His blue eyes soften with tender adoration. “Everything will be okay. Goodnight.”
THIRTY-ONE
EASTON
Endingthe season victorious after a win on home ice, then another against Boston College tonight is one of the best feelings in the world. My teammates crash against me on the ice the moment we finish, all of us hugging because we clinched it.
We’re bound for playoffs and I can already taste the crisp air of the arena for the championship tournament at the end of the road.
Best of all? My girl waits for me outside the locker room, looking cute as hell in my alternate jersey.
Her cheeks have green hearts with number twenty-four painted on them. She beams at me proudly for our stellar win.
I match her expression, my grin unstoppable. In one smooth move I pick her up with one arm.
“Easton!”
She wraps her arms around me with a laugh. A pleased rumble vibrates in my chest as I hold her up.
Yeah, this beats everything else on my list as my favorite feeling ever.
I carry her, starting toward the gauntlet of reporters lining the hall that leads to our exit. I’m not hiding that she’s my girl.
Their cameras flash and they call my name, firing off questions about the game, my team, and about the draft prospect ranks that were released with my name coming in at the top of the standings. It feels damn good.
Someone sticks a recorder in my face. “Heston’s entering the playoffs as the defending champions. You won Frozen Four last year. Do you hope to do the same again?”
“Of course. The Knights always fight to win when we’re on the ice,” I say.
“How are you feeling finishing the season in the top ten of the prospects for this year’s draft? This is your first time on the list—what’s changed in your strategy from last year to stand out?”
No lie, when the list released on all the biggest online sports media outlets centered on hockey news, the entire house lost our shit in celebration. Of all the guys who played for Heston that went on to be drafted out of college, none of them ranked as high as my name on that prospect list.
It was surreal to see my name mentioned on ESPN and Sportsnet’s websites.
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized among this year’s amazing players, for sure. I’ve got a lot of motivation that keeps me focused. Most of all, this year I’ve had an amazing support system through my teammates and family.” I flash a smile at Maya. “Oh, and this is my girl, Maya. Make sure you put that in your article, too. I’m a taken man.”
The guy shifts his camera to her with interest. She buries her face in my neck. I chuckle, rubbing her leg.
More cameras flash blind us. I give a brief wave in thanks and hustle through the gauntlet to reach the door for the parking lot.
I brace against the bitter early March wind, buffing Maya’s side to keep her warm. She wraps her legs around me and tightens her arms with a hum.
She peeks out now that we’re in the clear from the media. “You really just did that.”
“Did what? Win?” I tease. “Because I’m awesome.”
She clicks her tongue, eyes dancing with humor. “You know what I’m talking about, hotshot.”
A prideful grin twists my lips. “No doubt. Thousands of people read those sports blogs and articles online. I want everyone to know I’m yours.”
Stopping in my tracks, I cup her face to draw her in for a kiss.
“Ow, ow,” Noah heckles.
Cameron’s voice booms when he puts his hands around his mouth. “Get a room.”
Maya keeps the kiss going for another minute, lifting her arm away from me. I grin against her lips, suspecting that she’s flipping them off. I hold up my own finger.
