Page 52 of Icebreaker
Axel touched my cheek. "And what do you want now?"
"That's an easy question." I smiled. "You. I want a great life with you on and off the ice. It's the dream that stands tall above all others."
He kissed me, and our tongues tangled together, tasting, sucking. There, under the stars, I knew I'd found my dream.
As the fire died down to glowing embers, I faced Axel. My heart was so full I thought it might actually burst. "I've dreamed about something like this many times, but I never thought I could have it. I can hardly wait to see our future unfold."
Axel's eyes shone in the moonlight. "You're beyond my wildest dreams, Quinn. But now that I have you, I'm never letting go."
Chapter seventeen
Axel
Afew hours before our next game, I strolled into the locker room with my gear bag slung over my shoulder. A lot of psychological weight had lifted from my shoulders, making my steps feel lighter. The familiar scents of sweat, disinfectant, and leather skates welcomed me. It was my home away from home.
Sitting in front of my stall, I spotted Quinn on the other side of the room. He had his friend, Moose, with him, and they were deep in conversation with Coach Fraser. Seeing Quinn talking with anyone was nothing new—he had a gift for making new acquaintances into friends, and he could talk for hours about any topic, from detailed hockey strategy to the latest superhero flicks. I took a second glance and thought there was somethingdifferent about how he gestured wildly with his hands, his eyes on fire with excitement.
I shoved my bag into the stall and wandered over, trying not to look like I was snooping. As I neared the trio, I heard brief pieces of the conversation.
"…partnership with Moose's environmental consulting firm…huge opportunity for the team…fun for everybody." Quinn waved his hands to create pictures in the air.
Coach nodded, and a rare smile appeared on his face. "I think it's a great idea. The suits got it right this time. NHL Green has made significant progress, but we will take it even further. Sustainability is the wave of the future, and the sports community needs to get with the program."
Meanwhile, Moose bounced on the balls of his feet. "Just wait until you see the organic snacks I've lined up. The guys are gonna love 'em!"
I cleared my throat to announce my presence. They all looked at me at once. Quinn's smile was suddenly even wider.
"Axel!" He bounded to my side and gripped my arm like an excited puppy. "You're never going to believe what Moose's company is doing for tonight's game…and maybe for the future."
I raised an eyebrow and tried to play it cool, acting like I hadn't heard any of the discussion. "Yeah? Did they raid a huckleberry patch?"
Moose laughed. "No, but one of my buddies can show you where to find them."
Quinn waved off the comment and took over. He told me all about the plans Moose hatched with the team execs. "They're going to have eco-friendly refreshments for the fans and the players. We will jump in and do our part for a sustainable world. It should give the team some big, positive press, if nothing else."
I chuckled softly at Quinn's enthusiasm. "The Lumberjacks are going green. Isn't that a little ironic?"
"Irony is the spice of life," Moose insisted. "Let's throw our arms around the concept with a big, tight hug."
Coach gripped my shoulder. "Axel, it's a good plan. We can stand out from other stodgy teams by being the plucky upstarts who aren't afraid to take on forward-thinking ideas."
A few minutes before the earliest fans arrived, Quinn and I wandered through the arena to check out the new ideas on display. Our usual large plastic cups and nacho trays were gone, replaced by compostable options. We had twice as many recycling bins as usual, and they all featured our Lumberjacks logo and his slogan, "Chop waste for a greener future."
I picked up one of the compostable cups and looked it over. "Gotta give Moose some credit. He's outdone himself this time."
Quinn beamed. "That's my buddy. When he gets an idea lodged in his head, he carries it through."
At the concession stand nearest the main arena entrances, two of Moose's colleagues set up bright displays of organic snacks. They had stacks of bright-colored fruit, cut veggies, and some brown squares I couldn't quite figure out.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Lumberjacks' dynamic duo," called out one of the pair, a tall, slender woman with warm, brown skin and a halo of curly, dark hair. Her voice was bright and melodic. "It's great to see you, Quinn, and…um…and…"
"Axel," I supplied helpfully.
"Axel, that's right."
Quinn recognized her instantly. "Hey, Nala, I didn't know you would be here." He turned toward me. "Axel, this is Nala Wildwood. She works with Moose on many projects and is one of the few people who can keep him in line when necessary."
Nala laughed. "It's not tough. Moose is one good egg."
