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 aglitteryjersey?
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.”
Third period.
Before we take the ice, Coach Jacobsen stops me.
“Whatever’s going on with you,” he says, “figure it out. Now. I need you present.”
“Yes, Coach.”
“Good.” He starts to turn away, then stops. “Also—section 104. Blue glitter jersey. Foam ox horns. That your girl?”
Heat floods my face. “How did you?—”
“I’m a coach. I see everything.” He smiles. Barely, but it’s there. “Nice taste. Now go play hockey.”
We take the ice for the third period.
I scan the stands as I skate to position.
Section 104.
And there she is.
Chloe Dawson. Wearing a bedazzled Blue Ox jersey that catches the arena lights like a disco ball. Foam ox horns on her head. Holding a giant sign that saysGO BIG 7in glitter letters.
She’s not subtle.
She’s perfect.
Our eyes meet across the ice.
She grins.
