Chapter 38

Stephanie

We head into the third period, and I can’t keep my eyes off Sebastian. I know he’ll be okay, but after seeing how much the concussion messed him up before, I feel like somehow watching him will protect him. I know it makes no sense, but that’s how my mind works. After number twenty-seven goes after Aiden really hard, Gunner and Sebastian both get him the next time he has the puck. The Legends get the puck and then half their team is around the net. Somehow, Rico keeps it out and clears it. And then the puck’s at our end. It bounces off the wall, and Gunner gets it and sends it to Sebastian. Sebastian sends it back to Aiden who shoots. But it’s blocked and sent back the other way. It’s a pile up at the other end again, but somehow Sebastian gets it. He skates hard and fast towards the other end; Aiden’s right on his tail. I squeeze Tina and Kelly’s hands. He sends it to Aiden behind him, and Aiden sends it sailing to Gunner. Gunner sends it to Sebastian. Sebastian comes around from behind the net and hits it in. Score!

I’m on my feet with the rest of the thousands of Green Thunder fans screaming. On his way to join his teammates to celebrate, he does that thing—that thing where he points to his ring finger, his tribute to me. Nobody has a clue what he’s doing because he’s wearing gloves, but I know. And when he looks up in our direction, my heart tugs. I know he can’t possibly see me because there’s just too many fans. He just knows the general area where we’re all sitting. It’s almost more than my heart can take. I don’t deserve this amazing man. Tina tugs on my hand. “That was for you!” she shouts in my ear. All I can do is nod.

The game gets going again, and I can’t sit. Apparently, neither can the rest of the Green Thunder fans. The game is so intense; there’s not a moment to look away. And then it happens. Number twenty-seven comes for Sebastian. I can see it coming. I scream Sebastian’s name, but there’s nothing I can do. Sebastian’s back is to him; he’s going after the puck. He slams Sebastian into the boards, and Sebastian goes down hard. And with that, apparently Aiden’s had enough. He races at number twenty-seven and slams him into the boards next. Number twenty-seven turns around and rips off his gloves. I stare, sick to my stomach. Sebastian’s back on his feet, but now Aiden and number twenty-seven are circling.

“What are they doing?” I shriek to Tina.

“They’re gonna fight,” she yells back over the noise. She sounds about as thrilled about this prospect as I am. And then Aiden takes off his gloves. He goes after number twenty-seven. It’s brutal and awful, and I look away. The noise in the arena intensifies, and I look back down at the ice. Both teams are going at it now; it’s a complete brawl. I try to find Sebastian in the middle of it; but I can’t find him. There’s just a mass of bodies. It seems to go on forever, but it probably only lasts a minute. Finally, the refs move in and break it up. It takes a little while, but both teams finally separate. Aiden and number twenty-seven are both sent to the penalty box. A collective groan goes around the arena when Aiden gets sent to the penalty box.

“Number twenty-seven”s penalty will be longer because he instigated the fight,” Tina says, squeezing my hand. I don’t respond because I’m still busy trying to see if Sebastian is okay. The big screen shows the replay of the fight, and I look away. I already watched it live; I don’t need to see it again. But then the camera closes in on the Green Thunder players, and I can finally take a breath when I see him. He’s smiling and talking to a teammate. He’s okay. An insane urge to hug him and make sure he’s okay hits me. I pull out my phone and text Brielle, who’s got to be a mess over what just happened with Aiden.

Stephanie- you okay?

It only takes a few seconds for her to respond.

Brielle- you mean besides the twenty years Aiden just took off my life?

I can’t help but smile.

Stephanie- yeah

Stephanie- are you going back after the game? If so, can I go with you?

Brielle- you better believe I am! Aiden and I are going to have words!

Brielle- and yes, you can come with

Brielle- meet me at the south door right after the game- same place as before

I pocket my phone as the game gets going again. I glance up at the game clock. Six minutes. We just have to hold them off for six minutes. It sounds a lot easier than it’s going to be. Tina was right. Aiden gets out of the penalty box before number twenty-seven, and they try to capitalize on the power play of having one more man than they do. But they don’t. All too soon, number twenty-seven is back and out for blood. This time, it’s Gunner that gets him hard when he goes after one of our guys. Rico keeps out another three close shots, but they’re too close. One of them is going to get in. It only takes two minutes, and they get it in. I groan along with everybody else as we now have a tie game. I rub my hands together, trying to stay calm as the game starts up again. It’s an intense four minutes. Both teams are fighting with everything they’ve got, and both teams come close to scoring. But it’s still tied as the clock ticks under a minute. The entire arena is on its feet, seeing who’s going to come out on top. The clock ticks under thirty seconds. We’re fighting hard, but we just can’t get it in. Then they get a breakaway, and I hold my breath. The crowd erupts as Rico saves it, but then we’re right back in it. He sends it to Aiden, and Aiden sends it to Gunner. They converge on the net, but there’s too many of the other team. The clock ticks under ten seconds. Aiden shoots, but they keep it out. The clock ticks under five seconds. There’s a total mob in front of the net. There’s too many bodies in one spot. And then, the goalie goes wide to deflect a shot, and Sebastian and another player go down. The puck is loose. Sebastian hooks it with his stick, while still on the ground, and sends it in. The entire arena seems to hold its breath. Score! The entire place loses it! I’m screaming along with everybody else. The guys huddle together, and I can see the smiles on their faces. I begin to make my way out of the row, hoping I can get to Sebastian before he goes to the locker room. I’m almost running, I’m walking so fast. Miraculously, Brielle is already there waiting for me. Brielle gets us through security, and then we’re making our way through the back hallways to get to the family area.

