Carter laughs softly. “Fair point.”
I steal one last glance at Ginny before setting my focus back on the game.
Carter, Henley and I move into position at the center line and Blake heads for the net. The ref drops the puck, and Carter reacts first, winning the draw. I take off like a rocket, weaving through defenders as I power toward the net.
“Move it! Move it!” Coach Lein’s voice booms from the bench.
Carter cuts through the zone beside me, faking a pass just long enough to throw off their defense before snapping the puck across the ice.
I catch it effortlessly, my body moving on instinct as I close in on the goalie.
Then—boom.
The puck sails into the net.
The horn blares, the red light flashes, and the crowd erupts.
I barely have time to react before Carter slams into me, bumping me hard. “Hell yeah!”
Blake knocks his stick against the post, a grin flashing behind his mask.
I skate back to center ice, glancing toward the stands again.
Ginny’s still watching and she’s smiling. She gives me a thumbs up, nothing major but its meaning is so big.
Blake shouts to us. “Think she liked that one?”
I smirk. “She better. Otherwise, I’m benching her in our personal life.”
Carter rolls his eyes. “Focus. We’ve still got a game to win.”
The game continues but turns nasty. The Titans are pissed to be behind, and they are showing it.
Then it happens.
Carter has just passed the puck to Henley when one of their defensemen charges straight at him from behind.
“Carter, heads up!” I shout.
Too late.
The hit sends him sprawling into the boards, his helmet bouncing off the glass. My gloves hit the ice before I can think.
I grab the guy by the collar and swing.
First punch—clean hit.
Second—almost connects, but Carter regains his composure, pulling me back.
The crowd explodes and the whistle shrieks in my ears.
I barely feel it when they yank me back.
“Two minutes for roughing!” the ref barks.
I wipe my lip, tasting blood. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
Coach Lein’s voice roars from the bench. “Dammit, Chase!”
