I wave to the crowd decked out in navy and light blue as I disappear down the tunnel. I’m sure I’ll be roped into talking to the press, but for now, I’m going to ride this high.
“Hell yeah, Nicky!”
“Way to go!”
The guys welcome me into the locker room like a king, causing a blush to creep out on my cheeks. I like keeping my head down and playing a good game. It’s how I’ve always wanted to play my game.
“Already kicking ass and taking names,” Troy calls out as I head to the wooden stall of my locker, ready to shuck off these pads.
“Okay, okay.” I wave him off, dropping into the seat, lit up from above.
“Hey, take the praise when you can. That was a fan-fucking-tastic game, Nicky.” Cash snaps his towel my direction before hitting the showers.
“Glad you were able to make the save when they stole the puck.” Noah winces.
He’s still been struggling since getting injured. It’s hard watching him play when I know the player he can be. His speed and strength hasn’t been there this season.
“We all have a bad game. That’s why it’s a team sport.”
“All thanks to you.”
I grab my towel, bypassing the Black Diamonds logo that takes up the center of the locker room floor—it’s bad luck to walk on it—and hit the showers, letting the steam wash over my tired muscles. With tonight’s win, we’re in a solid position this season. We started strong, something every Stanley Cup champion wants to do, and we’ve carried the momentum this far.
Is it too much to already hope for back-to-back wins?
Rapping my knuckles on the tile—just in case—I turn off the water and head back into the locker room.
As soon as I’ve changed into my game suit, and then talked to the press, Coach Barney is calling for everyone’s attention. Bexley is standing next to him. She’s always down here after postgame interviews.
Encouraging the team. Lifting us up when needed. She’s the best GM out there as far as I’m concerned, no matter what the press says about her.
Doesn’t hurt that she’s easy on the eyes. I only wish I didn’t stare at her every time she makes an appearance.
Her gaze sweeps across the locker room, stopping for a moment longer on me. Did I imagine it, or did her smile get a little bigger?
Probably only because of the shutout and no other reason.
I don’t know how I can be the confident player between the pipes and turn into a high school kid with a crush around this woman.
Coach’s words bring me out of my self-flagellation.
“Alright. Our player of the game goes to Nick. Great job on shutting out an excellent team. Dallas is going to be a team that will make a deep playoff run, so fantastic job,” Coach Barney calls me out, clapping loudly as the rest of the team does the same. “We’ve got a hard stretch of games coming up, and I don’t want anyone getting complacent. Keep working hard and playing the hockey I know you’re capable of, and we’ll go far.”
Nods and agreements are heard all around the locker room.
“Enjoy the win tonight, but not too much, and I’ll see you all at one for a light workout. You’ve earned the morning off.”
“Hell yeah!” Noah shouts, swinging an arm around me. “Nothing like skipping practice after a win. Thanks, man.”
“I’ll try for shutouts more often then.” I laugh.
“Nicky, you coming out to celebrate? A shutout? You can’t say no,” Cash tells me.
I roll my eyes at him as I grab my keys and wallet and stuff them into my pockets. “Fine.”
“Don’t sound so excited,” Noah says. “Oreo will be fine.”
I point at him. “This is why I’m a better parent than you.”