We get there just as the team comes through the doors. Gunner’s the first one through, and right behind him is my man. He sees me, and his entire face lights up. I can’t help it. I run to him and throw myself into his arms, knowing that he’ll catch me. I attach my lips to his, and he practically inhales me. He’s sweaty, and his hair is soaked, and yet it doesn’t bother me...at least in this moment. It’s only when the catcalls and whistles hit my ears that I finally pull back and look at him. My eyes are level with his because of how he’s holding me; my legs are wrapped around his waist. He”s smiling so widely it almost hurts to look at it. I can’t help my own smile. “That was amazing!” I breathe out.

“Yeah it was,” he responds. Somehow, I think we’re talking about two different things.

I smile. “I’m talking about your goal.”

“I wasn’t,” he responds.

“Good game, Sebastian,” I tell him and kiss him once more. He reluctantly puts me down.

“Will you wait for me? I’ll hurry.” He squeezes my hand and kisses me again. His hands find my hips and pull me closer, and he groans against my lips. “I gotta go; I’ll be back.” And then he follows his team into the locker room. I hear them cheering a moment later, and I smile.

“Well, that was quite a show,” Brielle says with a wide smile.

I shake my head. “Like you and Aiden haven’t done that and worse.”

“Oh, we totally have,” she admits. I turn around to find a chair to sit and wait. I’d just lowered myself into it when the door to the waiting area slams into the wall. I look over in surprise and see number twenty-seven himself stalk towards the locker room door. Alarm rushes through me, and I shoot to my feet.

“You can’t be in here.” Where that bravery comes, I will never know. He turns that hateful gaze on me and runs his eyes up and down my body in a lewd way.

“And I suppose you’re going to stop me?” he sneers. He stalks towards me, and I keep my head up, refusing to look away. Then he glances over my shoulder. “You! Aiden’s girl!” A sick feeling fills my stomach. This is not going to end well. I remember what he did last time he had a run-in with her.

“Brielle, go get Aiden,” I say stepping in front of him.

“Get out of my way,” he snarls at me.

“No.” I know I’m going to regret it, but I also know I’m not going to let him get to Brielle. He comes at me and grabs my arm. I respond the only way I know. Reflex kicks in, and I knee him hard. Thank you, self-defense classes. I try to throw my head into his nose, but he stops me by grabbing me around the waist. I elbow him hard, but I don’t think he feels it through his padding. I throw my elbow up, this time connecting with his nose. Blood sprays out, and he swears at me viciously. I know it’s time to get away. I run, or at least I try. He grabs my arm and spins me around. Whether on purpose or on accident, his elbow nails my cheek and I stumble backwards.

Strong arms catch me, and Sebastian pushes me behind him before he yells at number twenty-seven and throws a punch. Somebody pulls me away from the action. “Are you okay?” Rico asks in concern. I nod, trying to find my equilibrium. He looks over my shoulder and grimaces. “I gotta go keep Aiden and Sebastian from killing Blake. I’ll be right back. You good?”

“Yes.”

I look over but can’t see anything because security is now swarming the area. There’s a ton of shouting, but I hear somebody yelling for security to get him out of here. And then Sebastian is in front of me. His eyes are livid; I can feel the anger coming off him. I’ve never seen him so angry. His eyes run over my face, and his muscles bunch. “I’m okay,” I tell him. It is the wrong thing to say.

“Don’t,” he bites out. He breathes in, and it looks like it takes effort. But I don’t say anything. “Gunner!” he barks out. Gunner turns from where he’s talking to security and walks over to us. “I gotta grab my clothes. Watch her a minute?” He disappears a minute later.

I frown at his retreating back. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

“You sure?” Gunner asks. I turn to Gunner, a frown on my face. “I think you do, so you don’t take out any more hockey players.” I’m ready to defend myself when I see the small smirk.

“He was going to go after Brielle,” I mutter under my breath.

His smirk disappears, and he turns to look at Aiden and Brielle. “Do me a favor and don’t tell Aiden that, okay?”

“How did he even get back here?”

Gunner’s expression is fierce. “I have no idea, but security on duty will probably be fired tonight. He should have never been allowed back here.” His eyes scan my face. “How’s your face?”

“Fine. How’s your face?” I snark at him.

He smirks again but doesn’t say anything. It”s quiet before he says, “I’m sorry for what happened to you.”

“Thanks,” I mumble.

“If it helps, his hockey career is over.” I look up at him in surprise. “His team won’t touch him after tonight. Two times assaulting a woman?” He shakes his head. “The first incident he can explain away. The second...he’s done. And good job with his nose.” He almost smiles at me.

“Will I have to testify against him?” I ask.

“No,” an angry voice says just as a strong arm wraps around my waist.