She smiles.
A clean, perfect hit.
My chest pounds like it’s trying to break out.
***
Game’s intense. Third period. Tie game. Two minutes left.
Faceoff in the offensive zone.
I look to Annabelle. She’s leaning forward, hands pressed to the railing, eyes locked on me like she’s praying I don’t screw this up.
I tap my stick to the boards. Our little signal.
Her lips part.
Colby wins the face off and passes the puck to me. I send it to Dex. Dex gets it to Mills. Mills fires. Rebound kicks out.
I’m already there.
I shoot.
Net. Top corner.
Crowd goes insane.
I skate straight to the glass. To her.
I tap my stick to her hand on the glass.
Her mouth forms a shocked, breathlessoh.
My heartbeat tries to sprint laps.
The guys surround me instantly.
“He did it for LOVE!” Colby shouts.
“GET A ROOM!” Eli adds.
“Not in the locker room,” Gabriel warns. “Some of us have kids.”
Coach mutters, “Jesus Christ,” but he’s smiling.
We win.
And the only thing I can think of is her.
***
After the game, I shower so fast I’m probably still half-covered in soap. I yank on my suit, push my hair back, breathe once, fail to breathe normally, and head for the hallway.
She’s there.
Waiting.
Annabelle Hacker looks like every good thing I’ve ever wanted and half the things I never thought I’d deserve.
