Another shot.
Missed, but close enough to make the goalie swear.
I hear something behind the bench.
Annabelle’s voice.
“YES, BRYCE!”
My soul leaves my body.
I check a guy so hard his helmet nearly spins. The ref glares at me, but even he’s grinning.
The entire bench turns around to stare at her. And me.
Coach snaps, “Eyes forward, gentlemen! We’re not hosting a meet-and-greet!”
During a line change, Colby skates closer to me. “Bro. She cheered for you like you were scoring in her bedroom.”
I choke. “Shut up.”
He cackles.
***
Midway through the second during a TV time out, something clatters behind the bench. Annabelle drops her phone. Every single one of us turns like synchronized idiots, me included.
She waves apologetically. Her face is pink.
I stand up.
Actually stand.
Coach grabs my jersey so hard I almost face-plant. “SIT DOWN, CASANOVA.”
The crowd screams with laughter as somehow this scene is on the arena’s big screen.
I mutter, “Just checking she’s okay.”
“We are not losing you to chivalry. SIT.”
***
Back on the ice, opposing players start chirping as expected.
“Who’s the girl, Blackhorn?”
“You skating for her tonight?”
“Blink twice if you’re whipped.”
Dex yells back, “He’s not blinking. He doesn’t have the brain cells to multitask!”
I line the loudest guy up on the next shift and send him into the boards so hard the entire arena winces.
Annabelle gasps behind the bench.
I glance back, just once.
