Page 96 of Scoring Zone
“This matters,” Gray agrees. “For all the scared kids who think no one will understand or love them, this is life-changing.”
With that, King steels himself and steps forward, out of our arms, to wave at the crowd.
“You did good,” I praise Grayson for helping King find his strength. Spontaneously, I kiss the side of his head, and there’s an audible gasp from the crowd.
“Cat’s out of the bag.” Brant whoops and throws his arms around both of us. “I should kiss you both.” He laughs and ruffles our hair before going to stand next to King on the rainbow carpet. His energy reminds me a little of Benz, but he’s got a redheaded temper for sure. Playing on the same team as him would be a privilege.
I’m floating on air, ready to fight for every goal to bring The Cup to this city.
Of course, I’m getting ahead of myself and tempting the hockey gods.
We start off on a high, and Drake scores in the first three minutes. But then Kenney gets his stick on the puck by our goal and gets tangled up with their winger. He goes down and doesn’t get back up.
Gray vaults over the boards to tend to him.
“I heard a pop,” Kenney groans. Gray and I carry him off the ice, and they disappear into the treatment room.
Benz is hyping up the bench, and I join in. “We’ve got this, team. Make Kenney proud.”
The Nationals are a young team that didn’t make the playoffs this year, and they’re resorting to violence. I can hear Brant’s voice telling his teammates to chill out.
In between periods, the team doctor informs us that Kenney has an ACL tear and Grayson has taken him to the hospital.
I give a speech about rising above adversity, and Lucky loosens us up with a two-minute dance party for extra good luck.
During the third period, I take a hit from the back that pitches me forward on the ice, and my helmet hits first. It makes me woozy, but I stumble over to the bench unassisted, grateful I wasn’t hurt worse.
Next thing I know, I’m opening my eyes to King and Brant kneeling over me, yelling my name.
King and I are never on the ice at the same time because we play the same position.
And I don’t remember taking the ice for my next shift.
The arena is too quiet.
“Sunshine,” I call for Grayson. “I need Sunshine.” He’ll know what to do.
The doctor and assistant trainer help me off the ice and won’t let me sit on the bench. I’m taken straight to the treatment room.
Everything is hazy, and I don’t understand why Gray isn’t with me. He’s always there when I need him.
The doctor says “concussion” as if it’s not the first time. That’s when I notice the team gathering in the doorway.
“Did we win?” I ask.
“We did.” Drake takes a step into the room. “We can take him home,” he says to the doctor.
“Sunshine will take me,” I insist, looking around for him. “Hey, Lori, when did you get here?”
“I was in the neighborhood and showed up for Pride Night.” She’s wearing a Pride T-shirt we sell for fans.
“Cool. Where’s G?” I have a killer headache, and my eyes won’t focus.
“He’s with Kenney. He’ll meet us there,” Lucky says softly.
“You’re all being weird,” I mutter.
I wake up with a start, and hands push me back on my couch, but they’re the hands I want.
