Page 31 of Wonderstruck

TheQuebec Knights weren’t just a dream—they werethedream. And the thought of standing on the sidelines while it all slipped through my fingers because I couldn't roll my r's the right way? It made my chest ache in a way I couldn’t joke away.

Burton cleared his throat, his voicequieter than usual. “I can’t lose you outthere, Finn. You’re a shoo-in for captain next year. You’re my fire in the third period when the other team’s running on fumes. And…” He paused, his hands clasping together tightly. “I know it means a lot to you. I know what this game has given you, with your background and all.”

Something in me cracked, and I couldn’t stop it. I nodded, my throat tightening, afraid that if I opened my mouth, it wouldn’t be words that came out—it would be everything I’d been holding in.

The truth was, I didn’t know what I’d do if I lost this. I didn’t know how to findanother dream, another path that could get me anywhere near where I wanted to be. Hockey wasn’t just what I loved—it was a way of protecting everything, and everyone I loved.

It was my way up.

And the thought of losing it? It scared me more than I could ever admit outloud. But what scared me even more—what left a knot twisting in my stomach—was the image of myself twenty years down the road if I didn’t pull myself together.

I sawhim.

I sucked in a breath, the air in the roomsuddenly feeling thicker than it had anyright to. “I know. And I’ll try. I promise.”

Burton shook his head, his expressionsofter but no less determined. “Don’tpromise me, Finn. Promise yourself.” He jabbed a finger in my direction, like he was trying to poke the words into my soul. “You’re better than this. So much better. Just remember why you’re doing it—and who you’re doing it for.”

“I will, Coach,” I said quietly, meaning itthis time.

“And in the meantime,” he added, his tonelighter, “ever heard of a tutor? Fineinvention, really. They help you when you suck—”

“Alright, just because I dish it outdoesn’t mean I can take it.” I groaned, but asmall grin tugged at the corners of my mouth.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Go on. Game starts in twenty, warm-up in five. Try not to drag yourself onto the ice looking like a zombie.”

For a second, I blinked, startled.

Right. Game tonight. Kind of important.

Not that I was worried about my headbeing elsewhere. I could play half-asleep, and I’d still bet on us winning. Our team was that good. The kind of good that could coast through a game even if half of us were on the bench, and the other half were hungover.

But as I headed for the locker room,Coach’s words stayed with me.Rememberwhy you’re doing it—and who you’re doing it for.

The knot in my chest eased, just a little. Maybe tonight’s game would clear therest of—

“Ooh,” a soft, delicate voice murmured as someone bumped into my chest. “Ohcrap, I’m sorr—oh.”

Oh.

That was all it took. One syllable. Onedisappointed tone. One electrified moment when the air seemed to crackle with her presence, and I knew exactly who it was.

The shock hit me like a slap as my eyesfound her.

Rory never came to the games lastyear—probably because of me, and I didn’t blame her. Not after what happened. That was why I didn't believe her when we found her skates last week. That’s why I’d done a double take when I spotted her up in the stands the other day, sitting the rest of our rebel alliance like it wasn’t a big deal. Like last year didn’t exist. Like she didn't have some secret hatred for the ice.

Or me—

“Finn?”

Myattention swung back to her as my browsshot up. “Hmm?”

She gave me a look, those brown doe eyesnarrowing. “Are you… okay?”

I nodded way too fast. “Oh yeah. Totallyfine. Completely okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Her smile tightened in that distant,indifferent way that wasn’t her. Not theRory whose smile made her cheeks pop, and the shimmer that sat on top sparkle. Like an angel.

“Oookay then,” she said, already turning to walk away.

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