12. Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Luke

I quickly jump over the boards as our team makes another line change. We’re still early into this one, with several minutes left in the first period, and it’s pretty obvious that the two teams are still testing the waters, checking out each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Although we know the opposing team’s players and they know us after hours of studying game tapes intently, every game is different. Someone may have an off day or be out with an injury. You never know, so you have to be on top of your game every time.

It’s our first game in a three-game away week starting in Utah and ending in California, and we are hoping to kick it off with a good start and a win against the Taylorsville Tigers. We’re still riding high on a wave of newfound belief that we can actually turn this season around.

As I come on the ice, it’s like being dropped into a war zone. Right away, I shift into defensive mode as their right-wing, Adams, comes flying at me full force, heading toward our net. He’s a big guy, pretty intimidating, but I know I’m way faster than him—which gives me an advantage I’ll be sure to use. Cody has already blocked seven shots on goal early in the game, the Tigers coming out blazing from the start. We’re going to have to do a better job at keeping the puck away from our net if we’re to stand a chance of winning.

I make myself as broad as possible, as I skate backward with my stick out, making it impossible for Adams to get a clear shot. As he sends it over to his teammate, the Tigers’ Ukrainian center Kovalenko, I plant myself in front of the net along with Virtanen, ready to assist Cody and get the puck back over on our side. I’m able to block one shot before it gets to Cody, but not able to get a hold of the puck to send it to a teammate or to the other side of the ice.

Kovalenko decides to shoot the puck again, and it goes straight between Virtanen’s legs but is skillfully caught by Cody and the play is called dead. Panting, I skate up to Cody, smacking my stick against his padded right leg for yet another great save this game. For a split second, his vibrant gray eyes catch mine as he tips his chin in silent recognition. High on hockey and Cody’s save, I salute him while skating off.

Although I’m focused on the game, I can’t help but wonder what Cody thought of Griezmann Gate as I’ve already named it in my head. Was he offended? He didn’t look offended. I’m pretty sure that Cody is ace, but is he gay? The way he blushed as the name ‘Troye Sivan’ tumbled from his lips makes me think maybe he is. Either way, he’s fucking adorable.

We get a few minutes to catch our breath, and no additional line changes are made this round since we’ve just come on the ice prior to that play. The Tigers seem to be deflating a little, their initial pace slowing down just a tad. I get it. I know how it feels standing in front of a goalie who just keeps knocking them away as you send them flying toward the goal. Cody is a solid brick wall again tonight, and it makes the rest of us up our game too, knowing that we have him in the goal. Tough luck, losers. He’s ours.

We line up for the next puck drop. Bardét is lined up with the Tigers’ forward, Rogers, for the faceoff. Standing back near the net, I hold my breath, waiting to see who’ll win and which direction the puck will go. The ref drops the puck and when it’s batted toward me, I quickly snag it with my stick. I don’t make it far, though, before I’m checked hard into the boards behind the net and held there by one of their defensemen.

The puck is stuck between our feet and the boards, as Bardét and one of the Tigers both grab at it frantically with their sticks between our skates. Trying to push the huge D-man off me, a loud growl leaves my chest. I try to use all my muscle strength, but he has a good few pounds on me. Until they manage to get the puck free, or the ref calls the play dead, I’m stuck.

Bardét is finally able to get the puck free from our skates and manages to send it over to Riley. The damn Smilodon finally lets me go and we both go chasing after the puck. What I don’t have in size, I always make up for in speed. Quickly, Riley and I make it halfway back toward their net, but the Tigers catch up to us in a flash. They descend on Riley like a flock of starved vultures, so he’s forced to fire the puck over to me.

Unable to get within shooting range of their net to get a clear shot, I have no other option but to send it back over to Riley. Dodging a move from one of their D-men, Riley moves to the left first, then right, and is able to send a slapshot straight into their net.

After that, we never really let the Tigers back into the game. From that moment on, we work together as one efficient machine, taking over the ice, giving them no room to maneuver. We sabotage their game every chance we get until the final whistle blows. Although Cody lets one goal in, we still scored five goals. It’s our biggest win this season and Riley and Cody are named among the 3 Stars along with Kovalenko.

As we pile into the locker room, there’s a feeling of hope in the air that we can still turn this shit season around. My body is buzzing from head to toe, and I’m finally again reminded why hockey is it for me. Even when I eventually retire from the NHL, I know that hockey will still be an essential part of my life. Either as a coach somewhere or as an old, gray granddad watching my grandchildren stumble across the ice for the very first time. Hockey is in my blood, ingrained into my very soul. Shit, I get all teary-eyed just thinking about it.

The guys are all over Cody, ruffling his hair, tapping his shoulder pads and sucker punching him. Shyly, he thanks them all for their praise, his eyes shining, cheeks flushed. My fingers tingle to touch him too, but I’m afraid that if I first get started, I won’t be able to stop. And that I won’t just stick to patting his shoulder or ruffling his hair. No, that I’ll want to do more than that, perhaps hug him, feel him against me, squeeze him tight. Breathe him in like I did the other night when we watched Love, Simon , and we sat so close that he felt like a part of me. Yeah, I’m pretty sure that if I start touching Cody like that, I’ll just crave more. I’ve already grown addicted to his presence in the condo, the feel of his warm body brushing up against me randomly when we move around in the kitchen, the scent of him lingering in the air.

“Good game, boys!” Coach yells through the locker room. “Better get ready when you leave the stadium. The press is lined up outside.” He grins broadly, pride dwelling in his eyes, his gaze searching the room, until it lands on Cody. “And you, young man,” Coach points his paw at Cody, who shrinks a little, eyelids fluttering nervously. “You better get ready for the bloodhounds. All eyes are on you now, kid.”

Cody nods slowly, his Adam’s apple moving up and down as he swallows. He looks so small and frail, although he’s a few inches taller than me, and yet, there’s this edge of fierce determination in his eyes. Tipping his chin in Coach’s direction, a cheeky smile blooms at the right corner of his mouth while he brushes his sweaty bangs away from his forehead. And then the usually shy Cody surprises the shit out of us all.

“I’m ready, Coach. They can just bring it. Ain’t gonna throw me off my game. I know where I’m headed.”

Well, okay then.