Page 59 of Cloudless
Goosebumps flow across my skin as the cheering faces around me flash red and white from the spotlights moving around the space.
My heart beats like a relentless drum in my chest as Kam’s name is called last. His smile beams throughout the rink as he moves through the line of his teammates. Their grins double as he hands out his usual fist bumps. The team stand unified on the frozen stage before me.
A grin breaks out on Kam’s face as he bumps fists with an opposing player with a ‘C’ on his chest. The look they share is that of old friends instead of what I might expect from rival captains.
I raise my voice to be heard over the rumble of voices around us. “Does Kam know the other captain?”
A small smile graces Ellie’s face as she watches the teams retreat to their benches. “That’s Knox. We all went to the same high school. They grew up playing together.”
I hold my breath as the lights return to normal and the players gather in the center of the rink for the puck drop.
The puck falling to the ice and landing on the dividing line transforms the ice into a battlefield. A practiced dance unfolds as the two teams work to secure the black bullet as it flies through their ranks.
Kam takes possession of the puck and flies toward their goal like he’s unburdened by something as minuscule as gravity. All SSU players slow and come to a standstill at the halfway point of the rink as Kam sends the puck flying toward Colt, who is now isolated from the rest of the team.
Confusion flashes across Colt’s face as the stands fall silent. As soon as the puck contacts Colt’s stick, he’s surrounded by players from the opposing team. His legs fly out from under him as the puck flies through the air to land on the other side of the rink.
A collective gasp rings throughout the cavernous space as Colt disappears in the throng of players. Fists fly as sticks are abandoned at their feet.
I crane my neck as I stand to get a better vantage point. All SSU players stand idly around the center of the ice. Hard expressions take over all their faces as their coach's face turns bright red.
The boos and cheers that erupt from the stands dull the shrill sound of the ref’s whistle as the fight continues.
The screaming fans around me fade to the recesses of my mind as Kam’s eyes connect with mine.
A smirk transforms his face as he mouths,Hi, Sunshine.
Ellie whistles next to me as I hold eye contact with her brother. “This might be my proudest sister moment.”
My voice is almost swallowed up by the crowd. Vibrations flow through my feet from the stands as everyone around me gets to their feet. “What do you mean?”
A bloodied Colt is dragged out of the throng of players. Streaks of blood stain the ice as the refs clear the rink.
A team of staff carrying red bags flood the ice and surround him as he scrubs his face with bloodied hands. Streaks of red shine in his blond curls as he waves the team medics away.
Ellie’s eyes light up as she waves a hand over the ice. “I know you’re new to hockey and all, but that kind of shit doesn’t happen. Your team doesn’t just sit there while you get your ass handed to you like that.”
Frustration replaces my confusion as I search her face. “You’re going to have to spell it out for me, E.”
A shit-eating grin takes over her face. “What I’m trying to say is that was Kam’s way of getting back at Colt for what happened at the beach.” The giddiness rolls off her in waves as she grabs my hand. “Andhe did it in a way that wouldn’t get him in trouble.” She mimes wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye. “Hence, my proudest sister moment.”
My heart stutters at the thought of Kam getting in trouble for me. “Why would he have gotten into trouble?”
She shrugs like it's the most obvious thing in the world. “It’s frowned upon to fight with your own team on the ice. Fighting with the other team is basically expected.”
Colt retreats slowly to the bench as the staff clears the blood from the ice. “So, you’re saying Kam orchestrated that fight? For me?”
She nods her head so adamantly, I’m not sure how it doesn’t fall off. “Yes, and yes.”
I’m speechless.
Utterly speechless.
“Why would he do that?”
I don’t realize I said that out loud until she answers me. “Because he’s crazy about you, L. Isn’t it obvious?”
My mind reels with snapshots of these past weeks.
