Eli beamed. “I watched you on TV. You're awesome.”
“Well, just let me know because as soon as you’re out of here, you’re going to be able to come and watch all my games. I’m going to get all your family tickets and fly you there.”
His mom’s eyes filled, and she turned away. I got the feeling she knew he wasn’t ever getting out of here.
“I saw you get hurt,” Eli whispered. “You’re really brave.”
Cole shifted closer, careful not to disturb the IV lines. “Can I tell you something?” he murmured.
Eli nodded, eyes enormous.
“I get scared sometimes,” Cole said. “A lot of people think dragons don’t, but we do. When something matters, it can make you shake right down to your bones.”
Eli swallowed. “I get scared too.”
“I know,” Cole whispered. “But I also know you’re stronger than you think.”
Eli’s lower lip wobbled. “I don’t feel strong.”
Cole squeezed his hand very gently. “Strength isn’t how hard you hit,” he said. “It’s when you keep going. Even when it’s scary. Even when you’re tired. And you’re doing that every single day.”
A tear slipped from beneath the boy’s lashes.
Cole didn’t flinch from it. Didn’t falter. “Thanks for letting me meet you,” he said softly. “And we’re going to meet again when you come to my game.”
Eli closed his eyes, but he didn’t let go of Cole’s hand. Not even as his breaths settled into slow, sleepy rhythm.
Cole stayed until Eli was properly asleep, then carefully eased his fingers free and stood. I saw the moment the emotion almost overwhelmed him—how he blinked hard and straightened his gown like he needed something to hold him upright. His mom followed us out of the room and nearly flung herself at Cole. “Thank you. He needed that.”
He held her until she smiled and drew back. “The hospital has my numbers.” He bent down and whispered something in her ear, and she stilled in shock.
“How?” Her lips wobbled.
Cole just smiled, shrugged, and I followed him back to where the rest of the team were.
“What did you say?”
He squirmed a little. “I told her that whatever bills the charity didn’t pick up, the team would cover.”
“They will?”
Cole shrugged. “Someone will. I spoke to Ignatius this morning. He has news, and we’re going to meet tonight after the team dinner.” He smirked. “My room, but this time you might need to keep your clothes on.”
I’d never been one to bite my nails, but as I stood watching the warm-up, it seemed a good time to start.
The commentators’ voices drifted up from the arena speakers as I leaned forward against the glass of the VIP box, trying not to look as out of place as I felt. Below me, the ice was alive with motion—dragons and bears circling, stretching, snapping shots at the net in warm-up drills. Energy thrummed through the building like a storm waiting to break.
“Welcome back to United Center, folks,” the play-by-play announcer boomed, his voice crackling over the crowd noise that hadn’t even reached peak volume yet. “Tonight is a huge one. The Chicago Grizzlies hosting the Colorado Dragons. Both teams are fighting tooth and nail for that wild-card spot, and while that can never be decided this early in the season, the last three times these teams have met, the Grizzlies have trounced the Dragons, and the Dragons have a lot to prove tonight.”
Wild card. Even I knew enough now to tense at the word.
His co-commentator chimed in, sounding downright gleeful at the drama. “And remember for anyone new to the playoff picture—wild cards go to the two teams in each conference thatdidn’twin their division but still have the highest number of points overall. It’s a second chance at the postseason—but only if you stay above the cutoff.”
“Exactly,” the first guy said. “Winning tonight doesn’t guarantee either team a berth. But losing? Losing knocks another nail in the coffin.”
My stomach clenched. I tore my gaze from the commentators’ booth across the rink and looked down at the Dragons on the ice.
Max was skatingin tight, sharp lines, jaw set, the captain in full “nobody breathe wrong” mode. Ember chatted too fast with Ash, who was pretending not to listen. Sorin and Seraphiel who I hadn't met, were shoulder-to-shoulder near the blue line, mirror images of tension.
