Page 46 of That Thing You Brew
After all Xavier had done for me, I wanted more than anything to fulfill his wish that his family attend our wedding.
CHAPTER15
Xavier
The Breakaway Challenge was the event I always looked forward to watching the most. It wasn’t held every year, so the fact that they’d chosen it this year—and me to participate—was another dream fulfilled. Other all-stars would be competing for fastest skater or most accurate shooting. As a defenseman, I didn’t get as many opportunities to shoot; my main job was making sure the opposing skaters’ shots were blocked. When my dad finally acquiesced to my playing, he taught me how to be a two-way player and how to play offense without compromising defense. His guidance had definitely played a huge part in my success.
This event was about showmanship. In past years, all-stars had pulled all sorts of hijinks, crafting skits and fancy tricks to shoot the puck at celebrities or retired goalies. It worked out well that my team’s netminder had been fan-voted into the Central division’s all-star team, and it would make my exhibition even more spectacular.
After I rehearsed the routine in secret, the event coordinator decided I should go last. That was fine with me—leave the audience with something to remember.
I fidgeted on the bench as the other guys executed their shenanigans and tapped sticks with them as they returned.
Dante Leinecker, representing Tulsa, was the second-to-last to skate. He was one of those guys who treated you like garbage if he thought you could be a threat to him. And he was shady. He knew how to hide illegal hits from the officials.
I watched as he executed his routine, dressed as a football player—sans cleats—clutching a ball under his left arm, holding his stick in his right hand. The Tulsa dance team members were cheering him on, scattered on the ice that was lit up green to resemble a football field. He weaved around them like they were rushing opposition, took possession of the puck and skated it towards the goalie who was defending the right end of the net. At the last second, he slid left. The goalie made a move to cover the other side of the net, and the puck glided in between his pads.
Five-hole goals were always crowd pleasers, and this was no exception. The crowd roared as he dropped his stick and slammed the football into the ice, celebrating like he’d scored a touchdown. I did my best to keep my eyes from rolling into the back of my head. The judges held up their scorecards—three nines and a ten. He gloated all the way back to the bench.
“Beat that, Schwann.” He dropped into his spot beside me and didn’t bother to hold up his glove for a fist bump. He knew better. “And nice skates. You borrow them from your sister?”
I pinned a hard glare on him through my visor. “Don’t mention my sister again—any of them—unless you want to drop gloves.” I stood up and fired one more retort. “Let me know how it feels to come in second.” I was confident I had a better act. Why else would they have saved me for last?
Now to execute it.
Stick in hand, I skated to the host at center ice as the announcer introduced me to the crowd. The ice crew appeared to sweep the surface and began sweeping the ice with their specialized shovels. I couldn’t help smiling at the last three—especially the mini-size final two.
“Xavier Schwann! You’ve had an incredible year.” Karter Padieux, a retired goalie and well-known podcaster and influencer, was the master of ceremonies this year. He was a player I’d looked up to as a kid. He’d been on the Seattle team with my dad when they’d won the Cup and was still a hometown hero.
“It’s been memorable, for sure, KP,” I replied into his mic. It was hard to see the fans in the stands with all the lights shining in my face. I squinted up toward the box my dad and some of his buddies had sponsored, looking for Penny.
Karter addressed the crowd. “You all may not know this, but I once babysat for Xavier and his sister Daniella. Little Swanny here was a figure skater back then. Hence, what he’s got on his feet now. You want to tell us about your skates?”
I grinned. “Thought I’d change it up a bit. Give my ankles a bit of a workout,” I joked.
“Can’t wait. Speaking of, hold that thought. They’re talking to me in my earpiece.”
I regarded him curiously. We hadn’t rehearsed this. Was something wrong?
“What’s that, B-Dex? You do? Sweet! Of course.” He flashed a grin at me, then addressed the cameras. “If we could all turn our attention to the right-side tunnel. My associate, Bailey Dexter-Brewer, has brought a good luck charm for Swanny.”
Good luck charm?Karter’s choice of words threw me off guard.
The spotlights swept over the ice to the gate opening at the entrance of the tunnel where Bailey was standing. “Thanks, KP. We all know I’m a big fan of Swanny and the Denver Edge.” The crowd laughed. “And not just because my big brother is an all-star goalie. Or the fact that I work for the team. No sir, no bias here.” She gave a slow exaggerated wink and the crowd went wild.
I laughed. I’d known Bailey for years. She was an Olympic gold-winning goalie, and the crowds and cameras loved her. If this bit she’d planned would help me beat Leinecker, I was all for it.
“Swanny, I’ve got something special for you,” she taunted in a singsong voice. “Why don’t you skate on over and see what it is?”
I looked at Karter. He shrugged and gestured for me to go.
Bailey stepped onto a small red carpet that had been set down at the edge of the ice and continued to address the crowd. “We all know Swanny’s secret to scoring is a toffee coffee from his favorite barista, so … I brought her with me. Please welcome, all the way from Palmer City, Colorado’s Coffee Loft, the one and only Penny Palmer.”
The crowd roared as Penny stepped out from behind Bailey, wearing my Edge jersey and holding a to-go coffee cup.
Elated, I dropped my stick and gloves and flew toward her. I wanted to pick her up and spin her around, but this probably wasn’t the best time if we were trying to still be secretive about our relationship. Forgetting about my toe-pick, I stumbled the last few feet as I came to a halt at the edge of the carpet.
I couldn’t get my helmet off fast enough, nor take my eyes off Penny as she handed me the drink. She wore her emerald on her right hand.Smart. “Thanks, Pen.” On impulse, I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “You’re amazing,” I whispered as I pulled away.
