Page 215 of On the Breakaway

“You keep trying to coach them from up here.”

“Pretty sure that’s your job.” My lips twitch, which is as close to a smile as it’s going to get when I’m trapped up here.

“Exactly. Maybe you should leave me to it.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “This is torture.”

“Not supposed to be fun.” He chuckles before settling back into his seat.

A whistle cuts through the arena as a commercial timeout starts. The crowd gets louder as thousands of conversations blend together while I sit quietly, my leg bouncing at hyper speed.

My phone vibrates against my armrest, and I snatch it up, desperate for something to distract me.

Just seeing her message is enough to make me relax.

Chaos: How’s the game?

Me: Tough to watch. I feel like I’m going crazy.

Chaos: Last game before you can play again.

I glance back toward the ice where the officials are still scraping snow from the crease before typing out a response.

Me: Could be the last game of the season if it doesn’t go our way.

Chaos: It will go your way.

Me: Awfully optimistic of you.

Chaos: Maybe these days I’m feeling optimistic.

Me: That’s terrifying.

I smile despite myself.

Chaos: Good, you’re smiling. That’s better.

My brows furrow as I stand and look through the crowd.

“Is this seat taken?”

I turn instantly to find Avery standing in the suite with her hands on her hips, grinning at me. The air leaves my lungs as I take her in, the entire arena disappearing. She has an overnight bag slung over her shoulder and is wearing a Blades jersey with my number on the front.

Her grin widens as she spins a quick circle, showing off my name on her back. Before she’s even finished spinning, I step to her and grasp her face between my hands. When our lips meet, my entire body relaxes.

It’s slow and possessive, our mouths lingering before I remember where we are and what is going on around us.

“How’d you get in here?”

“I guess there are some perks to being the captain’s girlfriend.”

Girlfriend.

God, I’ll never get tired of hearing that.

I kiss her again quickly before we head back to my seat at the front of the suite as the game resumes play.

“What are you doing here?”