He leans closer, forehead almost touching mine, the faint chill of the rink mixing with the warmth of his breath. “Now go sit in the stands,” he says, that crooked grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “And watch me win this game for you, Princess.”
I swear the arena could collapse around us and I wouldn’t notice.
I squeeze his hand, voice catching. “Scotty… thank you.”
“I’m always rooting for you.”
“I love you too,” I whisper. Not shaky. Not afraid. Just true. “I love you.”
For a moment, he freezes.
Not in shock, in awe.
His eyes soften in a way that makes my knees wobble harder than the heels ever could.
“Go,” he murmurs, barely holding it together. “Before I pull you back out here and kiss you stupid in front of the whole arena.”
A laugh slips out. It’s wet, breathless, overflowing.
I turn toward the tunnel, every inch of me humming.
Behind me, I hear the scrape of his blades as he skates back to his team, and I swear I can feel his smile following me all the way to my seat.
Chapter 30
I watch Laura disappear into the back area of the arena, desperately wanting to join her and kiss the ever-loving shit out of her.
The last five minutes have been too much for my own sanity. Laura’s voice was incredible, and then she told me she loved me. How the hell am I supposed to function?
“Dude.” Erik skates up beside me, shaking his head. “Your girlfriend just made five thousand people forget they came here for hockey. Like I said, who gives a shit if she can’t skate? She’s fucking phenomenal.”
“I know,” I say, and I can't keep the pride out of my voice.
“That was unreal,” Alex adds, skating over.
“Yeah. She's—” I stop myself, because I can't explain it. Can't put into words what Laura is to me.
Everything. She's everything.
The ref blows the whistle, calling us to center ice for the opening face-off. As I skate into position, I glance toward the stands where Laura's now sitting with Lyss and Reign.
She's looking right at me.
I tap my stick against the ice twice, hoping she gets what I’m saying.
I've got you, Princess. Now watch me return the favor.
The puck drops and I'm moving, fueled by something I can't name. Every shift, every play, I'm skating like I'm possessed. The energy from Laura's performance is still buzzing through the arena, through me, and I channel it into the game.
Seven minutes into the first period, I steal the puck at center ice and blow past Brighton U’s defense. Their goalie squares up, but I see the opening—top shelf, glove side—and I take the shot.
Goal!
The horn blares and the red light flashes. My teammates mob me, but I'm already looking for Laura in the stands. She's on her feet, jumping and cheering, and the smile on her face is worth more than any hat trick.
“Holy shit, Hendricks!” Erik crashes into me with a laugh. “Where did that come from?”
“Feeling inspired,” I say simply.
