Page 146 of One Good Puck
“Oh, honey.” Abby leans back, cradling Emma’s face in her hands. “I’m so sorry. That man…” She trails off, hesitating. “I’ll explain everything later when we’re at home.”
My heart aches for Emma. Poor kid is probably so confused on top of being terrified. But Abby’s right not to get into it right now. Not when Emma is this upset. Not in front of all these people.
“Gavin saved me,” Emma says, glancing up at me. Her hazel eyes are still puffy from crying. “He ran up and shoved the bad man, and I fell, but I was okay. Gavin pushed him against the wall and kept him from grabbing me again.”
Abby looks up at me, her eyes watery and her lips trembling. She stands up and hugs me tight.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice shaky. “Thank you for saving Emma.”
Emotion lodges in my throat. I hug Abby tight with one arm and Emma with the other. Relief crashes through me. I suddenly feel exhausted.
Around me, I hear people talking.
“Isn’t that the head coach of the Bashers?”
“He saved that little girl from some creep who snatched her at the concession stand.”
“He ditched the game to help that kid. He’s a hero.”
I feel the heat of everyone’s stare on me. That protectiveness flares up once more. I want to shield Abby and Emma from all of this.
I look at Abby. “Let’s go.”
I wrap my arms around them and lead them through the crowd toward one of the security officers.
“Ma’am, the police would like you to make a statement abouteverything that happened to your daughter,” he says before turning to me. “We’ll need one from you too, Coach Porter.”
“Of course,” I say. “We can go to my office. I don’t want them to have to do all that in front of a crowd,” I say to the security guard, then lead them to the other end of the arena.
By the time we’re finished talking to the police, the game has long been over and the arena is nearly empty. Emma is sleeping on the small couch along the wall of my office. Sophie came to my office as soon as she heard what happened and brought some ice cream to comfort Emma. She passed out right after eating it.
I cover her up with my suit jacket and ask to talk to the officer outside in the hallway.
“You stay with Emma,” I say to Abby. She sits next to Emma on the couch, gently stroking her hair.
I close my office door and turn to the officer. “What’s going to happen with Levi?”
“He’s been arrested and is being held at the city jail.
“Please tell me he’s going away for a long time for what he did.”
“I’m not a lawyer or a judge, but in my experience, people who commit this type of crime don’t just get a slap on the wrist. They’re sentenced pretty harshly. He’ll be charged with kidnapping and child endangerment, among other things.”
I let out a breath, relieved that he won’t be able to terrorize Abby and Emma again.
“That’s a relief to hear.”
The officer walks off. A second later, my officedoor opens, and Abby walks out. I swipe a chunk of her hair out of her face.
“How are you holding up?” I ask.
“I’m alright. I’m just glad that Emma’s getting some rest.”
“Me too.”
Abby’s hazel eyes fill with tears. She bites her wobbly bottom lip. “I don’t know what I would have done without you, Gavin. If you hadn’t been here…if Levi had gotten out of the arena with her…”
I pull her into a hug. “Hey. It’s okay.” I kiss her forehead. “It’s all okay.”
