“They’re really good,” Madison observes.
“Yeah. They are.”
The game starts and it’s immediately intense.
Denver comes out aggressive. Fast. Physical.
First period, they’re trading goals back and forth. Denver scores. Then Callum scores off an assist from Micah. Then Denver scores again.
2-1 Denver by the end of the first.
Zinnia’s on the edge of her seat. “Are we losing?”
“It’s only the first period. We have time.”
Second period, Zephyr makes this incredible defensive play. He steals the puck from Denver’s center, passes to Jax, who passes to Callum for the goal.
I’m on my feet screaming before I realize I’m doing it.
Zinnia’s screaming too. Elle and Madison are laughing at us.
“You are a total fan girl now, aren’t you?” Elle says.
“Yeah. I am.” I smile, clapping my hands.
Third period, it’s tied 2-2. Ten minutes left.
Denver’s playing dirty. Shoving. Slashing. Getting under our guys’ skin.
Their left wing checks Callum hard into the boards. Too hard. Late hit.
Callum shoves back and drops his gloves.
“Oh shit,” Elle breathes.
That’s my Callum. His fists are flying. The crowd starts going insane.
I’m on my feet with my heart pounding. “Callum!”
The refs break it up. Both players get sent to the penalty box.
Callum’s lip is bleeding. But he’s grinning.
“Is he okay?” Zinnia asks.
“He’s fine. That’s just hockey.”
Five minutes left, and they’re still tied.
Jax gets the puck. He skates up the right wing. Callum’s out of the box now, racing to get in position.
Jax passes to Callum. Callum one-times it to Jax. Jax shoots.
Goal!
The horn sounds. The crowd erupts.
I’m screaming so loud my throat hurts. Zinnia’s jumping up and down. Elle’s laughing.
