“Gentlemen, listen up.” Coach Barney’s voice cuts through the pregame chatter and everyone quiets down. “We have the ceremony before the game. Jerry is one of the best to ever suit up for the Black Diamonds, so let’s get out there and show him the respect he deserves.”
“Yes, Coach,” everyone chimes back at him.
Grabbing my jersey from my locker, I pull it down over my pads and grab my helmet, stick, and gloves.
I amble down the tunnel and when I step onto the ice, every worry I’ve had flees my head. Right now, it’s only hockey. Going through my pregame ritual, I get myself in the game. I know there will be a lot of pomp and circumstance with Jerry here, but I don’t need to worry about that.
When the lights go down, I follow the rest of the guys to stand in a line behind the red carpet that’s been rolled out for tonight.
The man of the hour and his family walk out with Bex and her dad behind them. My eyes follow her every move, but hers stay focused ahead. I’m sure she doesn’t want to draw any unnecessary attention to us.
Standing here on the ice gives me the chance to assess Bex’s dad, the team owner.
Stephen Hart. He’s a force to be reckoned with. I met him briefly after I was drafted, but the man scared me shitless. I was fresh out of college and worried about getting drafted and earning my place with the team.
Now? Now, he scares me for an entirely different reason. Because I want to be someone that is worthy of his daughter. I know Bex loves him, so his approval means everything if I’m going to be her boyfriend.
Boyfriend.
Somehow that word doesn’t seem to fit what Bexley and I have together. Doesn’t fit everything that has been going on between us these last few weeks.
It’s been hard. Really fucking hard. Trying to get people to accept our relationship hasn’t been easy. Hell, I still haven’t introduced her to my family.Officially.
I’ve blocked out most of his speech before a video montage starts playing of Jerry’s career here. Getting antsy, I’m shifting on the ice, trying to stay loose for the game. Stephen and Jerry are talking and laughing as the video rolls on.
It’s easy to see the camaraderie the two of them have. I don’t know how long they played together, but looking between Cash and Troy, it’s something we have. Something this whole team has.
It’s one of the reasons I love this team. Every guy is always there for one another. Even when times are tough, as they feel like now, we’re there for each other.
By the time it’s over, complete with guest appearances from past players, the crowd is on their feet. Hopefully this energy will carry us through the game.
“I’m proud to announce that no other Black Diamond will ever wear the number eighty-seven again,” Stephen booms out as fabric drops from the rafters with his name and number.
The two men share a hug before Jerry takes the mic.
“It’s good to be back, Black Diamonds fans. It’s been a long time.”
If possible, it gets even louder in the arena. We really do have the best fans in the entire league.
“I was blessed to get to play my entire career with Colorado, and let me tell you, there is no better organization than this one. They lead with their heart, always putting every single person on the team first.”
His words strike me like a lightning bolt.
Lead with their heart.
It’s exactly what I haven’t been doing. I’ve been so wrapped up in my head about what everyone else thinks, that I’ve pushed what I want to the side.
Why am I letting pundits and sportscasters determine my future with Bex? We’ve been playing it scared instead of standing up and fighting for our relationship.
Bexley is standing behind the two of them, looking gorgeous as ever. But even from my spot across the ice, I can see how tired she looks.
I hate how much this has been affecting her. That the press is calling into question her dedication to the team.
Fuck it.
I make a decision. I don’t give a shit about anything else right now except for her. Going against everything I know, I go for it.
I lead with my heart.
