Page 121 of Revenge Puck

“Congrats, Lawrence,” Coach Bell from the Bobcats says when he approaches me with his hand out.

“Thanks, Coach.”

“It’s too bad you prefer California to the Carolinas. It would’ve been good to have you playing defense for us.”

“Ah, yeah, well, I never got an official offer from the Bobcats.”

“Because your agent told us not to waste our time, that you were headed to the West Coast.”

“That’s…I didn’t think I would be able to live and play in Greensboro,” I tell him honestly as I see number nineteen, skating to the locker rooms, shoulders hunched in defeat but head up, searching the stands. “You know…I haven’t signed a contract yet.”

“Is that right?” Bell asks with a smirk.

“Is the team still interested?”

“We’ll send an offer over as soon as we emotionally recover from today’s loss.”

“You’ve got a tough team,” I tell him.

“Here’s hoping it’ll be a little tougher next season.”

Shoving his hands in his pockets, he walks off the ice with his head still held high, proud of his team’s accomplishment, even if they didn’t win it all.

He seems like a decent coach. The team is stacked with great players in every position except for maybe defense. Christian and I have no choice but to be on good terms now, which means the only thing keeping me from moving to the city and team to be with the woman I love is what? A few dollars?

Okay, so it’s probably more like a million of them, but Elle’s worth every single penny.

I search the stands for her again, having no idea where she would be sitting in the packed house or if she’s still here.

But I bet I know which hotel she’s staying at tonight.

Heading off the ice, I stop in the locker room long enough to untie my skates and kick them off along with my helmet and gloves before putting on the dress shoes I wore to the arena. Then I grab my phone and I’m set.

“Nice outfit, Lawrence,” Spencer says with a chuckle as I head out of the locker room. “Where are you headed looking like that?”

“I’ve got to go find my girl.”

“We’ve got a trophy to celebrate tonight at the owner’s house!” he calls out.

“Yeah, save me a beer. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Jogging out of the arena as fast as I can in the slippery soled shoes. I call my sister first.

“Hey! Congrats on the big win!” Maya answers.

“Hey, thank you. Now I’m going to find Elle.”

“Oh. Well, good for you.”

“And I may be moving to Greensboro.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Nothing is in writing yet, but maybe you will reconsider moving…”

“I-I don’t know. He’s only met him once!” she whispers into the phone.

“I know that, but I’ve got a good feeling about this.”

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