Page 79 of Wild Blades

Coach knows we nailed it yesterday during training. “I’m ready.” I push my mouthguard between lips, and then throw a wink at our captain, Spike.

“Then let’s show them what we’re made of.” Jordy shoots off while I pick my gloves up and get my head back in the game, which is where it should have been this entire time.

The puck hits the ice, and Jordy and I are powering forward with only one purpose: control the puck to score the winning goal.

Quicker than I can snap my fingers, Jordy steals the puck from one of the Bears’ players, and I’m right there with him to assist. Snaking between two of the best defensemen on theBears, I do a three-sixty, surprising them with a broad smile as I turn in front of them and distract them, so they don’t see what’s coming.

Jordy zooms in front of me, and I break away in a sneaky move so fast, they don’t see him passing me the puck.

Sweat oozing from every pore, adrenaline rushing through my bloodstream as I power forward, I head straight for the end zone. Determination and passion overriding any ounce of fatigue I was feeling, I flick the puck backward between my legs in an unexpected move, but Jordy’s right there to block it, and with all the velocity of the sound of light, he flicks it to Spike, who passes it back to me on the blue line, and I unleash a one hundred mile an hour slapper when I draw back my stick and I take the shot, aiming for the tight space between the goalie and the top left hand corner of the net.

A heartbeat apart, the goal horn blares then the Klaxon blasts through the arena confirming we won and scored with less than a second to spare, and it’s game over for the Bears.

“Bring it,” I yell at the top of my lungs, raising my hands over my head as I shake my stick in the air.

Chest heaving, I’m being jumped on from behind by my teammates. Each one of us crashing into one another as we form a giant ball of celebration, while the fans whoop and cheer as if trying to deafen us.

I remember this is why I play hockey. For the team spirit, the feeling of being part of something greater than me, for the rush. Something I haven’t felt in over a year. “I fucking love you guys,” I roar as they continue to slap my helmet and swaddle me.

“Feeling sentimental?” Spike does a slow-motion punch to my jaw.

“Yeah.” I wipe my nose, pretending it’s the sweat pouring down my face and not from the tears that have leaked from my eyes.

Why the hell am I feeling so emotional?

“Best game you’ve played in months, man. Keep up the good work.” Spike pulls me into a big bear hug.

This feels good. I slap his back twice in a brotherly-love way.

I guess all I ever wanted was to feel good enough, something I haven’t felt in what feels like forever.

As we separate from each other, I drive off, powering down the ice in Kali’s direction to find her bouncing up and down, clapping her ass off and chanting my name over and over in time with Rory and his two friends.

I spit out my mouthguard and flip the Perspex eye protector up on my helmet. “Did you see that?” I look at Rory, then flick my eyes to her.

“Hell, yeah, we did, didn’t we boys?” Kali continues to clap, looking every bit like my girlfriend, making me feel weak at the knees and not from the lead weight fatigue currently attacking my body. It’s how good she looks wearing my name and number. She’s never worn my jersey to any of the previous games.

The three kids scream a loud “yes” in harmony, sounding like the cat’s choir and it makes me laugh at how few front teeth they have between them, but how excited they are about everything. “Meet me round the back in ten.” I point to Rory and then wave at his parents.

“I’ll escort them,” Kali jumps in, thumbing over her shoulder at the two security guards standing behind her that I recognize from the sneaker store. Surrounded by fans wanting selfies and autographs, it’s lucky she brought them, or she would have been swamped. It’s weird having someone in my life who is more famous than me. I like it because it takes the attention and focus off of me most of the time, which is a bonus.

I jut my jaw out in acknowledgment, trying to play it cool, although secretly excited that I get to see her properly for the first time in days.

Maybe she’s finally talking to me again.

I hope she is.

I miss her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Wade

“That was fun. Rory loves you and he’s so cute.” Kali, alongside one of her bodyguards, follow me into the locker room and I should tell her to stop, but I don’t. Coach will be hot on our heels to debrief.

After dozens of photos and signing every piece of memorabilia Rory and his buddies brought for me to autograph, we waved them off, and since then she’s been so busy running through a list of stuff to share with me, she hasn’t noticed what room she’s standing in, or the instant drop in noise as my team gawk at her as they listen into our conversation.

“You were amazing tonight.” She beams at me as I pull off my gloves and throw them down.

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