"That's not comforting."
She shrugs. "It's not supposed to be comforting. It's hockey."
The second period starts, and I'm back on my feet, screaming along with everyone else. The Wolves score first—Groover, assisted by Jinx—and the arena erupts. Our section is jumping, people hugging strangers, and I'm caught up in it, high-fiving Leila and the guy next to me who's wearing a jersey that's seen better days.
Then the other team scores, tying it up, and the energy shifts. Tenser now. More aggressive.
Ace has the puck again, and he's flying down the ice, and I'm leaning so far forward I'm practically falling over the railing.
"Come on, come on, come on," I mutter under my breath.
He passes to Becker, who passes back, and Ace takes the shot—
It goes in.
The goal light flashes, the horn blares, and I'm screaming so loud my throat hurts.
"THAT'S MY—" I catch myself just in time. "—THAT'S OUR GUY! GO WOLVES!"
Leila's giving me a look.
"What?" I say, trying to sound innocent.
"Nothing." But she's smiling.
The game continues, fast and brutal, and I'm completely invested now. Every play, every shot, every hit—I feel it all in my chest.
Then it happens.
Ace is skating along the boards, stickhandling the puck, when an opposing player comes out of nowhere and checks him hard—so hard Ace's body slams into the boards with a sickening thud that I hear even over the crowd noise.
He goes down.
Doesn't get up.
My heart stops.
Everything stops.
The crowd gasps. The play continues for a second before the whistle blows, and Ace is still on the ice, not moving.
"Oh my God." I'm gripping the railing, my knuckles white. "Oh my God, is he—"
"He's fine," Leila says, but she sounds worried too. "They're tough. He's fine."
"He's not moving."
"He will. Just give him a second."
The team skates over, surrounding him, and I can no longer see what's happening. The team doctor is on the ice now, crouching next to Ace, and my chest is so tight I can't breathe.
"Come on," I whisper. "Get up. Please get up."
The seconds stretch into years.
Then finally,finally, Ace moves. He rolls onto his side, then pushes himself up to sitting, and the crowd cheers in relief.
I realize I've been holding my breath and let it out in a rush.
