Page 28 of Pucking Tangled
“Owen Hawk sets the tone with the block, Novak drives the lane, and Luca seals the deal with a pass from Waylon Ryan! That’s textbook Barn Raisers’hockey—grit, hustle, and heart!” Mark summarized as cowbells rang, hats flew, and the team mobbed Luca near the blue line while Charleston skated off instunned silence.
Mia collapsed backwards onto the sofa. “Jesus Christ. That was stressful.”
She pulled her phone out of her pocket and shot off a text to the group chat.
Mia: Way to keep me on my toes. Congrats on the win.
She exited the group chat and pulled up Luca’s name.
Mia: Hell of play, Luca. Not going to lie, that was the sexiest thing I’ve seen in a long time. Looking forward to Book Club. Tomorrow? Maybe after dinner?
Luca
“Fuck, that was incredible, Luca!”
“Killer instincts, Rookie!”
“A hell of a shot, Blackford!”
Their praise for Luca continued for several minutes until they headed back to the locker room.
“That was a tight game,” Coach Matthews said as he joined them. “I’m proud as hell that we made a comeback. You all know that if you want the championship this year, you’re going to have to do better. We’re two to one coming into an advantage at home. I need you guys to get it together out there. There are too many mistakes happening on the ice.”
They all knew it.
Luca may have been on fire, but the whole team was offbalance. Tonight’s game was more of the same until the very end. He was actually shocked when Waylon passed the puck off to him.
Charleston was a damn good team to go up against and they played on the Barn Raisers weakness at every chance they got. That couldn’t keep happening.
“Figure your shit out between now and Game 4. Mandatory team building Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. If you miss it, you don’t play. Got it?” Coach Micheals added.
The whole team agreed.
“Good.”
Coach walked out. Several of the guys started grumbling.
“Casey.” Nate approached him cautiously.
Luca froze and watched, ready to jump in at a moment’s notice.
“The other day, the dumb shit I said…I’m sorry. It was out of line, and you’re right. None of my damn business.” Nate looked around at the rest of them. “I owe all of you an apology. I’m a jackass, and I’m sorry.”
Casey held out his hand and Nate shook it. “Don’t let it happen again. I meant what I said, Nate.”
“It won’t. We’re all a team, a family. And I respect the hell out of you all. I crossed a line and I don’t have a single reason for it.”
“Apology accepted. Next timeanyonein this locker room decides to pull some stupid shit like that, know that we will not hesitate to kick your asses. No one on this team should have to defend their preferences, especially not to their teammates. That’s not who we are. Got it?” Waylon spoke up.
The air in the room shifted. A calm settled around everyone as they agreed.
“Now, show up tomorrow and let’s let Coach know we’re in it to win it, got it?” Owen added.
Luca felt pride swell in his chest for his teammates.
This was the kind of team that players wanted to be a part of.
Nate walked away, leaving the four of them to their after game routines.
