Page 76 of Her Goal
He waves me toward the ice. “Get back in there.”
Beau slaps my hand as we trade places. I spot Leah watching intently as the puck drops. I tell myself that being with her is never going to happen. Just like me saving this game because the Kings are dominating with renewed vigor by keeping our puck out of their goal. The score is still tied—four to four. But we have less than five minutes left and if I leave an opening for them, it’s over.
I put thoughts of Leah in the Nothing Box inside my brain because she’d never marry me let alone consider liking me. The Nothing Box is the blank, empty place in my head that I turn to when I need to focus. Right now, I have to do my best to save this game.
Play is fierce, but with a minute remaining, Redd scores, and the arena goes wild. As the clock counts down, I’m ready and the puck slices toward me. I keep an eye on along with everything in my periphery. It’s no secret that the opposing team will exploit my blind spots.
I see the determination in the King’s left wing as he passes off the puck to the center who calculates how best to slot it intothe net. He has two choices and I anticipate both. I don’t let my mind wander to what’ll happen if I let him score.
I can get to that later if need be. For now, my stick and my entire body are the only things standing between a win or a loss.
Stanton releases the puck. I drop a knee, angle my stick just so, and like a blade dropping onto a cutting board, I keep it out of the paint.
Whoa. That. Just. Happened.
We take the win and the stands explode with cheering. Our team song comes on. Some of the guys show off with slick moves, but that was a close call and I cannot fathom why Badaszek put me in after my performance during the second period, but as I pass Leah during our victory lap, our eyes meet, and my thoughts recede. Not to the Nothing Box, but to the Leah Box, where I put the look of pride on her face and the challenging upturn of her lips, suggesting that I did okay.
Back in the locker room, Hayden says, “Look at hockey’s boy next door, our very own Robo, all iced up! Nice save!”
The guys nearest me clap me on the back.
Grady asks, “Those figure skating lessons paying off?”
“The new guy’s gal is on fire for him.” Redd jabs me in the ribs with his stick.
Pierre says, “Never seen Leah so enthusiastic except at Christmas when Cara makes cookies.”
But she said she has a salty tooth. Also, shouldn’t we be talking about the game?
“Leah and Robo. I have to admit, I didn’t see that coming, but it works,” Jack says.
“Our man has hockey’s biggest fan!” Mikey hoots.
“Not likely. She’s definitely not one of my biggest fans. More accurately, I’d call her an anti-fan.”
Jack tucks his chin and frowns. “Aren’t you getting married?”
“You guys are confused. Her grandmother had a vision or a dream or something that I was somehow the guy for Leah. Said I was the ‘Chosen one.’ Then at Leah’s parents’ anniversary party, her parents made the announcement.” I hold up my hands. “We had nothing to do with it.”
“So like an arranged marriage?” Pierre asks.
Liam and Beau both look away like they have something to hide.
“Do people still do that?” Mikey asks.
“Probably in some cultures,” Hayden says.
Mikey adds, “Best case scenario, you meet the person who complements and completes you, it’s love at first sight, and you live happily ever after.”
“Sounds like someone has been hanging around Gracie’s bookstore,” Pierre teases.
Mikey adds, “Reality can be a bit more complicated. Messy. Engagements that last for years. That fall apart.”
Liam adds, “People are left at the altar or get cold feet.”
“Hate each other at first and then something changes.” Hayden snaps his fingers.
Redd adds, “Maybe an arranged marriage is what’s going to work for you.”
