Mats! Game-winning goal!
I grin down at her. And it was a slap shot. Proving the doubters wrong.
She blushes. Am I never going to live that down? There’s nothing wrong with your slap shot. It’s fire.
I chuckle. Just being with Cleo again makes me feel even happier.
How did your big day go? I ask.
Good. We get the results on Monday, so hopefully that ends my suspension and I can get back on the ice with my team.
Amen to that, says her teammate Caroline, who is arm-in-arm with Murph. Nice goal, Mats.
Thanks. I was set up by the best. I slap Murph on the shoulder.
See you at the pub? he asks.
Of course. I let go of Cleo and we walk towards the lobby. Is that okay with you?
Fuck yeah. We need to celebrate tonight, she says.
But maybe we could take a few minutes by ourselves first? Just to get everything straight? I suggest.
Oh, I thought you were the guy who didn’t like to label relationships, she teases.
Hey, you’re not the only one who can change. I’m ready to nail things down. I glance around. Too bad there’s no privacy here.
She bites her lip. I know the perfect place.
Cleo leads me to the referee’s room. It’s a tiny room where the officials get changed and relax between periods. There’s a main space with lockers and folding chairs, and a miniscule shower and bathroom. The officials left long ago, but there’s still a faint odour of sweat and old skates. Luckily, it’s something we’re both very used to.
Should I ask how you know about this room? I wonder.
People who prank teammates sometimes need a safe place to hide, she confesses.
We sit down on folding chairs and face each other. I take her hands in mine and get right to the point.
So, are we back together?
She nods enthusiastically. I got over my worries by reversing our positions. If you were in trouble, I’d want to be by your side. And I’d never worry about my reputation either.
You’re a good person. We know that, so it doesn’t matter what other people think, I reply.
Well, soon they’ll have the proof that I’m not all hyped up on drugs.
No, you’re only hyped up on your natural energy. Energy that I admire so much.
And arena cheese fries.
I wince. Of course she loves those calorie bombs.
Cleo’s expression grows serious. I’ve learned my lesson, though. I’ve done some stupid things for my brother, things I’m not proud of now. But that won’t happen again.
I squeeze her hands. Don’t be so hard on yourself. We do things for the people we love because we trust them. It’s not your fault that Jordan wasn’t the man he should have been.
She sighs contentedly. This is the happiest I’ve been in a week.
I know. Life felt colourless without you.
