Page 119 of What Are The Odds?
“Damn,” Stella mumbled.
I fought a smile. She was a lot more invested in this game than she had been at Ryker’s. The other team moved the puck between them, narrowing in on their goal. Or ours. I wasn’t sure how it was referred to. Whatever the right way, it was in the danger zone. I held my breath. Morrison charged at their player with possession, slamming him into the wall. The puck came loose. Will scooped it up, making an immediately long pass to Levi who was alone, away from the other players. Half-way down the ice. My heart stopped beating as the crowd erupted, feet stamping and voices shouting. The puck landed perfectly against Levi’s stick. He turned, setting in the direction of our goal. The other team were skating toward him at full pelt, but they weren’t going to catch him. He was too fast. He danced the puck from side to side, body positioned in pure determination. The goalie crouched down, gaze moving in sync with Levi’s movements.
“Oh my god,” Ava gasped.
I couldn’t sit still. Levi skated to the edge of the goal. Just when it looked like he was about to glide past the pole, he moved his stick between his legs, knocking the puck into the net. The crowd went wild as the buzzer sounded, signalling the goal. I, along with practically every other supporter, sprung out of my seat, jumping up and down and clapping wildly. The team enveloped Levi, everyone leaving the bench and swarming the ice. Loud music began to play as the arena lights danced in tune with the song. My heartbeat pounded in time with it, too. The atmosphere in here was electric. Everyone was buzzed and excited. After a long celebration, Levi managed to break through the team, a smile on his own face as he skated away. He headed towards me, strides long and purposeful. I felt butterflies in my stomach and a giddiness rise up from my toes. The crowd were still cheering behind me, going wild after the crazy win. I barely noticed them. And I don’t think Levi did either. He pressed his gloved hand to the glass, right in front of where I was standing. It was too loud to make out what he was saying. Not that I needed to. The fact he was here said enough. Out of all the people here, he wanted to share this moment with me. And out of the many fans wearing his jersey, I was the only person wearing a real one. One he’d played in. One he’d won in. But that was also a heavy realisation. Levi’s life was hockey. This was where he belonged. I couldn’t, and wouldn’t, get in the way of that.
60. I love you
Levi.
Winning tonight.Big check.Nailing an overtime goal.Big check.Being able to see Grace in the front row with my jersey on.Big fucking check.Cloud-nine wasn’t high enough. I was walking on water. I skated off the ice with a grin fixated on my face. The morale in the changerooms was high. Music was pumping. Some guys were even dancing. That win deserved to be celebrated.
“Lastlings?” Ryan suggested.
“Lastlings,” I agreed.
Morrison reached for his phone. “I’ll give them a head’s up.”
Coach came in for the post-game debrief. No matter the result, there was always feedback. Some constructive. Some brutal. Tonight, he kept it short. Even he was buzzed. I’d take it. I sat in front of my locker to take off my skates. Will had the locker beside me. It’d always been that way. Sitting beside someone new next year was going to be strange.
“I think we need Hughesy there every game,” he said.
I wouldn’t say no to that. Last night she’d gone over the rules while we ate dinner, quizzing me and the guys. She wasn’t a veteran yet, but she was learning. While she had a long way to go, I adored that she was trying. I stripped as much as I could then grabbed my things for a shower. Knowing she was waiting for me made me want to hurry up. After rinsing off, I redressed in my suit, pulled on my hockey jacket, then messed up my wet hair before sliding my Phil-U beanie on. This time when I walked out with Will, I didn't have to worry about finding Grace with Ryker. Tonight, she was here for me. And with me. Even in the busy concourse, I found her immediately. She was leaning against the wall, one ankle crossed over the other as she scrolled through her phone. The opposing team were filing out their changeroom, their shoulders heavy as they tracked straight to their bus. I didn’t miss the doubletake from some of the players when they caught sight of Grace. The opposing captain slowed and blatantly checked her out. Completely oblivious, Grace adjusted her stance. Now her back was visible, his head sagged. That’s right. My girl in my fucking jersey. Keep moving, asshole. As if sensing my presence, Grace looked up. A smile overtook her entire face.
Will picked up on the hint without me needing to say anything. “I’ll meet you outside.”
Smart move. When I reached Grace, I hugged her so tightly her feet came off the ground. The kiss I followed up with probably bordered on slightly inappropriate for a public setting, but I was riding this high.
“You were amazing,” she told me when I set her back on her feet. “And fast. And rough.” She coyly bit her lip. “I liked it.”
“Keep wearing my jersey, Hughesy, and I can show you fast and rough later.”
She blinked her thick eyelashes. “Deal. Well, maybe not too fast.”
Fuck. Now I didn’t even want to go to Lastlings. Two hands clamped over my shoulders. I expected it to be a teammate or someone congratulating me on my game. I was half right. It was Tripp, but he wasn’t here for me. He moved me aside, making his way to Grace.
“See my goal, Hughesy?”
“I did.”
The one I’d completely set up for him. Jackass.
“Best goal of the night, right?”
Grace bit her lip, eyes casting to me. “Well.”
Ava and Stella stepped out of the bathroom and began making their way over. They were wearing our colours too, though they were much dressier than Grace. My jersey practically wore her. She’d tucked it into her jeans, but it was still baggy enough to hide the amazing body beneath. I liked knowing I was the only one who’d get to see it tonight.
*
Lastlings was busy, but Morrison had come through. There were three tables saved for us. We filled them up quickly. I sat on a barstool then pulled Grace onto my lap. I planned on keeping her close tonight. I thought back to the first time I’d seen her in this bar, when we’d been strangers to each other. If only I’d known then how much things would change. Remembering I’d left with Veronica, when Grace was just one table over, made me feel nauseous. Never again. Grace turned over her shoulder, leaning back to kiss me. I slipped my hands around her stomach before trailing them along her thighs. Foreplay had well and truly started. I was definitely ticking the hockey jumper fantasy off my list later. Ryan bought the first round, setting the drinks on the table. Before I knew it, it was Will’s round. Then Tripp’s. Then mine. Then I blinked and we were back to me, and I was definitely ticking along. Grace was too. Everyone was. We were celebrating hard. And better yet, there wasn’t anyone from the football team in sight. This night was close to perfect.
“Where do you stand now on the AFL versus hockey debate?” Ryan asked Grace.
Grace shifted in my lap. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to.”
Tripp was evidently offended. “Were you not in the same arena as us tonight, Hughesy? It was fucking electric.”
