All of that changed when Quinn came walking—well, more like messaging—into my life. Thank God I didn’t scare her away with that feline connection joke.
She’s all that matters now. As much as I would love to lift the Cup above my head, she’s the most important thing.
And I hate that I’m not there for her when she needs me the most.
“You good, man?” Graham asks as we head out to the tunnel for the puck drop to start the game.
“I’m good.” I nod, blowing out a breath.
Hockey. I can’t think about anything else.
With a win tonight, we can lock up a playoff spot. That’s all I need to worry about. Knowing Quinn is watching—and will be pissed if we lose—carries me through the start of the game.
Hopping over the boards to start my shift, I do everything I can to keep the momentum for the Knights up. Noah and I are skating well together, keeping the Black Diamonds off the board. Their goalie is one of the best in the league, but Bode is better, capitalizing on a missed pass.
Marcus chirps with Hollins, a friend of his from college, after the goal. Even though it’s 1-0, they won’t let the game get too far ahead of them.
That’s exactly what they do. They tie up the game before the second period, and take the lead with an easy goal at the start of the period from Cash Williams, one of their stars who also happens to be married to Noah’s sister.
Noah stops a goal from going in by taking one to the pads, and I’m able to grab the rebound and take off down the ice. Our winger is right there with me and I fire it over to him to tie up the game.
Fuck, yeah.
This is exactly what I need. We’re skating hard and giving Colorado a run for their money.
They are always one of the best teams in the league, and it feels fucking amazing to be tied with them right now.
Marcus and Bode take the ice, and watching the two of them play together is a thing of beauty. The way they read each other on the ice? It’s only something you can learn from playing together for so long.
We end the second period tied at 2-2 but come out swinging in the third. They aren’t ready for us and we get two easy goals to pull ahead.
They get another goal halfway through the third, but we’re able to fend off their advances to close out the game 4-3.
“Playoffs, baby!” Noah claps me on the helmet as we skate off the ice. “I’ll never get used to this feeling.”
“Feels pretty damn good,” I say, meaning it.
Because even though hockey isn’t the most important thing in my life anymore, it still feels amazing.
“Great goal tonight,” Graham congratulates me as we head into the locker room.
“Thanks, man. Their goalie was caught off guard.”
Graham shakes his head, tossing his gear into his stall. “Doesn’t matter. A goal is a goal and without it, we wouldn’t have locked up the playoff spot.”
“He’s right,” Bode agrees. “We need to celebrate when we get home.”
“Sorry, men. Looks like we’re not getting out tonight,” Coach Andrews says as we all gather around him post-shower.
“Fuck.” I bang my head against the back of the locker. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
“Anything we can do to help?” Marcus asks.
“Assuming Noah filled you in then?” I turn to look at him.
“Yeah. Sorry, man. Not ideal but you want to get home in one piece.”
“I know. I’m going to call Quinn when we get back to the hotel.”
