“C’mon. C’mon.”
Graham is flying down the ice. His puck control is flawless as he fires off a slap shot toward Nick, and it flies right past his shoulder and lights the lamp.
“Yes!”
Fuck. That goal was a thing of beauty, putting us in the lead against one of the best teams in the league. My old team.
Alex is congratulating Knox after the goal as the guys swarm Graham on the ice. If I were on the ice, I’d be down there. Right in the thick of it.
Thinking of how we would be celebrating later if that were the case has a dull ache settling in my gut. Because that is not going to happen anymore.
I push it away, trying to keep the energy up for the team as they battle it out for the last few minutes. The home crowd is trying to get the Black Diamonds back into it, staying on their feet for the rest of the game to try and even the score. Even when they pull Nick from goal, it’s a fruitless effort.
The Knights beat the Black Diamonds 2-1.
“Hell yes!”
The guys are clapping each other on the helmets before heading off the ice. It was a hard-fought win against one of thebest teams in the league. The Knights looked fucking amazing out there. Sure, there are things we need to clean up, but that’s how most games go.
Piper saunters up to me, her arms crossed and an annoyed look on her face. “Pretty proud of yourself,” she tells me.
“The guys looked fucking awesome out there.” I can’t hide my excitement for them. “C’mon. You have to be a little excited that your brother’s team won.”
“After you beat my fiancé’s team? We’ll see.”
I don’t miss the smile on her face as she turns to head back into the suite.
The feeling of victory is something I’m used to in this building. I thought it would be harder to see my team win without me on the ice, but it wasn’t.
It felt amazing to see all of their hard work pay off. We still have a long way to go if we want to make it to the playoffs, but the Knights have a bright future ahead.
One that I’m ready to play an active role in as soon as I’m in shape again.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you this happy in a long time.” Dad comes over to my spot in the suite and stands next to me. “It’s nice.”
“I know I wasn’t out there for the win, but I felt like I was a part of it, you know?”
Dad nods. “I know the feeling. It’s still your team out there and you want them to do well.”
“Doesn’t hurt we beat my old team.”
I never would have heard the end of it if they beat us. At least I can rub it in their faces when I see them.
“That’s the spirit.”
The stands are emptying around us as I take some time to savor this moment.
“You know, Dad, over the last few seasons, I was really starting to wonder if I was more harm than good to my team.”
“Noah—”
“No, I’m serious,” I interrupt him. “It seems like I’ve been riding the bench more than I’ve been on the ice, but maybe it just means I’m moving in a different direction. That I can help coach my team and help the younger players learn more than just being the star.”
“That’s a good attitude to have. The team wouldn’t have put you on IR if they didn’t care about you as a player. I can attest to that more than anyone.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I wish I could be out there with the guys, but maybe I’m up here for a reason.”
What that reason is, I’m still figuring out. But at least I’m starting to get my sanity back and not be so tied up in the fact that I’m not playing right now.
