We all grab out gear and start heading out to line up.
Standing, I make my way to the front of the line where I see Hannah and Kailyn passing by with medical supplies. They both stop as they approach with smiles and laugh lines across their faces. “Hey, you guys ready for tonight?” Hannah asks in a cheery tone.
“Hell yeah we are. You can never underestimate us, Han,” Beckett says from next to me as he puts his arm over her shoulder.
“If this were last season, I’d think you were lying, but you're on fire this year. So keep it up,” she says, and we all nod at her.
Beckett’s attention moves over to Kailyn, a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the woman of the hour.”
She looks at him, eyebrow quirked and a puzzled expression taking over. Her question is directed at me. “What is happening?”
My mouth quirks into a small smile as I step up to her, my hand sliding around her waist and pulling her into me. On instinct, she nuzzles into my chest, and I press a kiss onto the top of her head.
“The guys all found out about us on the bus ride over here. I hope that’s okay?”
Kailyn blinks her eyes, a sleepy look on her face also mixed with so much joy and adoration. Her skin is a bit pale and the color in her eyes look dull, like she can barely focus on what’s right in front of her.
She presses up on her tip toes and kisses the underside of my jaw. “Of course it’s okay, handsome. I’m happy to be yours.”
“Damn, you both are so cute together.” Beckett wipes a fake tear, his voice purposefully shaking as if he’s crying.
“Ohh shut up, you.” I tease, and we all laugh.
“I’m serious though. You both look really good together, and anyone that makes my Jakey Poo smile like that is top tier in my book.”
“Jakey Poo?” she asks with a hint of amusement in her tone.
“Don’t ask.” I mumble in her hairline.
She chuckles at me before snuggling further into my chest, her entire body deflating as if she was holdingherself up before. I can feel the heat from her skin on my hands, since I don’t have my gloves on just yet. She feels clammy, sweat beads forming on her forehead that stick to her skin.
“Hey, are you feeling okay?” I cup the back of her neck, pulling her closer to me.
“It’s just been a long day, and I’m tired. But I’m good otherwise.”
“Hopefully once the game starts, you’ll find your second wind, and it’ll fly by.”
“Yeah, hopefully.” She smiles at me, and from the way she’s acting I know something else is going on, but I don’t push just yet.
Taking a step back, I smile down at her, winking as the stadium lights go up and the line starts to move.
“Welp, duty calls. Have a good night out there. I’ll see you after.”
“Shouldn’t I be the one saying that to you?” She teases, and with one final wink at her, I’m skating into the ice, ready for a battle against Boston.
Chapter 24
Jake
We’re up two to one going into the second period against Boston and tensions are running high. It’s been an all out battle, and I wasn’t expecting anything less from them. We set up for the face off. Maddox wins and passes the puck between his legs to Connor, who shoots it to the right and sends it to Brayden.
The puck hits Brayden's stick just as one of Boston's players comes up from behind him and steals the puck out from underneath him. He then passes it off to one of his forwards behind the net who is able to skate around it, catching Beckett off guard and causing him to score a wraparound goal. The lamp lights up signaling a goal, making the score two to two.
“It’s okay, boys. It’s only the second period, and we still have a lot of time left in the game. Let’s keep our heads focused!” Coach yells as we all skate back to the bench for a line change.
“I should’ve seen that coming.” Brayden sighs frustratedlyas he rips his helmet off and squirts water all over himself to cool down.
“It’s not on you. He was behind you. You couldn’t have known he was coming.” I try reassuring him.
