He shrugs. “You could have.”
“No.” I hold his gaze. “I couldn’t have. You realize that pass you gave me earlier was ridiculous.”
“Lucky bounce.”
“Bullshit.”
The corner of his mouth twitches like he’s trying not to smile. “Just try to keep up, Blake.”
I laugh and shove his shoulder lightly with my glove.
“Don’t get cocky.”
He laughs. “I’ll see you there, Blake.”
And just like that, he’s gone again.
Typical.
I watch him disappear, shaking my head.
Then the thought hits me.
Nora.
I wish she could’ve seen that.
The way the arena sounded when the buzzer went off. The way the whole team exploded like someone opened a bottle of champagne.
I still don’t get why she just left like that at Halloween. Or why she hasn’t tried to get in touch. I’m not exactly hard to find on this campus. Everyone knows where the hockey team practices.
Maybe she’s not single. That would make sense.
Except… it doesn’t quite feel right either.
I don’t know.
Maybe I’m reading too much into it.
Still.
Standing here with the noise of the arena ringing in my ears, I just wish I could share this moment with her.
LEONORA
That night, I can’t sleep.
But this time it’s different. This time I’m not just anxious - I’m excited.
Showcase.
I grab my laptop and pull up footage from previous years. Stuff I’ve watched before, but never like this - never as someone who might ever be playing in them.
The rink is bigger. The crowds are louder.
I watch until my eyes burn.
Then I close the laptop and lie back, staring at the ceiling.
