goalkeeper lunges, and misses.
The crowd roars as the buzzer blares out as we all skate to the center and celebrate our victory. Coach has a big smile on his face for once. And I know her eyes must be on me right now.
“Good play,” Ace mutters to me. He may be many things, but surprisingly, one thing he isn’t is a sore loser. “I’ll see you in New York.”
I knock my hockey stick against his in a seemingly friendly gesture—well, it’s as friendly as it can get. “Your fucking defense hurt,” I mutter back. “But better luck on home turf, eh.”
This was a big win for us. And we both know the next game in New York is important since if we win, we move to the next round.
“Sweet play.” Ty pats me on the back with his meaty, gloved hand.
“Looks like your girl’s leaving…” Jay jibes, nodding over our heads.
Wait, what?I spin around as I see the girls out of their seats. But they aren’t leaving, they’re cheering. I see Emmerson’s friends jumping up and down while she’s waving a fucking Hawks flag. My eyes nearly bug out of their sockets.
“Made you look!” Jay shoves me in the shoulder and skates behind coach so I can’t get a swipe at him.
“Fast fucker,” I mutter.
“Hey, who the fuck is wearing my jersey?” Ashton lifts his helmet up and squints over to the same place I’m looking. I don’t have my eyes on anyone but Emmerson, so I can’t rightly answer him.
I don’t waste another second. I skate forward to the edge of the rink and bang on the glass, so freaking loud my teammates all turn to look at me.
One thing I notice is that Emmerson sure as hell ain’t wearing anyone’s jersey, but she stops waving her flag and stares at me. Everything in the crowd seems to disintegrate.
The noise dulls.
The blaring of the crowd goes quiet.
The only awareness I have in this second is my heart hammering in my chest.
I feel the air in my lungs wringing me out, like someone is squeezing a wet hand towel dry.
Another awareness hits… oh boy, she’s as gorgeous as she ever was.
Did I ever expect anything different?
Her lips purse, but she doesn’t look away. Then she blinks and gives me a little smile. I rip my helmet off and contemplate for longer than necessary, like I’m really deciding if I want to talk to her… and of course I do. In that moment, I feel a rush, just like the one I felt on the ice and that won us the game.
The pull to talk to her is so strong I nod toward the barricade, indicating she should come down. I’ve clearly lost my mind.
She nods and says something to her friends.
I feel a pat on my shoulder.
“Nice one.” Ashton chuckles beside me as the players start to disperse.
