Page 11

She’s here.

I was not expecting to see her, and there she was, right on the other side of the plexiglass. Close enough I could have reached out and brushed my hand over her dewy skin. Meeting the gaze of those round blue eyes threw me off my game, and not just for the few seconds I stared at her in shock. I was off my game for the rest of the final period.

My teammates and I make our way back to the locker room, everyone high-fiving and celebrating our win. The Eagles’ locker room is much nicer than the one in Quebec. They dressed it up with dark-stained wood and a large rug featuring our Eagle mascot. The ceiling is even lit with a giant light fixture in the shape of an eagle head. But no amount of lights and details can disguise the fact that it’s a locker room, and it smells like Shrek’s feet.

My mind drifts back to my lack of finesse during the final period and I slump down in my seat, hanging my head in shame. I not only choked in front of my new teammates but also Melanie. How embarrassing.

“Kershaw, what was your problem out there?” Mitch Anderson, whose locker is next to mine, asks, his voice laced with anger.

Coach Young interrupts before I can answer. “That’s enough, Anderson. Kershaw scored two goals tonight; how many did you score?”

Mitch doesn’t speak, and the entire team is staring at me now.

I run my hands through my sweat-soaked hair. “Sorry about that final period, boys. I don’t know what got into me.”

Colby Knight, who’s seated on my other side, speaks up. “When you came back from getting slammed up against the glass, you looked rattled. Are you injured?”

“Physically, no,” I mutter under my breath.

“Don’t sweat it, Kershaw. You’re all still learning to play together; it was the first game and you guys did great. We’ll learn from our mistakes and do better next time.” Coach tells us before walking closer to me and giving me a friendly smack on the shoulder.

“Thanks, coach.”

Coach puts his fists on his hips and glances around the room. “Okay, boys, get comfortable but stay decent. A congressman and his wife are coming back to meet the team.”

Mitch groans next to me. I swear this guy is always in a bad mood. The rest of us remove our jerseys and some of our pads but keep our undershirts on. Just enough to cool down without giving the congressman's wife too much of a show.

If it wasn’t for our fanbase, we wouldn’t be here. Greeting fans is part of the job, and I don’t mind it. Being recognized constantly and asked for autographs can get annoying some days, but there’s nothing better than making someone’s day by giving them a puck or posing for a selfie.

Our GM, Tom Parker, walks into our locker room and taps his fist on the wall a few times. “Everybody decent? Our guests are here.”

Coach Young glances around the room. “Yep, we’re all good in here, Tom!”

Tom and Coach Young could pass as brothers, both are tall and lean with dark hair that’s turning grey at the temples. Tom has blue eyes though and Coach has brown. They even tend to dress similarly. Tonight they’re both wearing black suits with red ties.

I look between the two of them. “Do you two call each other ahead of time and plan this?”

Coach Young rolls his eyes. “It’s not my fault Tom is always copying me. Probably since I’m so stylish.”

Tom laughs. “Yeah, sure. I’m the one copying you.” He shoots coach an over-exaggerated wink. “I’ll go grab our guests.” Tom smiles and leaves for a few seconds before coming back.

I’m expecting two people: the congressman and his wife. But there’s a third person hiding behind the couple.

“This is Madden Windell, one of the state representatives from Kansas. And his lovely wife, Odette.” Tom places a hand on Madden’s shoulder.

They’re much younger than I was expecting, maybe thirty? Madden looks to be just as fit as the guys on our team, and his wife is pretty.

“Tonight was our first time attending a hockey game and it was awesome. Great work, guys! We’re fans for life now.” Madden tells us with a wide grin, showing off a set of perfect teeth. Some of the guys in this room would kill for a set of teeth like that.

Tom introduces Coach Young and all the guys on the team. Madden starts looking around like he lost something, then glances behind him to the third person.

He laughs. “Don’t be shy! Get out here and say hello.” He and his wife gently drag the person standing behind them forward, and my heart stops at the sight of Melanie.

“This is my assistant, Melanie.” He introduces her and the team comes forward to shake her hand.

When it’s my turn, I step forward toward her. It feels like everything is happening in slow motion; I’m so nervous. I take her tiny hand in my large one and we stare at each other. Her cheeks are red with an enticing blush and her big blue eyes—they’ve always reminded me of a cartoon princess—are studying me. She’s the same petite, beautiful girl I grew up with. But now she’s all woman with an hourglass figure that can’t be hidden by the pink cardigan she has draped over her delicate shoulders.

“Hey, West,” she says quietly, drawing my attention to her perfect cupid’s bow lips.