I drop low and carry it behind the net. The boards are tight to my back. My skates dig into the ice as I round the crease. Everything slows.
Their goalie sets glove-side, crouched and tight to the post. Classic positioning. He’s waiting for the stuff in.
Wanting to sell it, I put my head down and drop my shoulder like I’m committing.
He shifts. I pull right, wrapping around just as he over commits. With a backhand flick, I send the puck smoothly in past his leg. It kisses the twine.
Goal.
My third tonight.
There’s a half-second of silence. Then the whole arena erupts. Hats fly from every section, raining down on the ice.
The crowd drowns out the end-of-game buzzer.
We fucking won.
The place goes feral.
Sticks hit the ice and helmets fly. My teammates crash into each other, shouting, laughing, and crying. Tyrell tackles Teo near the blue line. Greer and North wrap around Jace, shaking him like they can’t believe it.
I don’t join them at center.
I pivot straight for the glass. Frankie jumps with Doug, and I can hear her screaming from here. She catches my gaze and jumps again, pressing her hand to the glass. “You did it,” her lips say. I jerk my head, motioning her around.
She runs to the gate, and I open it.
She doesn’t care about the ice. She jumps into my arms, legs wrapping around my waist. My hands go to her ass, holding her up as we kiss before I skate with her to center. She deserves to celebrate with us.
I lower her slowly. The ice is torn up but still slippery.
Logan is by her side in an instant, reaching for her. We hold her together. Jace slides in and bumps his forehead to hers, breathless. Wes comes up behind her, kisses her head, half-laughing like he can’t believe she’s really here.
Jace pulls her from me, his padding off so he can hold her. He tilts her back low and kisses her like he’s waited all season to dothat. The second she’s upright again, Logan swoops in and steals another kiss before anyone can stop him. Wes turns her, brushes her curls back, and kisses her temple.
I snatch her from him and grin down at her. “We did it, Love.” I kiss her again, hands locked around her waist. She meets me with a smile in her kiss.
Logan taps my shoulder, and I lift my head. He points toward the jumbotron above center ice.
It shows the four of us, front and center on full screen. The crowd sees it and the place gets louder. No boos, thank God. They cheer, chanting: “Markov, Lopez, Hales, Carter!”
I guess there’s no more hiding for Frankie or us. Now the whole damn world knows we’ve found her. I keep her close, my breath in her hair.
I couldn’t be happier. This is the perfect ending to the season and my career.
Chapter 24
Two months later…
The living room is dim, warm with low light from a corner lamp. Blankets are draped over the couch and tucked along the back cushions to make it cozy.
A white sheet hangs in front of the TV, clipped to the curtain rod. The projector hums quietly on the shelf over the couch. It’s connected to my tablet, which has the final cut of the documentary.
I crouch to adjust the tray of snacks on the coffee table: popcorn, grapes, chips, and the sour cream dip I made from scratch.
I’m anxious, but not because I’m worried about the film. That part’s done. Approved by the League and my boss. They called it powerful. I’m nervous because I’m still waiting to hear if my next pitch is going to move forward.
I want the guys to see it first, before the world gets its hands on it. When the story is still ours, because even though I’m not in it, it’s the reason we’re together now. The reason I’ve stopped hiding who I am.
