“You will,” Celie says as she leans past Pru. “Savannah did good.”
Nadine squeals. “I’m so excited! My baby sister finally met someone who deserves her.”
* * *
Cameron
The arena is packed with wall-to-wall fans, and the roar of the crowd is deafening as I lead my team onto the ice for the Cannons first playoff game in a long time.
I’m pumped. I woke up feeling ready to go, and the energy of the crowd gets me going even more.
From the moment the puck is dropped, I can tell our opponent doesn’t want this game as much as we do. And that’s often all sports is—who wants it more. After meeting Savannah’s dad in person, my desire to win this title for her is off the charts. And it inspires me like nothing I’ve felt before.
I can hear her cheers through the rest of the noise. It’s not as easy as when the place was half-filled, but she promised me she would let out a big cheer when the rest of the crowd was quiet.
And she doesn’t disappoint.
“Get it, Cam!”
As soon as I hear her, I break into a grin, hip-check my opponent into the boards, and pass the puck down the ice to McLain who slots it in easily for a score.
I also hear my cousins. Shit, they’re loud. Brayden and Jenson coach football and know how to project to be heard. And Dylan has to shout to his teammates in sold-out stadiums for a living. Once they all get going, they’re like a pack of barking dogs.
We win handily, and I pump my fist at Savannah as I skate off.
My father’s lying in wait before I even get my skate guards on. He insists on me meeting the scout he promised to bring, and we spend ten minutes I can’t get back doing awkward small talk.
But I’m in a good mood, and nothing can take that away. I hurry through my shower, and when I emerge from the locker room, I look around for Savannah right away.
A lot of people are still milling around the arena, but I don’t see Savannah anywhere. Disappointment hits my gut.
She must have left.
Maybe it’s for the best. Maybe she and I aren’t ready to bring everyone else into our little cocoon yet. Colton calls out to me, and I wave and head toward him. He’s leaning against the wall closest to the lobby exit, chatting with Jenson and Ayden. His wife, Sky, is tucked into his side as she talks to Jenson’s wife, Olivia, and Bella, Ayden’s fiancé.
“Nice game, Wild.” Colton punches my arm. “You looked like you had fun.”
“I did.” I put my arm around Sky and kiss her cheek. “How are you feeling?”
She smiles at me. “I’m pregnant, Cam. Not sick.”
“I know. But this rink’s freaking cold.”
She shrugs. “It’s not that bad when you’re dressed for it.”
Dylan and his wife, Jasalie, and Brayden and his girlfriend, Leleila, join us. Dylan immediately starts effusively talking about the game.
“That was a great goal you had in the second period,” he says. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dyl. Christ, you guys were loud up there.”
Dylan chuckles. “My game-day volume goes on automatically, I guess.”
As we continue to chat and screw around, the entire place empties out around us.
Jasalie shivers, pulling her long blond hair around her neck. “Let’s make our way to a warm bar. You guys are all used to northern climates. I’m the only one here who never lived through a cold winter.”
Dylan puts his arms around her and whispers something into her ear. She giggles.
