Page 38 of Frozen Hearts
She fucking came!
I still can’t believe it. I was certain she wasn’t going to come. Had convinced myself this chemistry between us was one-sided and that she didn’t feel the same way.
Except, she’s here.
By the time I’m allowed back on the ice, I’ve made a promise to play the best fucking game of my life, and I take off with renewed energy, ignoring Coach’s calls to behave.
I’m untouchable as I join the game, racing toward the attack zone where Barnes and Rickman, the other two forwards, are currently battling with the Eagles’ defensemen to score a goal. The ice is smooth as clouds beneath my skates, the other players a blur.
Seeing me coming, Barnes manages to get a clear shot, whacking the puck my way. I fly toward it, focusing solely on the puck and the goalie. He’s a beast in all of his gear, easily managing to block all but the first goal we’ve tried to score all game, but I’ve watched tapes of the Eagles’ recent games and I know he’s slow.
I feign right before I whack the puck into the top left corner of the net.
The crowd explodes.
Grinning like a fool, I hold my stick in the air as I do a celebratory loop of the rink. My eyes go immediately to her, and that light, happy feeling in my chest expands, a wide grin tugging at my lips as I skate toward her.
Throwing up ice, I come to a stop in front of Riley’s seat and take a second to appreciate the fact she’s fucking here. That she saw that. That she’s clapping her hands and screamingmyname. It’s the best fucking sight I’ve seen all night.
I smack my gloved hand against the glass, her eyes narrowing in confusion as she glances at it before returning her gaze to mine. I repeat the action, and the older gentleman sitting in the next seat takes pity on her. He must explain what I’m after as she nods knowingly before leaning forward and pressing her hand to mine, still smiling that dazzling smile that makes me feel like I’m the only person in this entire stadium who she sees.
I grin at her from behind the cage of my helmet, the bright blue of my mouthguard visible, but it makes her laugh as she shakes her head before waving me away. It’s right then that I know this is going to be my best game ever.
* * *
“A fucking hat trick, man!” one of the guys screams in my ear as the rest of the team crowds around me. Lapping up the high from our phenomenal win tonight.
“You were on fucking fire!” Gavin yells as he cuffs me around the neck.
I can’t stop grinning, but untangling myself, I scan the slowly emptying stands for my girl. Because, after that game, that’s exactly what she is—my girl. My good luck charm. I have never played the way I did tonight. It was on a whole other level. And the only difference… her.
The fact she was here.
For me.
Her seat is vacant, and not seeing her amongst the crowd, I skate toward the edge of the rink, eager to get changed and find her.
“Fantastic job tonight, Logan,” Coach praises as I step off the ice. “Good to see you managed to pull it together when it counted.” He lifts his chin toward the stand, and for the first time since I saw Riley, I remember that Pacific Penguin scouts were in the crowd. I can’t believe I forgot all about them.
When Riley is around, my brain short circuits. I forget about everything and everyone except her.
“They were here?”
“They were,” Coach confirms. “After tonight’s performance, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.” Coach pierces me with a scowl. “However, you could have done without the penalties.”
Too happy to give a shit, I clap him on the shoulder. A couple of penalties won’t be held against me. For the most part, I’ve been a solid player. My record is clean and I’ve never been banned from a game for fighting.
Floating on fucking clouds, I hurry through a shower before throwing on my clothes and texting Riley as I’m leaving the locker room.
Where are you?
Riley
I had to get to work, sorry!
Disappointment has my shoulders dropping, my steps slowing as some of my excitement fades. My fingers hover over the screen as I debate asking her where she works. If her shift is only starting, it’s probably one of the campus bars. I could stop by and see her. Except, she might not like that. Most girls would love it if I stopped by their job, but Riley isn’t like everyone else. She’d probably be embarrassed and flustered, and that’s the last thing I want to do to her.
Before I can think of a response, another message comes through from her.
