Page 58 of Hooking

Channing

I watch as the clock counts down. This could be it, the final game of the season if we play our cards right. I watch as our third line battles it out with Tampa’s offense. Tampa’s lines are strong, but ours are stronger.

Coach signals for a line change, and I hop over the boards, ready to finish this. Four minutes left of regulation play. Anything can happen, but I won’t let it. Tampa pulls their goalie in hopes they can manage to score a goal, however it’s the wrong move on their part. Almost their entire line is in our zone. One of Tampa’s players attempts to pass to someone deeper in the zone, but before they even have a chance to get the puck, I’m there, intercepting the pass. I rush down the ice on a breakaway and aim for the net as I hit the puck. We watch as the puck glides down the ice and into the lamp, lighting it up.

One minute and thirty seconds is left on the clock as the guys on the ice with me celebrate. We’re now up by two, and the odds of us taking the Cup shine in our favor. As I skate back to reset for the next faceoff, I can’t help but wish Cassidy and Scottie were here.

Cassidy wanted to come, but I didn’t want her to feel like she had to leave Scottie alone in the hospital. She’s probably screaming at the top of her lungs right now.

The fans start the countdown, the blow horn sounding as it finally hits zero. Confetti falls from the ceiling as the entire team rushes our goalie on the ice.

Stanley Cup champions. Back to back at that. It was always a dream of mine, but now, I realize that dream is meant to include Cassidy and Scottie. God, I wish they were here right now.

The staff hands out hats and shirts as they prepare to bring the Stanley Cup on the ice. Brooks meets Mr. Richards, management, and the Richards family on the red carpet as the commissioner congratulates us once again. Raising the Cup high above his head, Brooks takes a lap around the rink, fans cheering us on before he passes it to me and so forth and so on.

Family filters onto the ice, and I’m shocked to see Cassidy’s parents making their way toward me. We embrace in a long hug before both move out of my way to reveal Cassidy and Scottie waiting for me.

Wait?

Cassidy and Scottie are here?

Holy shit. Is all I can think before I’m skating over to her and pulling her into a hug. “You’re here. You both are here,” I say, kissing Scottie gently on the head.

“We wouldn’t miss this for the world,” she says, as she wraps me in a side hug. “Scottie was discharged this evening, and we couldn’t miss her daddy win his second Stanley Cup.”

“I love you,” I say, pulling her into a hot, frantic kiss.

Before long, we’re ushered to take a team photo before getting the opportunity to take individual photos. Brooks brings the cup over to me and sits it on the ice. Cassidy takes Scottie’s blanket and gently places it inside the cup, before placing Scottie inside. Her eyes tightly close as we crouch down beside her and take a family photo.

Family photo.

Gosh, I can’t remember the last time I was able to say that.

I take my phone and instantly upload the pic to Instagram. “The Halloways,” the caption reads.

Now to make that a true statement.

Epilogue Two

Cassidy

1 month Later

“Has anyone seen my crissandwich?” Hayley says, walking around the bridal suite, the back of her dress unzipped.

“It’s right here,” I say, walking over to her trying to stop her from pacing a hole in the floor. “Will you relax?”

“Relax? Relax?” she says, sarcastically chuckling. “You try relaxing knowing there are three hundred people out there waiting for you to say I do.”

I scoff as I walk over to my champagne glass. I was her a year ago if she remembers very clearly. At least she’ll make it to the I dos and mean them.

“Knock, knock,” Sydney says, walking through the door. “Are you ready to become my sister-in-law? Gosh, I always wanted a sister.”

Hayley smiles at her before it slowly fades from her face. I look to Sydney and see that her smile is wooden and tight. “What’s wrong?” I ask Sydney as she fidgets with her dress.

“Nothing.”

“That’s not nothing,” Hayley says, taking a bite of her sandwich. “You look like you’re about to puke, and I thought for a moment that was because I was marrying your brother,” she says, taking another bite before speaking with her mouth full. “But I know that’s not true, so spill.”

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