This is why the two of us make such a good team. We know where the other is going to be on the ice. It’s that intuition that makes playing with him so damn fun.
We head back to the bench as the second line takes the ice. It’s a grind for the rest of the period. Neither team scores again, but thankfully we’ve cleaned up the silly mistakes.
My body aches as we start the third period. Boston is a hard-hitting team and hasn’t been holding back.
Time is winding down in the game. The last thing I want is for this to go into overtime. And to not get a chance to take out my anger on Kyle.
An offsides call might give me my opportunity. Marcustakes the face-off at their end of the ice, both Kyle and I waiting to grab the puck.
“Think you’re going to win tonight?” Kyle is elbowing me in the side.
“Newsflash, idiot. Score is tied.” I push right back on him.
“Not for long.”
“We’re on your end. Better watch your back.”
Marcus wins the face-off and I grab the puck. Spinning away from Kyle, I skate back with the puck and wait for Marcus and Randy to set up the play.
Kyle is coming at me full speed. Before he can get a hit in, I shoot the puck to Marcus and brace for what comes next. I shift enough to miss Kyle and watch as he collides with the boards.
“Oooh,” echoes through the arena before the fans explode with cheers. No doubt Marcus or Randy scored, but my eyes are on the player on the ice.
“That was a cheap shot!” He’s yelling to the ref. “He goaded me into the boards!”
“I didn’t even touch you!” I shout to him. I can’t hide the grin on my face. It’s even better than I imagined. He’s spitting mad, trying to plead his case to get a major penalty on me.
“Fuck you, Hollins!” He skates by me, and it takes everything in me not to push him back down.
With less than a minute left, I ignore him and focus on finishing the game. Boston pulls their goalie to get an extra player, but to no avail.
SDU wins, 2-1. It was a hard-fought victory, made even sweeter knowing I put Angie’s ex in his place.
“Enjoy that flight back to Boston!” I shout across the ice to Kyle. If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under.
And I don’t mind one bit. My eyes scan the crowd andlock on to Angie’s. She’s shaking her head at me, but the smile belies her true feelings.
I know Angie is as happy as I am that we won. Nothing feels better than a win. Especially one that has my parents and Angie in attendance.
By the time I’m done showering and changing, the locker room has almost cleared out. I wave goodbye and head out.
And there is Angie, lingering outside the locker room. I’m surprised to see her here with my parents close by.
“Hey.”
“I think I’m owed something.” She waggles her eyebrows at me.
“Owed something?”
“My hat. I didn’t see a hat trick tonight, Troy.”
Laughter burbles out of me. I fish her red hat out of my bag and pull it over her head.
“Guess I need to try harder next time.”
“Mmm.” She presses up onto her toes and gives me a quick kiss. “That pass to Marcus where Kyle tried to take you out? I loved it.”
“All for you, Ang.”
