“Yeah, Coach?” I look up with what I hope is a cool, controlled expression.
“I know it’s been a hard month for you, Murphy.” He crosses his arms, but his tone is slightly less aggressive. “You’re the star, and I benched you. A lot of guys wouldn’t have taken that so well. But you did. You behaved like a real team player, a good sport. I’m impressed.”
My brow furrows, and I’m confused.Was all this a fucking test?
Clearing my throat, I nod. “Thank you, Coach.”
“I like what I see in you, Murphy. That’s why I’m putting you back in the game, full-time like before.” He lowers his hands. “Now get out there and get ready to lead. Don’t make me sorry.”
“No, sir.” I nod, a smile creeping across my lips. “I won’t let you down.”
I grab my stick and walk out to the noisy arena. The guys are all over the place stretching, waving, circling the arena, tossing pucks to friends and fans alike.
Lifting my chin, I take in the familiar atmosphere. It’s anticipation and excitement and music and cheering. I actually start to laugh.
My skates touch the ice, and I’m flying. It’s like a weighted blanket has been whipped off my shoulders, and I’m light as a feather. I’m on fire. I’m skating faster, taking practice pucks quicker, and slamming them into the net.
Gavin glides up to me, a big grin splitting his lips. “What’s going on?”
“Just had a chat with Coach, and I’m off the bench. Tell the guys. We’re doing this tonight.”
“Hell, yeah!” He holds up a hand, and I slap it. Only he holds mine, pulling me to him for a hug and slapping me on the back. “Just like always. Gav and Mav.”
I give him a slap on the back before pushing away. “Mav and Gav, you mean.”
His low laugh follows me as I skate away, making me smile along with him. This is what I love, being out herewith my team, ruling the ice. We’re ready to run this town tonight.
It’slate in the second period, and the pace of the game has gotten faster. All night, I’ve stolen glances at the stands where Dove is bouncing up and down, cheering with the girls, and waving every time she catches my eye. Every time, it’s a blast of energy to my chest, making me smile.
She’s wearing my jersey over a white turtleneck like before, only this time, her hair is in a high ponytail, and the end bounces around her chin. She’s so fucking pretty, and it reminds me of that part inGreasewhere Sandy is a cheerleader at the football game. Adorable.
Only, Knox is right there beside her, putting his hand on her back and speaking in her ear. Every time he does it, she leans forward, laughing and blinking up at him. It’s the one thing that melts my perma-grin.
“Hey!” Gav shouts at me, waving his hand. “T3G?”
I snap out of it, getting my head back in the game and nodding. “Let’s do it.”
Owen and Hancock are right with us, getting in there and ready to run our old play.
To Coach’s credit, the opposing teams clearly switched strategies when I wasn’t playing as much. They started studying the other guys and spent less time focused on me.
It’s almost like I’m a new guy again, and they’re all scrambling to remember how to block me and stop my play—other than body checking me into the boards, which has also happened more tonight than in past games.
I’ve got the puck now, moving fast down center ice. A defenseman comes at me, and with a slap, I send the puckover to Owen. He takes it away, moving around to the right before sending it across to the opposite corner of the net, where Gavin has just looped around from behind.
He catches the goalie off-guard, sending that guy scrambling to block him, before Gavin sends it over to Hancock.
More scrambling. Hancock passes it to me, and with a slap shot, it lasers straight into the net.
The crowd explodes with air horns and bells, screaming and chanting. The Jumbotron lights up withMake Some Noise, and our hype songs blast through the speakers. We’re on fire, and I’m so fucking happy, I drop my head back to laugh.
I’m one goal from a hat trick, and it’s been a while since I felt this good.
Gavin skates right to me, putting his arms around my waist and giving me a bear hug as we glide together to the center, where Owen and Hancock are waiting.
“Nothing like what works.” We’re all high on being back in a rhythm.
I circle around, ready for the face off, when I glance up to see Dove deep in conversation with Knox. His hand is on her waist, and he’s speaking right in her ear. My jaw tightens, and I’m fucking pissed.
