A defender reaches.
Colby shifts his weight, quick and controlled, and slips past.
My breath catches before I can stop it.
He shoots.
The puck snaps past the goalie and the red light flashes.
The building erupts.
My heart jumps like I’m one of them.
Like I’m a fan.
Like I haven’t been pretending this is just work.
Colby throws his arms up, gloved hands high, and for a second he looks… happy.
Then his teammates crash into him.
Dex is first. Of course he is.
Mason piles on.
Gabriel skates up late, calm as ever, and taps Colby’s helmet like he’s blessing him.
I blink hard.
Stop it.
Stop reacting.
Stop caring.
But my face aches with the ghost of a smile.
Because even when I’m spiraling, I know greatness when I see it.
And he just put it on display.
The announcer’s voice booms over the speakers.
“And that is why Colby Hayes wears the C!”
The crowd roars again.
My phone vibrates.
Raina:Did he just score??
Me:Yes. Don’t look. Stay focused.
Raina:I looked.
Me:Of course you did.
She sends a string of fire emojis.
