Page 61 of Icebreaker

I couldn't stop smiling as I looked around. Once we saw the plans, my teammates and I agreed to be on hand and mingle with the fans. It was the least we could do for the thousands who supported us in our opening season.

The awe-inspiring centerpiece of the event was a giant, inflatable obstacle course that covered the rink. It included candy cane hurdles, a snow globe tunnel, and a climbing wall decorated to look like a stack of oversized presents, ribbons serving as hand and toeholds.

Axel stood beside me, and I watched him turn in a complete circle to view the transformed space. "Damn, Quinn, you weren't joking about the team going all out. This place looks insane."

I laughed and bumped his shoulder. "Right? Go big or go home. Gotta make a splash in our rookie year."

Axel scratched his head. "Mission accomplished, then. Check out the kids. Their eyes are bugging out of their heads."

"That's the point." I waved my hand around. "It should be something magical and unforgettable. Hopefully, they will go to school tomorrow and talk about this amazing event held by the Lumberjacks."

"I think you've got a big, mushy heart, Quinn. You'd be great with kids." I shivered when Axel ruffled my hair.

I looked down momentarily and rubbed the toe of my right sneaker against the temporary rubber flooring. "I think I just like to make a difference when I can. We've got such a fantastic platform to accomplish great things. It would be a shame not to use it. If we can put a smile on somebody's face, we've done something wonderful."

"Aww, that's sweet." Axel reached for my hand, and we wove our fingers together. "Your kindness and generosity are two of the things I love about you."

I leaned against his shoulder and shared a quick kiss. "I love you, too, even if you are a sappy old man."

Axel laughed loudly, and I heard the sound echo through the arena, turning a few heads. "Old man, you say? Didn't I agree to participate in this wild obstacle course you mentioned? I'll show you old. Race you to the starting line?"

He didn't wait for an answer. Axel started weaving in and out, darting between bewildered fans like he was on the ice, pushing a puck with his stick. He showed surprising agility, and I grinned as I did my best to keep up.

When he reached the official starting line for the obstacle course, he skidded to a sudden halt and looked up at the holiday present climbing wall. As I pulled up by his side, I watched his mouth fall open. He reached up and rubbed his chin.

"Are you having second thoughts?" Trying to keep up with him did leave me a little winded, and I leaned over with my hands on my knees.

Startled by my question, Axel turned to face me and grimaced. "I…um…," he waved his hand at the course, "I don't know that I can do this. Look at it all. It's a technicolor deathtrap."

I laughed at his description. "I'm confident it's not that bad. They designed it for kids as well as adults. Safety protocols are necessary with all of that. If a child can deal with it, surely a big, burly defenseman like you can, too."

Axel glared at me. "That's easy for you to say. You're so young…you're practically still a kid yourself."

"Hmm…not sure whether you mean that as a compliment or an insult." Either way, it was apparent that Axel was genuinely nervous. "I don't think anyone will be too upset if you back out. It's all meant for fun. We're not battling for the Stanley Cup today."

Axel stared at the course, moving his head, bobbing, and weaving like he imagined taking it on. "Okay, I'll do it, but if I break a hip, you will be the one to explain it to Coach."

I rubbed his bicep, feeling a surge of affection for my man who could face down any opponent on the ice but found a modified bouncy house a daunting rival. "That's a deal." I reached my hand forward to shake. "Let's get out there and show the kids how to do it."

Axel's big paw nearly swallowed my hand like usual. "Lead the way," he declared. "This old man wants to share some holiday cheer."

Many of our teammates were already waiting, and we kicked off our sneakers and took our places at the starting line with them, standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Axel set his jaw, but I could still see a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. I'd never felt so in love as at that moment.

Many of the guys wore festive gear specifically for the day. Max had a Santa hat perched jauntily on his head. Sergei shocked us by wearing a full elf costume, complete with pointy boots. Kids of all sizes lined up along the sidelines to cheer us on.

Coach Fraser appeared at the starting line with us. He raised his right hand high. "On your mark," he shouted. "Get set…Ho Ho Ho!"

We were all off to take on an entire sea of inflatables. I tried to run across the bouncy surface and immediately face-planted. Others dove headfirst and slithered forward like snakes. I laughed as I heard Axel curse when he went down just behind me.

I reminded him of the family nature of the event. "Language…there are children present."

He grunted and caught up to me out of sheer determination. Next were the candy cane hurdles. I had some experience running hurdle races in high school and charged forward, clearing them with ease. Axel's long legs helped him keep up. We simultaneously arrived at the snow globe tunnel entrance, slightly ahead of the other competitors.

I thought the tunnel looked easy. All we needed to do was make our way through a rotating tube. It turned out to be highly disorienting. The contraption moved just fast enough that it knocked Axel and me off our feet three times like towels tumbling in a dryer before we managed to exit out the other end.

Looking at Axel, I watched him wobble back and forth. We were both a little on the dizzy side. I pointed forward. "Wall of presents next."

Axel started to curse again, but I laughed when he held a hand over his mouth to stop the words from being audible.

---