I catch it and take off, my blood buzzing with excitement.
I’ve always lived for these types of moments in sports. The game winners in front of a crowd that cheers my name. Gatorade dumped on my head and a dogpile on the ice after a victory. With twenty seconds on the clock, the dream is close to becoming a reality.
Hudson angles a defender toward the boards, and I know this is my chance. Another defender appears on my right, just as I pull my blade back, and there’s no way for me to score without the puck being stolen from me.
I see Ethan open on my left, and I pass to him, watching him score time expires.
“Yes!” he yells, skating toward me. He wraps me in a hug and laughs against my helmet. “What a pass, Emmy.”
“An assist in her first game,” Hudson says, hugging me next. “Helluva way to start an NHL career.”
“That was awesome,” I pant.
“Way to go, Red,” Maverick says, nice and low. “I thought you had the goal.”
“I dumped it so I didn’t give up a breakaway.” I shrug. “There will be more opportunities for goals.”
“Damn right.” He pulls on the end of my braid and grins. “Are you proud of yourself?”
“Yeah.” I match his smile. “An assist is awesome, and, on the plus side, I didn’town-goalmyself like someone else here.”
“I mean, shit. I think you might be a better player than me, Hartwell.”
“I know I am, Miller.” I skate toward the bench where the rest of my teammates are cheering for me. “And I can’t wait to prove myself right.”
ELEVEN
EMMY
Bane of my Existence
Congrats on third line, Red.
Working your way up!
Me
How do you know these things before they’re announced?
Bane of my Existence
Magic!
Kidding.
Coach told me about the changes in our weekly meeting, and said I was all for it.
Me
Glad to know I have your approval.
Can’t tell you how much it means to me.
Bane of my Existence
Is that sarcasm?
Sure sounds like it.
