The puck slides under his pad and taps the inside of the net.
There’s a split second where everything goes silent, before the red light explodes, and the horn screams.This time, I love the sound of it.
Stone is on me first. Koa slams into both of us.
The arena detonates.
I don’t raise my arms, I look up and see Lucy jumping up and down, both arms in the air, and I worry about her smacking herself or Hildy, who is jumping up and down with her, Anna beside them.
Lucy runs into my legs before I even see her coming.
“You punched him!” she whispers into my legs, like it’s magic.
I crouch down to eye level. “We don’t celebrate the bad parts.”
“But you won.”
I can’t help but laugh as I scoop her up and stand, “We’d have won without the fight.”
Hildy walks up, and I kiss her temple.
“You okay?” she asks softly, her eyes dark and heated.
Fuck yeah. Fuck. Yeah.My woman likes hockey.
“Yes,” I answer, kissing her forehead.
“Family photo for Lucy’s first game,” Anna says and points.
We take photos, Lucy in my arms, Hildy at my side.
“Meet you at home after a quick shower?” I ask when we’re finished.
“You have Icehouse,” she states. “A toast.”
“I’d rather?—”
This time, she leans in, pushes up on her toes, and kisses my cheek, “Stick to your routine. I’ll see you when you get home.”
I’ll see you…
“Yes, ma’am.” I wink, and she blushes.
After showers, I dress quickly, wanting to get there and get home. When I pick up my phone, I see three missed calls.
From Hildy.
My stomach tightens.
There’s a text beneath it.
Scotti:
There’s been an incident outside. Chicago Phoenix fans confronted Anna. Security intervened, but a physical altercation ensued. She is en route to Methodist Hospital. Hildy is with her.
I slam my locker shut.
Aleks sees my face immediately and asks, “What?”
