The words spark on my tongue, but I hold back.
I need to be patient. I don’t want to push her.
I skate off to finish my warmup and refocus on the game.
* * *
I head to center ice for puck drop.
My gaze zeros in on Logan, Briar’s ex. He’s a defenseman, so he’s standing on the far side away from me.
The guy who tried to force himself on Briar is standing a dozen feet from me. The guy who put his hands on her. The guy who threatened her.
Rage blasts through me. It feels like lava is running through my veins.
I breathe. The rage inside of me sharpens and narrows. I focus on the puck.
When it lands on the ice, Nick is all over it. He takes off toward the opposing team’s net, passing it off to one of our teammates. A Chicago player trails him, so he passes it off.
Leo gets possession of it. He looks for an opening to shoot it into their net, but the Chicago University defense is all over him.
I’m toward the edge of the cluster of players from both teams. I’m far enough away that I’m not involved in the current frenzy, but close enough that my teammates can pass to me.
Leo passes it over to Nick since he’s closer, but before Nick can grab it, Logan steals the puck and takes off.
That caged animal energy from earlier propels through me. Now I have a game-related reason to maim this motherfucker.
“He’s mine,” I say to Nick, who’s going after him. He eases back instantly.
I pump my legs faster, closing the gap between Logan and me.
With each second that passes, I pick up speed. And then I slam him into the boards.
He groans as he falls onto the ice. The home crowd gasps, then cheers.
I don’t even look at him as he struggles to get up. I grab the puck and take off with it toward the Chicago net.
I speed across the ice, passing the puck to Leo when a guy from the opposing team gets in front of me.
Leo passes it to Nick, who speeds toward the net. I follow behind, watching the goalie’s helmet bob back and forth as he tracks Nick’s stick.
Nick glances behind and sees me. He winds up like he’s going to shoot, but at the last second, he passes back to me. I slap the puck. It sails past the goalie’s glove and lands in the corner of the net.
My teammates surround me. The home crowd goes wild.
When we break apart, I find Briar in the stands. She’s on her feet, arms in the air.
My heart swells in my chest. That’s my girl cheering for me. That’s my girl wearing my jersey.
My girl.
She beams at me. I grin and wink at her.
I turn around and head back to center ice with the rest of my teammates. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Logan looking at me.
He turns toward the stands, where Briar is, then looks back at me. Recognition flashes in his eyes as he skates toward his team.
He glares at me. I grit my teeth and look away.
