Page 20 of Forever After All

As the medic kneels on the ice, one of the Seals players shoves one of our guys.

Yeah, I'm that involved now that I'm calling them “our guys.”

A full-scale fight breaks out, and the poor team medic is hit around the head with a hockey stick, and falls backwards onto the ice and cradles the back of her head. Mac De Luca skates out from his net, pulling his own player off the ice. There are bodies on top of bodies. Fists are flying. Helmets and gloves everywhere.

Carter stands up and shouts, "Eject him. Now!"

Screaming and shouting can be heard from everywhere.

Aside from the injuries, this is honestly more exciting than I could have hoped for and I’m wiggling in my seat.

The thrill of seeing grown ass men fighting over a flat piece of rubber needs to be studied.

As quickly as they start, the fights are finished. A lot of penalties given and two players are ejected from the game. The team medic gets up off the ice and, finally, so does King. The fans all applause. But, he'll be out for the rest of the game.

"Well, that was exciting!" Autumn exclaims from beside me.

"Oh my god, wasn't it just? I came here wanting to see a fight,and a fight I got." I press my fingers to my mouth, hoping to keep the excitement inside of my body.

"Jesus fucking Christ. In all my years of playing and watching, I have never seen that. I hope Saskia is okay. Fuck," Carter says with genuine worry in his voice, and runs his hand through his hair.

"Saskia?" I ask, never hearing her name before.

"Yeah, she's the medic that got smoked. These stupid pricks can take it. They're wearing protection. She just took a stick to the head. The worst part is it was one of our own fucking guys she got hit by."

Suddenly, I feel less excited and a little guilty that someone may be truly injured, and someone without any protective gear.

"I hope she's okay. That poor woman." A little ball of worry for her starts to swirl around in my tummy.

The game is back in play, and the tension has been amplified.

"The Glassneedsto win this game," Carter says to Autumn and Sawyer.

2–2 The Glass ties it up.

"Fuck yes! Come on!" Carter bangs on the glass once again. "That was a great shot." Cheers erupt around the arena.

A text pings, and I feel it vibrate in my pocket. It's a text from my mum. Weird. She never texts me.

Mum: Hey honey. Are you okay? Did you hear the news?

Me: News?

3–2. The Glass are ahead.

"Amazing work by the defence!" Sawyer reaches over and punches his brother in the arm.

Mum: Yeah. The news about Danny.

My throat seizes up just seeing his name on my phone.

Mum: He's dead, Al. Drug overdose. His mum found him with a needle sticking out of his arm. Such a shame. He was such a nice boy when you were together.

Well, fuck.

4–2. The Glass’ attacking line sets up a shot and it’s hammered into the back of the net by a guy called Smith.

Me: No, mum, I hadn't heard. I'm at a hockey game. I'll reply later.

---