Page 97 of One Shot

She told me to wait until I make a final decision and have offers to tell her, but I want to play for the Blackhawks more than anything. Well, almost more than anything. Sure, I like what Nashville and even some of the west coast teams have to offer, but my dream has always been Chicago.

“You’re always amazing, Lucas, on and off the ice,” Laur declares. “After all, you are the Captain of the NCAA Division I . . .”

“Okay smart-ass.” I kiss her before she can keep talking. This girl has made my junior year season more exhilarating than I could have ever imagined.

On Selection Sunday, the Wyverns are announced as one of the sixteen teams to go on to the playoffs. Unfortunately, East Michigan is also selected. They made it by the skin of their teeth. Laur isn’t happy about it, neither am I, but that’s out of my control. I have to focus on what’s in my control and clear my head.

We hit the road for the first regional round of the tournament. I gave Coach Andres Nick’s notebook, with Laur’s blessing. He has notes on literally every single NCAA men’s hockey team. He must have spent hours watching games and jotting down notes. Maybe I should start. He weaves Nick’s advice in with his pep talks and throughout practices.

Luckily, we don’t start off playing East. If we both win this first round, we will have to face them again. Since no one’s had the balls to bring it up to me, I’m guessing Nathan Kovek’s probably playing again.

We beat the University of Minnesota: Duluth in the first round by two goals. We all watch East Michigan vs University of Michigan game later that day. University of Michigan is ranked much higher based on their regular season wins. I’d still rather risk playing them than playing East. My eyes sweep across the ice, spotting Kovek. I was right, he’s off injury, and no one wanted to be the one to tell me. But I purposely didn’t look either.

East barely beats University of Michigan in overtime. Great, now we play East and Fuckface to make it to the Frozen Four.

If we win, I will be doubly happy as I would have been winning against the University of Michigan. If we lose, I’ll be ashamed, embarrassed, and emasculated. I know it’s stupid but having Kovek win against us when I know what type of person he is would make me feel like less of a man, less of a protector, less of a good boyfriend. Just less.

I haven’t had time to see Laur; I know she’s here, but these games are back-to-back. I wish I could kiss her just once before I facing East. I might sound like I’m whipped for saying it, but I don’t care.

I say she’s my good luck charm, but truthfully, she calms me. Plus, I want to check on her and make sure she’s okay, knowing we are about to play her abusive ex-boyfriend again. I’m not sure how she carries herself with such grace and understanding. She handled it so amazingly the last time we played East.

I’m leaving the hotel with some of the guys, and I hear my name being yelled. I don’t think anything of it because there are a lot of people here. But then I hear something that sounds like “Captain Boyfriend.”

I turn to see Laur running towards me.

“Who let you past security?” I joke.

We do have some security at the arena and in certain areas of the hotel. Not as much as there is surrounding the Frozen Four games, but security is still prevalent at the regional rounds too.

“Coach did,” she retorts out of breath. “But I woke up late.”

Her eyes are barely open, and her hair is wild. She does look a little disheveled.

“I just wanted to say good luck and to show you my new jersey,” she says. “I didn’t get to show it to you before the last game. I thought it would be better in person than a picture over text.”

She turns around to show me “Captain’s GF” on the back of her black Wyverns jersey. I laugh and kiss her.

“I love it, and I love you,” I declare against her lips. “Thank you for finding me.”

I’m being ushered out the door to get on the bus to the arena.

“I love you too!” Laur shrieks, “Good luck! Kick his ass! I mean not literally, just win! Good luck!”

I’m laughing again. I’m glad she doesn’t seem to be too distraught with Nathan. Luckily, she has her mom, Dominic, and Bren to keep her company. My family is here somewhere, but I haven’t had time to say hi to them let alone introduce Laur.

We’re warming up on the ice and I see Kovek. Fuckface feels the need to lock eyes with mine. Does he think I’m threatened by him? After the last game, he should know I’m not afraid of him and I can easily kick his ass.

“Luc, we have to play nice,” Liam reminds me.

“I know, I’m not doing anything. The guy is just glaring at me. What am I supposed to do?”

“He’s trying to get under your skin. Fuck him. He doesn’t matter,” Tyler sneers, clapping my back hard as if it will give me a confidence boost.

“This is our game to win,” Connor chimes in.

They’re all right. We’ve got this; I’ve got this, and I need to shake it off.

The first period is rather uneventful. It ends 0-0. Luckily, no one is playing dirty, including Kovek, but we haven’t been on the ice together for long. Coach Andres gives us a quick pep talk.

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