Page 64 of Puck and Prejudice

Okay, so he might not be into it, but he went out of his way to shut up Chad’s sister. A funny feeling spreads through my chest, and my belly feels funny. I break eye contact with him first and focus on my food. I can’t develop a crush on Chad’s best friend. With his mood swings, any involvement with the man would end badly.

Jackson Darcy is off limits.

ChapterTwenty-Seven

IZZIE

After what happened at the game in Vancouver and the prank at the hotel, I thought I was done with hockey games. But Chad got us tickets to the VIP room for game seven. I had to come for Jane’s sake. It’s a do-or-die situation, and my sister is a mess.

Not that I’m any better. I’ve never been to a more nerve-racking game in my life. The atmosphere in the arena is electric, and you’d have to be dead to not feel it your bones. Whenever I’m this invested in sports… hello, sailor mouth. I don’t think Jackson’s aunt, who’s also in the VIP room, is very impressed with me. She keeps giving me scathing glances. I’m usually more well behaved, but...fuck, this game is stressful.

The score tied up 1-1 in the third period, and with only five minutes left on the clock, the win could go to either team. The crowd is loud, shouting encouragement to the Lions and booing whenever the Vikings have the puck. My voice is hoarse from shouting so much.

Even Chad’s parents, who could very well be related to Jackson with the way they act as if they have sticks up their asses, are riled up. Chad’s father is as drunk as mine, and for now, they’re best friends.

One of our players has the puck, but he fucks up and loses possession to the Vikings’ golden boy, Tim O’Connor. The hotshot center takes off, and our defense is too slow to keep up. He’s wide open in our zone and it’s him against Chad.

Jane grabs my arm. “Oh my God! Oh my God!”

My heart is racing as we watch Tim O’Connor make his move and shoot his shot. But Chad is on fire tonight, and he denies the Vikings the lead, gloving the puck. Instead of freezing it, he sends it toward Logan Kaminski, and the young forward takes off like a bullet train, dodging the Vikings’ defense.

Jesus, he’s fast.

Everyone is shouting “Go, go, go!” myself included. Jackson is already near the goal and in perfect position to shoot. Logan sees that and makes the pass. The play happens in seconds, but it feels like I’m watching everything in slow motion. Jackson controls the puck and then elevates it enough to go over the goalie’s shoulder and find the back of the net.

Jane and I jump and shout at the top of our lungs like everyone else in the VIP room. The noise in the arena is so loud that it manages to drown out the Lions horn.

“Holy shit! That was amazing,” Jane blurts out.

“It was.”

I don’t tell Jane, but I’ll never forget that play. I think I’m turning into a hockey fan after all. That’s what I tell myself anyway. It has nothing to do with the fact that Jackson scored that goal.

But the game isn’t over yet. A one-goal lead in hockey isn’t much. Now the Vikings are gunning for the equalizer. The next few minutes are intense as hell, and a few fights take place, but no team gets a power play. When there’s a couple minutes left on the clock, the Vikings goalie heads to the bench. Now they have an extra man on the ice. Shit. My stomach is twisted so tight, it hurts.

The Lions tighten their defense, with Jackson playing a huge part in it. But the couple times they clear the zone, the puck fails to go in the empty net.

“Oh come on,” Lydia whines.

Tim O’Connor rescues the puck and accelerates toward the Lions’ goal. He reminds me of the shark inJaws, going for the kill. I hope he chokes on a gas tank. But he can’t penetrate the zone easily. We’re now down to one minute of game. I’m so nervous, I feel like I’m going to throw up. I can’t imagine what Jane must be feeling.

After the Vikings’ failed attempt to score, the puck ends up in the corner, and our guys keep it trapped there as long as they can. The seconds are ticking by. The tension in the entire arena is palpable.

When the buzzer announces the end of the game, the entire place erupts in cheers. It’s a collective roar that’s as loud as thunder. Chad throws his gloves up in the air and joins his teammates in the corner. Soon, the entire bench is in the group hug.

Jane, Lydia, and I have our own celebratory hug. Everyone in the room is shouting and whistling. Euphoria has taken over, and I can hardly believe this is happening. It feels surreal. I’ve never felt such intense joy over a game outcome.

I’m in a daze when someone fills my cup with champagne, and I toss it back in one shot. Everyone is talking at once, and the collective excitement is nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I wish I could capture this moment in a bottle to relive it again.

Jane goes hug Louisa and when they break apart, both are crying. Hell. I’m misty eyed too. I turn around and find Lydia talking to her camera. I bet she’s doing a live. Typical teen behavior—if it’s not on camera, it didn’t happen.

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. It’s a message from Manuel.

MANUEL: Joder! The arena must be about to explode.

It’s insane. Did you watch the game?

MANUEL: Fuck yeah. Paco had the game on all TVs. It’s crazy here too.

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