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COOPER
My legs burn as I chase after Toronto’s winger who’s managed to steal a breakaway.
I glance ahead of him, noting that Handsy is locked on. If Rovvy or I don’t get to him, I have every confidence that Handsy is ready to block this shot.
We’re two up, and Toronto is hitting us hard—often literally—with their need to come back.
We’ve only got five minutes left of the third period; we’ve almost got it in the bag. But five minutes in hockey is enough for everything to change.
All it takes is for one of us to take our eye off the puck, and it can all come crashing down. Just like how the asshole in a blue jersey managed to steal the puck away after Linc’s shot came off the post.
A beat before I get the chance to steal the puck, Rovvy appears and forces the winger to duck around the back of the goal, giving me the opportunity I need to take possession.
The crowd around me roars with excitement as I clear the puck and send it flying down the ice toward Fletch.
He picks it up, and after deking out Toronto’s center, he passes off to Kodie. The entire arena watches with bated breath as he pulls his stick back and takes the shot.
It’s fucking flawless, and it sails into the net between the tendy’s legs.
The arena erupts as we all skate toward Kodie to celebrate his goal.
Coach calls for a line change, and we all make our way to the boards. No sooner have we climbed over than I clamp my hand on Kodie’s shoulder.
“That was one hell of a goal,” I tell him.
“Thanks,” he says, our eyes locking for a beat before he tips his head back and squirts his drink into his mouth.
“Great shift, man,” Rovvy says as I take a seat and try to catch my breath.
“Back at ya. We’ve got this game tied up,” I say confidently.
“Perfect night for it, too. My parents came out to see.”
A pang of disappointment hits me that I’ll never get to experience that again.
“Oh, yeah? That’s great, man. I bet they’re proud of you.”
A smile pulls at his lips.
“What about you? Anyone out there watching you?”
My heart lurches as my eyes lift, scanning the crowd.
It only takes a couple of seconds to find him.
He’s on his feet right beside Sienna, Bea, Freya, Casey, and Sutton, who I swear haven’t stopped screaming and hammering on the boards all night.
As if he knows I’m looking at him, his eyes collide with mine.
That simple contact jolts my entire body.
How is it possible with this distance between us?
“Nah, I don’t have family in the stands all that often.”
“That’s a shame. Everyone deserves to have their people cheering them on.”
