The buzzers sound, and I’m surrounded by my guys hugging and yelling. Akers’s gloves fly in the air, and helmets are off. Gavin has me around the neck, and I can’t see a damn thing. All I know is I’m laughing. The whole team is spilling off the bench to join us on the ice.
“You’re a fucking mess,” Owen laughs, shoving a towel into my hand. “But you did it.”
My helmet is off, and I wipe the blood out of my eye.
“Best thing I’ve seen all night.” Saxon grabs me around the neck.
“We did it,” Donovan laughs, slapping my back. “We fucking did it.”
Owen receives the Hart Memorial trophy, which is the MVP in Hockey. We all slap him on the back, congratulating him as he glides past. Then two fellows in suits carry the three-foot silver trophy out and set it on the table.
Another guy talks about how iconic and hard it is to win, then I’m called up to receive it for the team. He says something I don’t even hear, and my eye is bleeding again, so I can’t read his lips. I nod and smile, taking the cup off the table and turning to the guys. I skate to where they’re all waiting, and when I get there, they circle me cheering.
I skate it around the rink, holding it over my head and cheering, and the guys are right at my side. Gavin takes it from me, skating over to the place where Haddy and Gina stand with the girls. I wipe my eye again, going to where they are, and we all shout to each other.
My cousins laugh as they wipe their faces. Owen takes a brief turn before handing it back to me. The guys point and yell, and I take it to the center, lowering it to kiss the side.
It’s back over my head, and a guy has a mic in my face asking how I feel. I find a camera, looking straight into it.
“Dove,” I yell as loud as I can. “We did it, Dove. That’s one. Now I’m coming for you.”
32
DOVE
“He’s just like Rocky,” Darcy cries as we cling to each other in the middle of Lagniappe.
Tears spill onto my cheeks, and I watch my Mav with blood all over his face yelling my name into the camera and saying he’s coming for me.
“It’s his favorite movie,” I snort, holding my hand over my snotty nose.
Joy surges through my chest at the sight of them skating around with that giant trophy, kissing it, passing it around, and hugging each other. I know how much it means to all of them and how hard they worked. It’s so special to have had just a little part of it.
The group of locals in the bar crowd around us slapping our backs, and even Mr. Georgia gives me a handshake.
“Good game,” he says, and I thank him.
My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. Things might be falling apart at home, but at least here, one half of our equation is working.
My man just won the Cup.
On the bar, my phone bounces with all the vibrations. I scoop it up to see the screen covered in texts from Gina and Haddy. They’re all saying I should be here, and they need me here.
Then the screen changes color with a FaceTime call from Maverick.
“Maverick!” I yelp as his face appears on the screen. “Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!”
His hair is wet, and his face is clean. It looks like he’s in the middle of a shower. I hustle out the side door to the small patio off the restaurant and bar so we can talk.
“The guys are spraying champagne everywhere,” he laughs, his hazel eyes sparkling.
I can’t help a laugh, and more tears fall onto my cheeks. “You were incredible tonight.”
“How are you doing?” His expression grows more serious, and I see him walk from the room to a more private area. “You okay?”
“Yes, yes!” I shake my head. Then I realize and nod quickly. “Don’t worry about me right now. Enjoy this night. It’s huge!”
“You should be here.” His voice is quiet, and I hiccup a breath.
