He nods. “I don’t think an hour is going to hurt, do you?”
I smile. “Yes, but …”
“Give me some drugs for the pain, and I’ll push through. You know not to question my loyalty to my team.”
“Fine.” Giving in, I find him some heavy-duty pain meds and we walk back out to catch the third period with the rest of the team.
We watch the third period from the tunnel. Emmett won't sit. Won't rest. Just stands there, arm in a sling, watching histeam play without him. The Mavericks are up by two. Pierre scores in the final minutes and the crowd goes wild. When the buzzer sounds, the team erupts. They've won the Snow Classic. Emmett's jaw is tight. I know what he's thinking. He should be out there, celebrating with them.
“Go enjoy this win with them. I’ll see you later,” I tell him, he gives my hand a squeeze, and walks off toward the locker rooms.
I head back up to the family suite. Collette is already there with the dress bags for us to get changed into. We went shopping last week for a dress for tonight, and I spotted this stunning emerald green dress and thought it would blow Emmette away as we celebrated New Year’s together, but it looks like we won’t be spending it together now.
"How's Emmett?" she asks.
"Out for a month. Grade three separation."
"Shit. That's rough."
"Yep. He’s taking it well, considering.”
“Considering last time you tried to bench him, he had a full-on meltdown.” Collette laughs.
“That feels like a million years ago.”
“Time flies when you’re having fun.” She winks.
We all change quickly, do our makeup, fix our hair, and by the time we're done, we look ready for a New Year's Eve celebration.
"Okay, let's go," Collette says.
We head down, and the team is gathering near the outdoor rink. Pierre told everyone to meet there before heading to the Rose Hotel. I spot Emmett standing with Sully, he's changed into dark jeans and a sweater. His face is tight with pain, but he's here.
When he sees me in the green dress, his eyes darken, and I wish I could go to him, stand beside him. But I can't.Not yet.
Collette finds her way to my side. "Wow, wasn’t expecting Emmett to be here.”
"He won't miss this."
"He's loyal. I'll give him that."
"Yeah. Come on, let’s get into our places.” We follow Harper and Camryn and meet up with Issy’s sisters and mom.
“How’s the captain?” Mom asks.
“In a lot of pain, he’s going to go get tests done after this,” I tell her.
She nods. “Does that mean you have to go?”
I still. I want to be there for Emmett, but this is also my brother’s big night.
“I think Mike is going to take him.”
Felix appears on the other side of the area from us, he's talking to Issy and leading her toward the outdoor rink attached to the arena. The guise of getting her down here was looking for Pierre’s lost glove. You can see it on her face, she is annoyed by the request, but is following Felix anyway.
Then she sees it, the outdoor rink, all the lights are off, just candles, hundreds of them, lining a red carpet that leads to the center of the ice.
Issy gasps, her hand flies to her mouth.
