I burst into the locker room. Everyone’s scattered—some guys getting water, others checking their equipment.
I grab my phone from my locker.
Open Instagram.
Find Chloe’s profile.
The dragon post is still there. Sometimes the armor has to come off.
My fingers hover over the keyboard.
Then I notice she’s posted again. Two minutes ago.
A photo of her sitting next to Jessa in what looks like a hockey arena. Behind her, I spot a section number. It’s section 104 in our arena. No caption.
My heart stops.
Section 104.
She’s here.
I look up at the clock. Three minutes until we’re back on the ice.
Derek appears in the doorway. “Kane, Coach is—” He stops. Sees my face. “What?”
“She’s here.”
“Who’s—” Understanding dawns. “Chloe?”
I nod. “Section 104.”
Derek grins. Shakes his head. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down there, lover boy.”
“I’ve got to?—”
“And you will.” He claps me on the shoulder. “But do it after we win. You owe us a decent third period after that disaster you just pulled.”
“Derek—”
“Save it. Get your head together. Win the game. Then go get your girl.” He heads back toward the tunnel. “In that order, Kane!”
I look back at my phone. At the photo of section 104.
She came.
After everything. After the contract. After I pushed her away.
She came.
And she’s wearing—I zoom in on the photo—is that a glittery jersey?
A laugh bursts out of me. It feels like a weight lifted, floating like light.
Conrad pokes his head in. “You good, man?”
“Yeah.” I’m grinning like an idiot. “Yeah, I’m good.”
“Then get back on the ice. We’ve got a game to win.”
