A roar erupts from the arena as the game is set to begin, and all I can think about is Scotty. He’s out there now, and I want to be out there rooting for him.
The crowd chants something unintelligible, and Dad glances back toward the entrance.
“We should probably get to our seats,” I say. “Don’t want to miss the game.”
“Good call. Wouldn’t want to keep our future son-in-law’s parent waiting.”
“Dad,” I groan, heat flooding my face. “Please don’t say things like that.”
He raises his hands and chuckles. “Hey, I’m just calling it like I see it. He brings out the best in you.”
“You’re reading way too much into it,” I say, holding back the smile, and thread my hands through my parents’ arms. “Come on. Let’s go.”
I wish my parents good luck with Scotty’s and check my phone before joining Lyss and Reign in our usual seats.
No missed calls, but I have a bunch of messages from my theater friends Lana, Curtis, Danny and Jo. I don’t bother responding to them immediately, I have better things to do tonight, and that’s watching my boyfriend play.
Lyss and Reign are sitting in our usual season seats as I climb up to join them, not even missing the face off.
“You killed it,” Lyss says, handing me a hot chocolate. “As per usual.”
“Thanks.” I settle in, wrapping my hands around the cup. “I still get nervous every single time.”
“You don't look it,” Reign points out. “You look like you were born to do this.”
Maybe I was.
Six months ago, I would have laughed at that idea.
Now? Now I'm starting to believe it.
The puck drops, and the game begins. Scotty glides across the ice with that effortless, impossible grace that still manages to take my breath away. It takes almost everyone’s breath away honestly. He might have an NHL deal lined up, but he plays his heart out every game. That’s why he’s having the best season ever.
“He's on fire tonight,” Lyss observes as Scotty steals the puck and speeds down the ice.
“He always is when Laura sings,” Reign adds with a knowing smile.
I don't deny it. I agree. Scotty and I… well, we just fit.
I felt it the first night I sang the national anthem, and clearly everyone else can see it too. We push each other to be better, to chase our dreams, to remind each other of the things we’re capable of.
Scotty takes a shot. The puck rockets off his stick and slips cleanly past the goalie’s glove. The red-light flashes, and the arena erupts.
Hendricks! Hendricks! Hendricks!
The crowd chants his name and he throws his arms up before his teammates swarm him, tapping his helmet and slapping his back with their gloves.
When Scotty looks up, our eyes meet across the ice.
Yeah. We fit.
By the time the first period ends, I’m ready to go down a few seats to say hello to Scotty’s family when the lights suddenly dim and the jumbotron flickers to life.
“Coming in two weeks,” the announcer’s voice booms. “The spectacle you’ve been waiting for.Evermore on Ice.”
Spotlights sweep across the rink, illuminating a miniature winter wonderland set up. Fake snow starts drifting from the rafters as dramatic orchestral music blasts through the arena.
“What’s happening?” Lyss asks.
