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My whole body warms as I search for him back out on the ice. I can only imagine how big of a smile he’s wearing under that helmet right now. He wanted to show up and show out for his family. “I don’t know,” I disagree. “I think he’s earned a little praise.”
twenty-nine
DUCK, DUCK, CHICKEN
Adrenaline crashes through me and I toss my helmet on the bench.
“Holy fuck,” Beau says, slamming his hand down on my shoulder. “You were on fire out there man.”
I wink at him, wiping sweat from my face as I drink water and plop my ass down on the bench. I’m almost too exhausted to even get my pads and shit off. But I just know I reek and am in desperate need of a shower. I’m pretending to be nonchalant, but that may have been the best game of my life.
“I’ve never seen you play like that,” James agrees, taking a seat at my side.
“We were all on tonight,” I argue, not wanting to discount how well the whole team played.
Beau shakes his head, scoffing and tossing his jersey into a hamper across the way from our lockers. “The defense will be running drills into the ground this week.”
I cringe, not able to disagree. “It did fall apart a little bit there in the middle.”
Beau snorts, not accepting the generous observation. I’m not sure what happened to them because it was like a different team than what we’ve seen in practice. He sighs, sitting next to me.“The chirping and aggressive play started weighing on them,” he explains. “Even I got messy as I got frustrated. It wasn’t a good look for any of us.” He shakes his head in disappointment and it’s obvious where Beau will be spending the next few weeks. It’ll be hard to pry him off the ice until he feels like he’s at the top of his game again. “Thank fuck we have Tate.”
The man of the hour walks into the locker room at that moment and pats Beau on the shoulder as he walks by. “You did good,” he praises. “The other guys are still young, cut them some slack. It’s hard to keep your head in the game against BSU.” His eyes lift as they connect with mine. “Now, whatever’s got you feeling good, keep doing it. You were a beast.”
My chest puffs up in pride at my captain’s praise. Torryn’s face flashes in my mind and I give him and the guys an arrogant smile, not wanting them to know where my mind just went.
I did feel good tonight. It felt like I was flying across the ice. Like I could anticipate where the puck was going to be and how the other team was going to move and my body was just there. Ready. It was like I had something to prove and I was desperate to succeed. Nothing was going to stop me.
One assist and two goals, not a bad way to start off the season. I hope Torryn is ready to become a part of my pregame routine permanently.
Tate gives out encouragement to every player as he walks past them. It’s part of what makes him such a good captain, what keeps the whole team so tight-knit. I’ve learned a lot playing under a guy like him.
Forcing myself to stand back up, I groan, making the guys laugh. “Bet you’re feeling that hit now,” James says with a wince. He’s fucking right.
“Nothing some hot water and a good night’s sleep won’t fix.” I shrug it off, knowing there’s no point in lamenting about it. Dirty hits are a part of the game.
I make quick work of shedding the rest of my gear and thanking Bill as I hand it off to him. I set my shower to as hot as I can stand but don’t linger. My movements become more rushed as I remember Torryn only has so much time before she has to be at work. After the exhibition game, she had already left for work by the time I left the locker room.
By the time I’m redressed and ready to leave, some of the guys are just barely getting out of the shower. Wells gives me an unimpressed look. But Beau nudges his shoulder. “Don’t give him that look, his girl is waiting for him.” He looks over at him where he’s still pulling on his pants. “Maybe you should follow his lead.” He clicks his tongue. “Making Isla wait. Shame.”
“Yeah. Shame,” I echo. “See ya.”
Wells curses under his breath. “Just wait, you prick. I’m almost ready.”
I start counting down from ten, making Beau cackle and even James smile. Once Wells is ready, with a second to spare, he punches me in the shoulder. “I’m going to tell Torryn you’re falling in love with her.”
The other two are only a step behind us as we head out. I give him a baffled look. “Okay?” I try to imagine Tor’s reaction, but all I can see is her confusion mirroring my own. “If you want your girl’s best friend to think you’re delusional, be my guest.”
James and Beau laugh behind us and Wells shakes his head, muttering something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like something about idiots.
The four of us instantly draw attention from the crowd of family and friends waiting outside the locker room doors, but my mom’s voice is somehow louder than the collective and the whole crew is easy to spot.
My gaze lands on Torryn where she stands between Xander and Isla. In dark blue jeans and an oversized orange and gray jersey, she’s never looked so damn good. Xander taps hershoulder and points in my direction, drawing her eyes my way. As soon as they hit me, a mischievous smile spreads over her lips.
Oh no.
What the fuck did she do?
It isn’t only Tor that gives away she has something special planned for me. My brothers all wear matching expressions of anticipation. Even my mother is trying hard to suppress her amusement. It takes me a second and we’re just in front of the group when I finally catch sight of the number on her arm where there should be an 89.
