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I’m flat on the ice, pain shooting through my ribs and chest when I try to breathe.
I look into the crowd and find Phoebe’s eyes. They’re wide with concern, her hand covering her mouth, her attention riveted on me, paying no mind to the game that’s still going on.
Seeing concern for me in her eyes … fuck, it does something to me.
I need her to know I’m okay.
I force myself up.
And when I look at her, she’s smiling.
She stands up, clapping her hands together over her head, still looking at no one but me. She screams something, and obviously I can’t hear it and this distance and over the deafening sound of the crowd, but I can swear I read my name on her lips.
That’s all it takes to get me back in the game.
I pump my legs as my blades slice across the ice. One of Ohio’s players is controlling the puck and skating into position for a shot on our goal, but I intercept them and win the puck for myself.
I break away and skate towards Ohio’s goal. I’ve got a clean shot, and I fire it home. The net billows out behind the goalie, and we’re suddenly up 2-1.
The crowd erupts, and my eyes find Phoebe’s again. She’s jumping up and down, and if I didn’t know any better, I could swear I detect a trace of pride in her eyes as she looks at me.
It’s something Ineedto see again.
Wanting to make Phoebe react like that one more time tonight, I win the next puck drop, and after passing back and forth with Liam, deke past an Ohio defender and score another goal.
My teammates rush to me in celebration, jostling me, leaping onto me, patting my helmet; but my attention is on nothing but the pretty red haired girl in the stands who’s cheering for me.
The game ends 3-1. After tonight, the media’s going to have to reevaluate who the favorites for the championship really are this year. Because the Hot Shots are back.
Spirits are high back in the locker room as we shower and change. Before I walk to the showers, I take my phone from my locker and text Phoebe.
Meet us at Nightlight. One hour.
Nightlight is the hottest new club in Ridley, and the team are all in the mood to party tonight after that win.
Bubbles appear on my screen as she’s typing. My chest tenses. I don’t know if she’ll agree. This … arrangement, whatever it is between us, never included hanging out as if we’re friends.
But I really want her to say yes. I want to see her tonight. Not just to hook up. Although I’m sure as hell not saying I’d mind that, either. But I just want her out with us to celebrate.
Knowing she was in the crowd, knowing that she was looking at me and concerned for me and rooting for me after I took that nasty hit from Rahls, is what fueled me to play like a demon and score the two goals that won us the game.
She should be part of the celebration, because even though she doesn’t know it, she contributed to the victory.
The bubbles stop, and my chest sinks.
I keep my eyes glued to my phone for a beat. Then the bubbles come back, and I’m expecting her to tell me that she’s tired, or that she has an essay to finish, or that she just doesn’t feel like going out
Phoebe
Ok
Excitement pulses in my chest. My lips twitch with a smile as I stare at my phone.
I never thought one word could make me feel so good.
“You talking with your new girlfriend, Hunter?” Walsh quips.
I roll my eyes and set my phone back down. “Not my girlfriend,” I say as I brush past him to the shower.
