Page 144 of Of Pucking Course

“I’ll always be here for you, Sam.”

My heart pounds in my chest the second the words leave my mouth, hoping my words mean as much to him as his do to me.

Intensity flashes in his eyes as he gazes at me. “You mean that?”

“Of course I do.”

When he smiles at me, I can see his heart in his eyes. For a moment, all I can do is stand there, that overwhelmed feeling intensifying with each passing second.

I never thought I’d feel this way again—this dizzying, all-consuming need to be with someone. To make them happy. To be with them always. But with Sam, that’s exactly what I feel.

When he looks down at my jersey, hisgaze turns fiery again. “You wearing my jersey is gonna bring me extra good luck tonight. I can feel it,” he says.

That nervous feeling inside of me turns to joy. Maybe that’s why he looks so happy right now. Because of me.

I can’t help the giddy grin that splits my face. “You think so?”

“I know so.” He winks and skates off, leaving me feeling like I’m floating.

Chapter 51

Sam

Istretch out on the ice before our game with Montreal, my gaze fixed on Dakota sitting behind the net.

I should be going over everything Coach Porter said to us in the locker room. I should be scoping out the Montreal players, sizing them up, looking out for any weaknesses.

But I’m not. Because all I can think about—all I can focus on is how fucking incredible Dakota looks wearing my jersey.

Raw energy surges through me. One look at her wearing my name and my number on her body, and I feel like I could fly to the moon and back. My entire body is buzzing.

She’s sitting in the stands, cheering me on, proudly wearing my jersey.

I think about how many times I dreamed about this moment. It’s honestly kind of embarrassing. More times than I can count, I’ve fantasized about Dakota being my girlfriend and proudly wearing my jersey for everyone to see.

And now it’s finallyhappening.

Dakota is my girlfriend, and she’s wearing my name and my number.

That raw energy turns to raw want.

I can do anything in the world as long as she’s by my side.

When I stand, I go through my usual stick handling routine. I notice the blade of my skate feels a little loose, so I head over to the bench and ask the assistant equipment manager, Nathan, to tighten it.

“Thanks a lot,” I say when he finishes.

“No problem,” he says.

I notice Will, the equipment manager, looking between us. He frowns at me before walking over to where the sticks are. I thought he’d be happy that I didn’t bother him for help, but he seems mad about that, too. I shake my head, annoyed. I still have no idea what that guy’s problem with me is.

I go back to my warm-up routine. After a minute, Del skates up to me.

“I saw Dakota wearing your jersey.” He looks over at her, then me. His expression is unreadable.

My anxiety kicks up. I know he said he’s cool with us being in a relationship, but I know moments like this—when Dakota and I are affectionate or romantic with each other—must be weird for him.

I clear my throat. “Uh, yeah. She is.”

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