When the jerk finally stands up, he mutters a curse before picking his phone up and stomping off. I let out a breath, relieved that he’s gone.
I turn to Madeline. “Your cat Bruce gets free pet sitting and grooming for life.”
She chuckles and hugs me. Warm-up ends, and the game finally starts. I’m mesmerized as I watch Camden fly across the ice. He’s so fast, and the way he handles the puck is insane. He moves his stick like it’s an extension of his body. He’s got all those pads on, but he maneuvers effortlessly.
I’ve watched tons of clips of Camden playing, but this is the first time I’ve seen him play in-person, and I can’t stop staring. My husband is incredible.
It’s nearly the end of the first period, and so far neither team has scored. They get ready for face-off, and as soon as the puck lands on the ice, Camden rockets forward. The Calgary defenseman covering him can barely keep up. Camden is just too fast.
He passes the puck to Sam, who weaves around a Calgary player in the direction of their net.
Another Calgary player is covering him, so he passes the puck back to Camden. He’s the farthest from the net, but he’s the only one open.
Two Calgary players take off toward him. I hold my breath, my entire body tense as I watch. They’re going to check him and try to steel the puck.
Worry zooms through me. I know Camden’s tough. I know he can take it—he’s taken a few hits during this game already, and he’s doing just fine.
Still though. I don’t like seeing him get hit.
But I don’t have to worry about that. Because before those Calgary players can make it to Camden, he shoots the puck.
It goes flying past the glove of the Calgary goalie and lands in the back of the net.
The goal buzzer blares, and the entire stadium cheers.
Pride bursts through my chest as I holler and jump. I’m grinning so wide, my face hurts. That’s my hot husband kicking ass at hockey, scoring the first goal of the game.
I watch as his teammates surround him, smacking him in celebration. When they break apart, his gaze lands on me. He grins wide and winks at me.
I’m far away, but I don’t miss the gleam in his eyes. My tummy flips over and I’m smiling even harder now.
“Your husband is on fire,” Abby says.
“He really is.”
Chapter 56
Camden
I’m on the bench catching my breath, watching my teammates battle it out on the ice with Calgary.
We’re nearing the end of the game and we’ve managed to hold them off by one goal.
Excitement simmers inside of me at how close we are to winning. I swallow it back. We’re not there yet though. There’s still three minutes on the clock, which means there’s still time for us to lose this game.
In the two years I’ve played in the league, I’ve learned that the worst you can do is let your confidence get the best of you. I’ve seen teams blow three-goal leads in the last minute of a game. We can’t lose focus.
I glance up at the stands where Ellie is sitting, watching the game. My heartbeat kicks up and I start to smile. Having her here—havingmy wifehere, cheering me on, makes playing a million times better.
I’ve always loved playing hockey. I’ve always felt alive when I’m on the ice, chasing the puck and scoring goals.
But it’s different now that I’m married. I saw the pride in her expression when I scored that goal earlier in the game, and damn, did that feel amazing. I thought my heart was going toburst out of my chest. There’s just something about having the woman I love cheering me on while she wears my name and number on her body.
I feel whole. I feel complete.
I watch as Luca Markov, a new center on our team this season, fly across the ice.
He’s a recent trade from Seattle and is one of the top third-line centers in the league, known for his defensive skills. Coach Porter sent him out on the ice because Calgary has their toughest scoring line playing in these final minutes of the game. Probably as a last-ditch effort to score so they can tie up the game and force us into over time. That’s why Luca’s out there—he’s tough and damn good at disrupting scoring lines.
