Page 44 of Not the Puck Bunny

The entire arena, including Cam, who was standing in the middle of the ice, staring at the screen along with everyone else.

Shit.

Shit.

“Shit.”

I handed back the empty water cup, stood and grabbed up the rest of my hotdog before fleeing from the box.

Chapter Eighteen

Cam

Coach tookone look at my face as I stepped off the ice. “Go,” he said with a sigh.

I wasn't going to have my head in the game until I was sure Andi was all right, and he knew it.

Seeing her face on the screen like that, knowing she couldn't breathe, while the whole damn arena watched… My heart had stopped. Ached.

She could have died.

She could have died.

I bolted into the locker room and threw myself down onto a seat. In approximately half a second, I tore off my skates, cup and padding and ran for the door in my shorts and socks.

I all but flew down the corridor toward the elevator that led up to the private boxes. I skidded toa stop on the slippery floor, sliding the last foot before slamming, shoulder first into the elevator door.

I swore under my breath. That hurt like a bitch. I jammed my thumb down on the up button, holding it there until the doors slid open. I tumbled into the elevator car and jabbed at the button to close the doors.

Because I was in a hurry, they took at least three days to close. Of course it fucking did.

I'd started to jump out of the elevator and take the stairs, when they finally slid shut.

They barely started to open on the next floor before I was sliding past them and running to the team box.

I tried the door, but it was locked. I hammered it with my fist.

After a few moments, it swung open, revealing one of the arena security staff.

“Mr. North,” she said politely.

“Where is she?” I looked past her, trying to see Andi, but I saw no sign of the gorgeous redhead or her wild curls.

“Where is who, sir?” The security guard stepped back, letting me in, but clearly confused.

“Andi Welling,” I said quickly. “The team owner. She was here.”

“Oh. I don't know, sir,” the guard said politely. “She slipped out a couple of minutes ago.” She gave me a funny look, and glanced out towards the ice. The game started, but I couldn't bring myself to care at the moment.

“Did you see what direction she went?” I asked impatiently.

“I'm sorry, no I didn't,” the guard said. “Only that she was in a hurry to leave.”

“You let her leave?” I stared. Andi could have died and they'd just let her walk away?

“I'm here to keep people out, not in,” she said, starting to look irritated. Apparently she didn't appreciate the suggestion she wasn't doing her job right.

I might feel bad about that later, but like the game, I couldn't worry about that.

---