Page 55 of Gamechanger

I slumped against the boards, lungs burning, legs trembling. We'd given it everything we had, pushed ourselves to the absolute limit. And even though we'd fallen short, when I looked around at my teammates, I saw not defeat, but pride. We'd battled right to the bitter end, together.

As we skated off, Axel caught my eye. "Hell of a game, kid," he said, voice gruff with emotion. "Hell of a season."

I nodded, throat too tight for words. We'd lost the game, but somehow, I felt like I'd won something far more important—my confidence.

The locker room was a mix of exhaustion and subdued pride as we filed in after the game. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and equipment, punctuated by the sharp tang of adhesive spray.

"Damn," Blaise groaned, collapsing onto the bench in front of his stall. "I feel like I just went ten rounds with a grizzly bear."

"You look like it too," Sergei quipped, tossing a towel at Blaise's head. "Maybe grizzly would improve your ugly mug, eh?"

Laughter rippled through the room, breaking some of the tension.

I started unlacing my skates, wincing as I peeled off my sweat-soaked socks. Every muscle in my body ached, but it was a good kind of pain. The kind that said we'd left it all on the ice.

"Hey, Finn," Axel called from across the room. "That goal of yours? Pure fucking poetry, kid."

I felt my face heat up, but couldn't hide my grin. "Thanks. Thought I was gonna pass out after that breakaway."

"Nah, you were flying out there," Blaise chimed in. "Seriously, what's your secret? Rocket fuel? Illegal cybernetic enhancements?"

"Maybe he just works harder than you, lazy ass," Sergei laughed, dodging the wadded-up tape Blaisethrew his way.

Coach Fraser walked in then, his face a mix of emotions. "Alright, men. Gather 'round."

We formed a loose circle, some of us still half-dressed, others already showered.

"I know this isn't how we wanted the season to end," Coach began, his voice gruff. "But I want you all to know how proud I am of the effort you put out there tonight. You played with heart, with grit, and with pride. That's all I can ever ask of you."

He paused, looking around the room, meeting each of our eyes. "We've got a lot of work to do in the offseason, but right now, I want you to hold your heads high. You've earned it."

As Coach finished, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Dr. Chen, the team psychologist. "Finn, a word?"

I nodded, following her to a quiet corner of the room.

"I just wanted to say," Dr. Chen began, her voice low, "that I've been really impressed with your growth this season. Not just on the ice, but off it too. You should be proud of yourself."

I swallowed hard, oddly touched. "Thanks, Doc. It's been... quite a journey."

Back at my stall, I overheard snippets of conversation as guys discussed offseason plans.

"I'm telling you," Blaise was saying, "beach volleyball is the ultimate cross-training. You in, Finn?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Think I'll stick to ice, thanks. Less sand in uncomfortable places."

"Your loss, man. Hey, you bringing Moose to the end-of-season party?"

The question caught me off guard, but before I could answer, Sergei cut in. "Of course he is. We all want to see if Moose is as cuddly as his name."

More laughter, but it was good-natured. I felt a warmth in my chest that had nothing to do with physical exertion.

"Yeah," I said, surprised by how easily the words came. "Yeah, I'll bring him. Just don't expect him to share his protein bites. Those are strictly rationed."

As the banter continued around me, I caught Axel's eye across the room. He gave me a subtle nod, a silent acknowledgment of how far we'd all come. Not just as a team, but as people.

A few minutes later, the press room buzzed with activity as I made my way to the podium, the sharp scent of coffee mingling with the musty odor of damp wool suits. Camera flashes popped like lightning, momentarily blinding me as I took my seat. I blinked, willing my eyes to adjust as I scanned the sea of expectant faces.

"Finn Novak, ladies and gentlemen," the PR rep announced, her voice crisp and professional. "We'll start with questions."

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