Page 82 of Breakout
Twirling, I show him my back before turning back to him.
He looks so pleased, and that feeds a part of my soul I didn’t know existed. I feel good when I make him happy.
He holds up his hand and taps his ring finger, and I know what he’s saying.
Wife.
I’m his wife.
“Well, that’s a new development. What does that mean?” Grace asks as he skates off.
“It’s an inside joke,” I tell her, not able to keep the smile off my face.
“Whatever it is, I like the way it makes you smile. Carefree looks good on you, Pey,” Cora adds.
They let the topic fall as they each give attention to their own guys. Then the guys clear the ice, the national anthem is sung, and the game starts.
I never watched hockey before I met Grace. In fact, the first game I had ever been to was the one we went to when she still thought she was in love with Kellan.
Now I’m addicted. It’s so fast-paced. You have to keep your eye on the ice at all times, otherwise, you will miss something. It gets your blood pumping as you sit on the edge of your seat.
We score first, Clay scoring with Beckett getting the assist. We are screaming and cheering as we hug one another. Thenthey score, making us chew our nails with worry. The puck flies back and forth down the ice until the buzzer signals the end of the first period.
“Anyone want anything?” Grace asks.
I shake my head, sitting in my chair as I wait on pins and needles for the next period to start.
When it does, I’m back on the edge of my seat watching with rapt attention. The second period comes and goes without anyone scoring. I start throwing up prayers that the guys win. They’ve worked so hard for this. I know the other team has too, but I want my guy to win. So selfish, and yet I still pray for it.
If it wasn’t rude to stand the whole game, I would have been on my feet, but I stay in my seat as the third period starts. Beckett is on the ice first with Kellan. He flies down the ice, tossing the puck toward Kellan.
Kellan flicks it back to Beckett. They do this twice more. On the third pass, a player from the other team slams Beckett into a wall, making him crumple to the ground.
I gasp, tears filling my eyes as I fly to my feet, leaning over the seats in front of me.
Kellan takes off his gloves, pushing the other player into the glass. They get into a scuffle as Beckett gets to his feet and skates off the ice. Kellan earns himself a penalty, but so does the other guy for the unnecessary hit.
I stare at the back of Beckett’s head as the team doctor looks over him.
“He’s going to be okay.” Cora wraps her arm in mine.
“I know,” I say, but my eyes still don’t leave him.
The game goes on, but my only focus is my husband. What would I even do if he ended up in the hospital? I’m his emergency contact now, right? I make all the decisions about his health and care. I haven’t even asked him what he would want.
Fuck. This is too much pressure for me.
I’m spiraling when he finally turns. His eyes find mine, and he gives me a small smile.
I take a deep breath, letting the tension melt away.
He’s fine.
Thank God he’s fine.
I honestly have no idea what I would do without him.
That was one hell of a game. We had to claw our way to the win, but we did win. We made it to the semifinals.
