Page 68 of The Breakaway

"TIMMIE!" Crystal yelled, pumping her fist.

Bear, Rory, and Axel pushed hard up the ice, their sticks slicing through the air as they passed the puck. Rory broke through the Wolves’ defence, setting up Axel for a one-timer. My heart leapt as the puck soared toward the net, but the Wolves’ goalie made an unbelievable save, sprawling across the crease to smother it.

"So close!" Maddie groaned, clutching her scarf. "They’ve got this. They just need to keep pushing."

Time ticked on, and the game remained deadlocked. The Wolves’ forwards were relentless, testing Tim again and again, but he was freaking perfect, his saves drawing deafening cheers from the crowd. Then, with eight minutes left, disaster struck. The captain of the Wolves threaded a pass through Rob’s skates, and their winger buried the puck in the top corner.

The rink fell silent for a split second before the Clearwater fans erupted in celebration. My stomach dropped. Rob skated to the bench with his head down.

"They’ll come back," Crystal said firmly, as if sheer will could make it true. "There’s still time."

The Outlaws threw everything they had at the Wolves in the final minutes, but the Wolves defence held strong. With less than two minutes left, the Outlaws pulled Tim for an extra attacker. The crowd was on its feet, screaming encouragement as the puck zipped around the Wolves’ zone. Rory fired a shot that hit the post, the clang echoing like a bell through the rink.

The crowd let out a communal groan when the final buzzer sounded. It was over. Clearwater had won, two to one. The Wolves celebrated at center ice while the Outlaws skated back to the bench, their shoulders slumped.

Maddie nudged me. "You okay?"

I’d chewed my lip to a pulp. “Yeah. Fine.”Not fine.My stomach was twisted up like an old garden hose. I wanted to go down and see Rob, make sure he wasn’t beating himself up. Which, of course, he was.

But I couldn’t. Rob wasn’t my boyfriend. I wasn’t going to sneak down the stairs and meet him in the secret hall outside of the locker room.

Instead, I followed Crystal and Maddie out of the rink, the three of us making our way to Ranchmans for our gift exchange. The bar was bustling as always, filled with students blowing off steam and shit-talking after the game. We found a quiet corner and settled in, Maddie pulling out a bag with a flourish.

"Okay, Sharla, you first," she said, handing it to me.

I opened it to find a beautiful maroon scarf with gold accents like the one she was wearing. My throat tightened. "Did you make this?” She nodded, her eyes bright. “Maddie, this is perfect. Thank you."

“Sorry, the surprise is already ruined.” Maddie grinned and handed Crystal her gift. I couldn’t have been more thrilled that all three of us could twin it up at the games from now on.

Crystal handed over her gift next, a set of fancy sheet-music-themed notebooks and a pen shaped like a violin bow. "For all your musical genius," she said with a grin. Maddie opened hers and laughed at the syringe pen and notebook wrapped in math equations.

I gave them each their gifts next. They laughed at the shirts and loved the soaps. We exchanged hugs, and I was glad we’dsaved this for tonight. After that heart-wrenching loss, we all needed a bit of a pick-me-up.

After a few more laughs and some food, Maddie dropped me off at home. The townhouse was quiet and dark as I let myself in. I’d secretly hoped Rob might show up at Ranchmans after the game, but he hadn’t.

I frowned. He still wasn’t home. After putting my shoes away and hanging up my coat, I set my new gifts in my room and flopped onto the couch. I ignored my yawns and flipped on the TV. Tomorrow I was leaving to go home and I already had my things packed. I would just . . . stay awake for a while.

I wasn’t waiting for Rob. I was winding down.

There was a difference.

_____

I jolted awake to knocking. I rubbed my eyes, confused by the sound and the furniture I saw around me. This wasn't my room.

Then I remembered the night before, lying on the couch, watching a movie after the invitational championship game.

Waiting for Rob.

I glanced over. The TV was off, and a blanket was pulled over my body. Had I slept there all night? Adrenaline flooded my system when I realized Rob must have found me like this.

Another knock. It was coming from the front door.

I jumped up, dragged my fingers through my hair, and rushed to the peephole. I cursed under my breath when I saw my mom's face distorted through the glass. I swung the door open and tried to sound like I hadn't just woken up.

"Hey, Mom," I threw out my arms and stooped to give her a hug. "Just a second. I need to grab my things."

She frowned. "I've been knocking for almost five minutes. Did you not hear me?"

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