I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t stop my blush. Hewasa bit of a food bully, but in a good way.
A loud beep went off in the room, signaling that they’d start rolling soon. Kappy smoothed back his dark hair. “Enjoy the game, ladies,” he said with a grin, then he leaned down to whisper something in Piper’s ear before grabbing her butt and kissing her.
Piper blushed deeply while swatting him away.
I weighed my head to the side, staring at the two of them. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the two of them not screaming at each other.”
“I know, right?” Mer said with a laugh. “It’s like we’re in an alternate universe.”
As soon as warm-ups started, the three of us wandered down to our seats. The last time I was in the stadium, I couldn't fully focus during the game because I was too distracted by all the huge life changes going on. But this time, my eyes were glued to JP, the sweet boy that I loved who became the strong, respectful man that I wasinlove with. Watching him glide to his spot on the blue line for the first face-off of the game, my heart filled with an overwhelming pride that I’d never felt before.
And watching him score at the top of the second period and celebrate on the boards with his teammates in front of us made itfeel like we finally reached the calm after a chaotic storm. He grinned right at me before skating back to the bench.
“Wow, JP’s on fire tonight,” Mer said, still clapping for the goal.
“Yeah, I think tonight’s one of his best games,” Piper agreed.
A content smile slid onto Mer’s face. She threw her arms around our shoulders. “That’s because all is right in the world.”
Smiling so hard my face hurt, I leaned my head against hers. I knew what she meant. For the first time in years, I felt like I was finally at peace.
“Wanna get some food after this period?” Mer asked. “I’ve been craving one of those pretzels with warm cheese.”
“Ooh, yes,” I agreed. “I haven’t had one of those in years.”
“The concession stand up by section 205 always gives the most cheese,” Piper said right as her phone went off. As soon as she pulled it out, her face went serious.
“What? What’s wrong?” I asked.
Her perfectly manicured brow furrowed as she typed back on her phone. “Kappy’s not feeling well.” Her eyes darted to the press box.
“Isn’t he still on air?” Mer asked, looking at Piper’s phone. “How’d he text you?”
Piper chewed nervously on her bottom lip. “I don’t know, but food is gonna have to wait. I’m going up there.”
As I moved to the aisle to let Piper pass, the crowd around us started yelling. I snapped my neck back to the ice to see JP flying down center ice on a breakaway.
“Go, go, go!” I cheered.
I practically held my breath as his #26 jersey billowed behind him. He was about to make a move when a defenseman from the other team slid forward, taking out JP’s legs.
JP lost his balance and hit the ice, and he was moving way too fast to stop himself. He slammed into the boards in front of us with a loud thud, making the boards actually shake.
The crowd let out a collective groan right as the buzzer went off to end the second period.
Within seconds, the players on the ice started brawling and the crowd started heckling, but I wasn’t paying attention to any of them.
Because JP was still down on the ice.
No, no, no.
One ref came over to check on him while the other refs were trying to break up the fights.
“Who was that?” someone in the crowd shouted. “Who went down?”
Mer grabbed my hand, but I couldn't feel it. I couldn't breathe. My entire body felt like it was encased in a vise-like grip. They weren’t even showing a replay on the jumbotron, so it must’ve been bad.
Get up,I mentally willed.Get up right now, JP.
