Page 13 of Checking All Her Notes
An opposing player tries to push past him. Jude doesn’t budge. Just plants himself like a wall and the guy bounces off, stumbling.
“Oh my stars,” I breathe.
Ivy leans over. “Right? He’s like a freight train.”
“A very attractive freight train,” Hadley adds.
I don’t argue.
The game moves fast. Brutal and beautiful. Finn scores first, a slap shot that catches the goalie off guard. The arena erupts. I’m on my feet before I realize it, cheering along with everyone else.
When an opposing player shoves Zane after a whistle, everything changes.
Jude doesn’t hesitate. He’s there in a heartbeat, stepping between them. One hand on the guy’s chest. One warning glare that could freeze fire.
The other player backs down immediately. Smart choice.
The bleachers erupt. Ivy and Hadley are screaming. I’m pretty sure I am too.
“Okay,” I whisper to myself as Jude skates away like nothing happened. “That’s kind of hot.”
“Kind of?” Ivy raises an eyebrow. “Sophie, that was extremely hot.”
“Criminally hot,” Hadley agrees.
I sink back into my seat, face burning. “Can we focus on the game, please?”
“We are focusing on the game,” Ivy says innocently. “Specifically on number forty-four and how he just defended his teammate like a?—”
“Don’t say it.”
“Like a bruiser.”
I groan but I’m smiling. Because she’s not wrong.
A few shifts later, Jude steals the puck from an opponent with a move so smooth it looks effortless. He fires a clean pass across the blue line. Finn’s waiting. The puck connects with his stick and he redirects it perfectly.
Goal.
The place explodes. I’m on my feet again, jumping and cheering. Jude barely celebrates. Just taps Finn’s helmet with his glove and skates back to position, stoic as ever.
Somehow, that restraint makes it worse. Makes my stomach flip and my heart race.
Because I want to know what it takes to make him lose control.
The Bobcats win by two. The final horn sounds and the crowd goes wild. Players pile onto the ice, celebrating, while the other team skates off with their heads down.
Fans start filing out but Ivy grabs my arm. “We always wait by the tunnel. Team tradition.”
“Do we have to?” I ask, even though I’m already following them down the bleachers.
“Yes,” Hadley says firmly. “Besides, you want to congratulate Jude on his excellent defense, don’t you?”
I shrug and follow her and the other girls. I felt like I had to go with the flow.
We position ourselves near the tunnel where the players will emerge from the locker room. Other girlfriends and family members are already gathering. I recognize a few faces from around town.
The guys come out one by one. Finn first, still riding the high of his two goals. He immediately pulls Ivy into a hug, lifting her off her feet.
