That sends the crowd over the edge.
A bunch of his teammates skate towards him, wrapping him in a group hug.
Tears fill my eyes.
This is the second Born to Wear Blue charity event I’ve been part of. Like last year, my chest swells with pride because I had a small part in something magical. Until starting this position, I was clueless to the competitive nature of the game and I was oblivious to the exhilarating thrill of having your team win. I can imagine what it must’ve been like for Kaz’s fans when the stakes were higher. The nail-biting stress of not knowing if your favorite team would be able to hoist the Stanley Cup or win the gold medal at the Olympics must’ve been grueling.
The Enforcers and the Troopers line up and shake each other’s hands.
The cheers are so loud, they threaten to bring down the City Ice Pavilion’s roof.
After the handshakes, a volunteer skates towards Kaz and hands him a mic.
The crowd quiets down.
I sit back down, my heart still racing, eager to hear what he has to say.
He removes his helmet and hands it to one of his teammates. “Thank you, everyone, for coming out and supporting a cause that’s so close to my heart.” Kaz turns to his opponents. “Thank you to you OGs for not making it easy for us.”
The Troopers make a woofing sound with accompanying hand gestures.
A round of chuckles and claps ripples around the arena.
“There’s a lot of work involved in putting a charity event like this one together. A huge thank you to my formidable team who’s been working tirelessly to make today happen without a hitch. The volunteers who so generously donate their time is another reason why this annual event is so successful.”
I join in as the crowd roars and claps.
Kaz points to where his best friend is standing on a makeshift stage in the seating area across from where I’m sitting in the front row. “Thank you, Erik Thornton who was willing to step into the MC shoes my beloved grandmother—” He chokes up, and so do I.
One of his teammates gives him a side hug, and I swallow the lump in my throat, my heart going out to my amazing man.
“Although she isn’t here this year, I know she’s watching from Heaven. Knowing her, she’s sitting at God’s table, pouring three fingers of top shelf whiskey, coercing the big guy to drink.”
The crowd laughs, and I’m back to grinning again.
“This win is for you, Nana.” Kaz points to the ceiling, and the ensuing whistles and cheers are deafening.
He skates my way.
I bring my hands over my heart.
“Last, but not least, Harley Lancaster. She’s not only the publicist and organizer extraordinaire for this event, but she’s also my girlfriend. And in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past fifteen months, she’s the love of my life.”
A public declaration?
I’m dead.
He bangs against the plexiglass shielding, calling me over.
As I make my way down the row, fans pat me on the back and congratulate me. Too many emotions are bouncing inside me to say more thanthank you.
When I reach the door, Kaz is there waiting for me.
With a grin splitting his handsome face, he sweeps me up in his arms.
I wrap mine around him, cross my legs around his waist, and lean my forehead against his.
He brings his lips to my ear. “We won, so that means, I get to fuck you in my jersey.”
