“What if we’re tangled in this for the rest of our lives?”
“I’m already tangled in you, baby. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I’m scared too,” he admits quietly. “But I’m more scared of you facing this alone.”
He threads his fingers through mine and helps me to my feet. My wet clothes are heavy against my skin.
“You’re all that matters to me, Erin.”
His words settle inside me. And when he kisses my forehead, something other than pain blossoms.
I can’t believewe’re here.
The last few days, sleep hasn’t been kind to me. Every time Erin shifts beside me, my eyes fly open, expecting another scream, but it doesn’t come.
I didn’t think she’d want to leave the house, let alone be in a stadium full of screaming fans. However, when I got out of my shower and found her dressed, I knew she didn’t want to be somewhere I wasn’t.
So, she’s here in the stands, wearing my jersey like it’s her armor. And knowing that she’s out there settles me, because I owe my place on the ice to her—the girl who came into my life and knocked me off my axis.
The clattering of hockey sticks hitting the floor and lockers slamming yanks me back to the present. The room goes silent and I take in Hayes, standing next to Coach Avery and the GM. His eyes scan the room.
“This is it, boys. We’ve come a long way. We’ve played hard, fought harder, and we deserve to be here. We deserve a chance to play for the Cup.” There’s conviction in his every word. “This is our stadium, our town, our fans. I believe in my brothers.”
His gaze lands on the four of us. Hayes never says more than he has to, but when he speaks, every man in this room listens.
“So let’s get out there, kick The Hammers’ asses, and make it to the playoffs.”
The room booms with noise. Helmets smash lockers. Gloves pound on benches. The energy crackles around us.
I breathe in deep and head for the tunnel. The noise of the crowd slams into me, vibrating straight through my bones. It’s the loudest I’ve heard our home team. It rattles up my ribs and settles in my sternum.
We step onto the ice as we’re announced and take our laps. And then, like always, I stop and look up.
She’s there.
The whole arena fades and it’s just her, my anchor amongst thirty thousand screaming voices standing in the front row, her hands cupped around her mouth. She cheers for me, her hair in loose waves around her face. My jersey hangs off her tiny frame.
I tap my heart twice and point to her.
She blows me a kiss.
Rudy skates up beside me, waving wildly at his sister like he’s five years old. She and Rudy share the same loud and unfiltered laugh. It’s impossible not to get caught up in it. Erin waves back with the same energy.
“Let’s win this one for Jack,” Rudy says.
For Jack. For Erin. For the life I’m fighting like hell to build with her.
I’m bitingthe edge of my fingernails as the stadium erupts with chaotic fans who pound against the glass and cheer for their team.
The Tornadoes are playing with their minds on fire tonight. They’re hungry for the win, determined and focused. One more period is left. One more chance to make the winning goal.
This is their night.
The Hammers look exhausted. I’m pretty sure they already know how this is going to end and they’re simply waiting for the final blow.
A roar rips through me before I can contain it. I’m on my feet with the rest of the crowd, booing as fans slam their hands into the plexiglass below me.
Griff and Buckley drop their gloves and circle one another.
What is this guy’s problem with my brother?
