Warmup continues, and I point out more players to Abigail, including Bodhi and Keiran from my brothers’ team.
She makes appropriately appreciative comments about their “form” and “technique,” which only makes us laugh harder.
As the teams head back to their locker rooms for final preparations, the anticipation builds as fans settle into their seats. I’ve got the familiar pre-game buzz in my chest, and it feels good to be back on home ice, even if I technically go to the enemy school now.
“I think I’m going to like hockey,” Abigail announces, still watching the tunnel where the players disappeared.
“Just wait until they hit each other.”
Twenty minutes later, the lights dim and dramatic music fills the arena. The teams emerge from their respective tunnels to thunderous cheers from their fans. The Stormhaven crowd is deafening, and I can’t help but cheer along as the home team takes the ice.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer’s voice booms over the crowd. “Welcome to Stormhaven Arena for tonight’spreseason match-up between your Stormhaven Hounds and the visiting Gravepoint Havocs!”
The home crowd erupts, and I focus on my brothers as they line up for the national anthem. When it ends and the teams circle around the ice to take their positions for the opening face-off, the announcer continues his introduction.
“For your Stormhaven Hounds, leading the charge tonight, it’s a Kane train coming down the ice! Ladies and gentlemen, the brothers of brutality, the Kane boys!”
I beam with pride as my brothers skate a quick victory lap, acknowledging the roar of the home crowd. Then they do something that makes me want to crawl under my seat. They skate directly toward our section and stop, banging their sticks against the glass right in front of me.
“Do a spin for the cameras, little sis!” Levi shouts through his helmet, his voice muffled but still audible.
“Show them the name!” Landon adds, making exaggerated spinning motions with his finger. The entire section is staring at us, and Abigail is practically bouncing in her seat.
“Oh my god, do it! The camera is already on you, look!”
“I hate them,” I mutter, but I stand up and do a slow spin, letting the KANE on the back of my jersey face the camera. The Stormhaven fans cheer, and I catch both of my brothers nodding approvingly before they skate back to their positions.
“That was amazing,” Abigail squeals as I sit back down, my cheeks burning. “Your brothers just outed you as their sister in front of their entire home crowd.”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I was afraid of. I can cross hockey players off my list of dates now,” I lament, but I can’t help my smile. As the referee drops the puck and the game officially begins, I settle back to watch.
“Okay,” Abigail says, leaning closer as she squints at the ice. “Now I definitely need you to explain what happened, because I think number 24 just tried to murder someone.”
I grin, falling back into my element. “Welcome to hockey, Abby. Buckle up, and remember, we go to school with half of these guys who want to kill my brothers.”
Abigail and I make our way outside to wait for Levi and Landon. Fans stream out of the arena behind us, and players’ families gather near the team exit.
Soon the doors to it burst open, and players walk out, freshly showered and carrying their gear bags.
“Leila!” Landon calls out when he sees me, and he jogs over with his bag slung over his shoulder. “Pretty good game, right?”
“Not bad,” I say with a grin. “Though that turnover in the second period was sloppy.”
“Ouch,” Levi says as he approaches with several other players. “She’s not wrong, though.”
Behind him, I recognize Bodhi, Keiran, and Oscar, all guys I’ve known since they started playing for SHU.
“Leila Kane,” Bodhi says with that charming smile that makes my knees weak. “You look good in our colors.”
“Thanks,” I say.
Bodhi tosses his gear bag into the back of Levi’s truck, and as he does, something falls out onto the pavement. At the sight of the glow mask, my heart stops. I have always wanted to take part in their parties, but my brothers have banned me.
Bodhi quickly scoops it up, but not before Abigail notices.
“What’s that?” she asks, pointing to the mask in his hands.
“Oh, this?” Bodhi grins, holding up the mask. “It’s for chasing girls. A post-victory tradition.”
