38. Asher

38

ASHER

T here are so many things that I’m grateful for, but I can’t list them. However, being back on the ice is definitely one of those things.

The energy in the arena is on fire, and I swear I can hear the roar of the fans echoing on every surface of this building. This game has been insane, and while we are down by a goal, there’s a sense of peace and calm that surrounds me even in the chaos.

I know we’re going to score again. We’re going to win.

And the most important thing of all? I’m happy. I’m so fucking happy, even in this stressful situation, that I could break out and dance on the ice in front of everyone.

This isn’t the time for that, but it’s something I’m willing to do. But for now, I need to focus on helping our team win this game even though, in my mind, we’ve already won.

As I’m waiting for the whistle to blow and the puck to drop, something catches my eye. I do a double take because right behind the bench, I see my mom and Avery. They are here. My sister’s holding a homemade sign that says“Go Asher! You’re #1 in Our Hearts!”Mom is smiling, her hands clasped in front of her as if she’d just finished clapping.

What in the world? Didn’t Mom have to work? Avery probably has a basketball game this evening, right?

I turn my attention back to the job I need to do until this game is over, but I can’t deny that I’m perplexed. I still might have a little time before there’s any action on the ice, so I shoot them another quick glance and give them a small wave, acknowledging that I see them and know they are here. A grin crosses my face as my sister bounces up and down, waving back like her life depends on it. Apparently, even though she’s a teenager, she’s not too cool to do that. Mom sends me two thumbs-ups, which she used to do when she attended my games as a little kid.

I remember playing in a small-town hockey league, and during my first big game, I was nervous as hell. Just before I scored my first goal, Mom gave me a thumbs-up, a shot of reassurance that everything was going to be fine. I was going to do great. When the puck hit the net, I looked up into the stands and saw my mom and sister cheering for me as loud as they could.

The memory starts up another round of adrenaline that feels as if it’s injected straight into my veins. If I wasn’t determined moments ago, seeing them would have given me the extra push I needed to prepare for the battle about to ensue.

I take a deep breath and get back into position. Seconds later, the puck drops, and we’re back in action.

There is some back and forth, but the instant my stick connects with the puck, everything in my world revolves around this black piece of rubber. The roar of the crowd fades because I’m dialed in on the task at hand. I dodge and fake out one of our opponents. I know Coach likes the move I just pulled.

As I approach the net, something in my peripheral vision draws my attention. I know the defenders are closing in on me, but all I can do is think smart and stick to the plan. I’m going to carry out the mission I accepted as soon as I laced up my skates.

Help the Red Wolves win this game.

The goalie crouches as I get within shooting range, and I can see the look in his eyes. He’s ready to stop me from scoring at all costs. His eyes are locked on me, and I can see the calculations running through his mind. He’s trying to predict my next move, but I won’t let him. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.

With a flick of my wrist, I send the puck flying. I watch as it sails toward the top corner of the net. The goalie lunges, his glove stretching out in a desperate attempt to catch it or knock it away. For a heart-stopping moment, I doubt whether what I’ve done is enough for us to add another point to the scoreboard.

But then, the puck slips past his glove and rattles the netting with a satisfying thud. For a split second, it feels as if everyone goes silent just before the crowd erupts into the loudest roar I might have ever heard. I throw my arms up, my heart slamming in my chest because I tied the game.

“Good fucking job, Bennett!”I hear, but the blood rushing in my ears makes it hard to tell who said it.

As we celebrate, my eyes land on the blonde beauty with her camera pulled up to her face, blocking some of the features I stare at when we are together. When she finishes getting her shots, she lowers the camera and gives me a small wave. I blow her a quick kiss, and then something clicks.

Did Isla make sure that Mom and Avery could be in attendance today? She and her family are the only ones I spoke to recently about them and how they haven’t been to one of my games in a while, so that would make sense. Speaking of which, my gaze lands on them, and I find them on their feet once more, jumping up and down. I feel invincible, like I can take on the world, and no one can stop me.

But this is far from over. We still need to win.

As I line up for the face-off, I take several deep breaths, slowing my racing thoughts to regain my earlier calm. I remind myself of everything we’ve gone over in practice, and I’m confident that Levi and Knox know exactly what to do. We’ve got this, and we’re going to finish what we started. I have to concentrate because the clock is running out and only a couple of minutes remain.

The puck drops, and it’s a scramble. Levi fights for control, pushing against the opposing center, sticks clashing. The puck slips loose, and Knox is scooping it up. He maneuvers around a defender, moving it up the ice, and I follow close, my legs burning, adrenaline pushing me forward. The seconds are ticking down, and we need this. Right now.

Knox passes to Levi, who, as the center, skates up along the right boards, dodging an opponent who tries to pin him. Levi’s agility makes him hard to catch, and he takes full advantage of it, weaving through the defense. He spots Blaise coming up on the other side and sends a hard pass across the ice.

I take the puck from Blaise and charge toward the net once more. When I see Knox is open, I pass the puck to him, hoping he can finish the play. He fakes a shot to throw the goalie off-balance. The goalie falls for it, lunging to the side. Knox wastes no time and sends the puck flying toward the opposite corner of the net.

The goalie stretches to recover, but it’s too late. The puck hits the back of the net, and the red light flashes. And then, chaos erupts. The crowd roars louder than before, and I yell too. I throw my arms up as the team and I rush toward Knox. I reach him first, slapping his helmet and screaming in his ear.

We did it. We actually did it.

But this feeling of winning is only part of it. As I look back toward the stands, I spot my family first before my eyes land on Isla. She keeps her camera focused on us, capturing this moment. Not even the camera can block the grin that’s on her face.

And I can’t wait to have her in my arms.