15. Cade

15

CADE

It's been twenty-two days. Twenty-two long, torturous days without my Maya. She hasn't called. She hasn't even bothered to send a text message.

Something's wrong, and I can feel it in my bones. But I don't have a damn clue what it is. I wish she would let me in.

She has eight days left.

After that, my patience will run out, and I'm going to bring her back. I don't know how, but I sure as hell am bringing my woman back home.

I grab my bag of gear from the back seat before heading into the locker room. Tonight's my last game. I thought I might be consumed by immense sadness. Hockey has been my world, my everything for years. Yet, I'm not sad. I'm happy. Content. I'm ready to start the next chapter with Maya at my side.

She's my reason. She's my everything.

As I make my way to the locker room, a reporter stuffs a microphone in front of me.

"Blizzard! This is your last game. How are you feeling about that?"

At the sound of my nickname, my heart falters a beat. Blizzard… a blizzard is what brought Maya and me together. I smile at just how ironic that is.

"I'm feeling pretty good." I grin into the camera. "Hockey has been good to me. The Colorado Frostwolves have been my family for years. The fans…" I point at the camera. "They're amazing. They're the lifeblood of our team. They are why we skate. I will miss all of it."

"Well, I know you will be missed. Is there anyone you'd like to dedicate your last game to?" The reporter flashes his capped teeth at the cameraman.

"Yes." I take a step closer to the camera and peer into the lens. "Duchess, if you're watching, this game is for you. I'll see you soon." I hike my bag over my shoulder, hoping Maya gets the message. I want her to know I'm keeping my word. She needs to know that I am coming for her.

"Duchess?" The reporter is giddy. "Tell me more."

"Sorry, no can do." I wave at the camera. "I have a game to win."

I skate onto the ice and stop. I do a slow spin, taking it all in. The stands are packed. Everyone is wearing a forest green shirt with my number on it.

The crowd gets to its feet, and the stadium booms with thunderous applause. I should skate to the net, but I can't move. I'm too overwhelmed with emotion. They've done this for me.

Just as I'm about to hoist my stick in the air to thank the fans for this unbelievable show of support, my teammates skate past and form a line in front of me. They skate forward to tap my goalie pads one by one, then rejoin the line. My throat is so tight I can barely breathe.

I expected some applause, but this? This display of respect is an honor I will never forget.

The team captain throws his hand in the air. The crowd goes eerily quiet.

Tap… tap… tap…

Tears fill my eyes as each of my Frostwolf brothers bends down on one knee while tapping their sticks off the ice.

Tap… Tap… TAP!

The sticks tapping against the ice melds with feet stomping from the stands. I rest my hand over my heart, bow my head, then thrust my stick high into the air. "Let's win this thing." I croak.

When I finally get my feet to move, I skate to the net, crouch down, and sharpen my focus. To repay my team and the fans, I'll play a game they will never forget.

I'm going to give them my very last shutout.