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The three veterans saluted their teammates with their sticks. A loud cheer arose in response.
Pete skated over to me, our blades nearly touching. "Ready to kick off this season, Hoss?"
I looked at him, his eyes reflecting the bright arena lights, and I felt the weight of the moment settle over us. This was it—the dawn of our first full season leading the Cold Pines Cougars.
"Ready as I'll ever be," I replied.
"Then let's do this," Pete said, blowing the whistle hanging from his neck.
As the team sprang into motion, sticks hitting pucks and skates carving ice, Pete and I joined the fray.
The new season would be amazing—I could feel it in my bones.
Epilogue - Pete
Five years passed in the blink of an eye, and I found myself standing at center ice in the empty Cold Pines Cougars Arena. With the community’s never-ending support, we’d turned the team into a perennial minor league powerhouse.
While I looked around, Hoss glided over, his skates carving perfect arcs into the ice. "You know, I think that banner over there has my name on it," he smirked, pointing to one of the championship banners hanging from the rafters.
"Your name? Last time I checked, these banners were a team effort."
"A team brilliantly assisted by Moi," he insisted as he crossed his arms over his chest and winked at me.
“Assisted might be the most important word there,” I grinned.
“You know, there once was a day, before all this, when I scored goals all on my own,” Hoss said, alluding to his years as a player.
"Ah, the glory days—when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and you didn't need reading glasses."
"Low blow, Pete," he laughed, nudging me gently with his shoulder. "But let's not forget, I’ve spotted a few grays peeking through that blond mop of yours."
I feigned shock. "Grays add distinction.”
"Distinguished or not, they still mean you're getting old, just like the rest of us," Hoss said, circling me slowly on his skates.
As he passed by, I tapped him on the back as if tagging him in a kids’ game. "You're it!"
Hoss laughed loudly, a rich, heartwarming sound that filled the empty arena. "Are you kidding me? Tag? What are we, twelve?"
"Nope, but we've got an empty rink and a few minutes to kill. You scared you’ll lose, old man?"
Hoss looked at me. "Scared? Of you? Never."
He took off then, skating away from me at a breakneck speed with more laughter echoing in the air. I chased after him, feeling lighter and more carefree than I had in ages.
After a couple of laps, I finally caught up to him, tagging him squarely on the shoulder. "Gotcha!"
Hoss skidded to a stop, turning to face me. “Okay, you got me, but remember, I let you win."
"Sure you did," I said, drawing him close and planting a quick kiss on his lips.
"Town Council meeting tonight," he reminded me, his breath visible in the chilly air.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Later, standing at a podium in the Cold Pines Town Council chamber, I felt a different kind of spotlight on me. I spoke about strengthening our community, sustaining local businesses, and creating opportunities for everyone. The applause afterward wasn't just for me; it was a collective cheer for the town's future.
"Thinking of running for mayor," I told Hoss as we slipped into bed that night.
