I skate toward the penalty box, knowing exactly what’s coming.
Coach points a sharp finger at me. “You think sitting in the sin bin is gonna help us win this game?”
I shrug, smirking with pride. “He went after Carter, Coach! What was I supposed to do, send him a thank-you note?”
Coach sighs, rubbing his temples. “I get it, kid. But next time, make ‘em pay with a goal, not your fists.”
I step into the box, still breathing hard.
Carter skates past and smirks through the plexiglass. “Hey, at least our girl knows you’ll fight for me.”
I shoot him a glare. “I swear to God, if I come out and you haven’t set me up for a goal, I’m kicking your ass.”
He laughs. “Deal.”
With me in the box, we’re down a man, and Blake is getting hammered with shots.
But he’s a fucking brick wall. Every attempt to score by the Titans is blocked.
The second my penalty expires, I explode out of the box.
Carter’s ready and waiting. He spots me moving up the ice and sends a perfect pass straight to my stick.
Breakaway.
I can feel the eyes of the entire rink on me. I close in on the net, stick pulled back, ready to end it. I snap the puck toward the top right of the net.
My breath catches as I wait and watch. Praying it makes it in.
GOAL.
The crowd goes wild.
Blake pumps his fist in the air as I skate past the bench, smirking at Coach Lein. “That better?”
Coach exhales sharply, shaking his head. “That’s more like it.”
The final buzzer sounds minutes later, sealing our 5-3 victory.
The team floods the ice, sticks raised in celebration. I skate toward Carter and Blake, bumping my stick against theirs.
“Not bad, boys,” Carter grins.
Blake chuckles. “Not bad? I saved our asses blocking those pucks.”
Carter rolls his eyes. “And Chase punched that fucker in the face for me.”
I clap him on the back. “Yeah, yeah. You’re welcome. But who made the winning shot? Guys, come on and face it, I’m the star of the show.”
I take hold of Blake, pulling him into me. “I have a special surprise for you at home.” He looks at me and I wink.
Before we head off the ice, I turn toward the stands.
Ginny’s still there.
Smiling.
Proud.
