Melting the Ice(144)

            He paused. “Yes.”

            She rinsed, then opened her eyes to find him staring at her, an unfathomable expression on his face.

            There were things they needed to talk about. But everything was so new between them, this declaration of love. It was still so tenuous, and she didn’t want to do anything to break that bond. So instead, she leaned forward and kissed him, then laughed. “My own personal shampoo slave. I like that.”

            He laughed, breaking that tension. They finished cleaning up, dried off, and got dressed, then cuddled together on the sofa.

            She could get used to having him here with her whenever he was in town.

            But that was a topic for another time. Right now, it was enough that they loved each other.

            One step at a time.





TWENTY-NINE


            THE DREAD IN THE PIT OF DREW’S STOMACH WOULDN’T go away. Despite he and his team having had one hell of a pep talk in the locker room before the game about this being just another game, they all knew what kind of game this was.

            Another goddamn road game.

            And as soon as they took the ice, it was as if New Jersey already knew they could take this game away from them.

            There was nothing like having the hometown crowd in your corner cheering you on. Typically he ignored the boos from the fans of his opponents. It was only natural for them to want their team to win, and the Travelers stood in their way. Fortunately, because New Jersey was so close, a lot of the die-hard Travelers fans often came to watch them, so he soaked in the cheers of their fans as they were introduced.

            They’d need every ounce of fan energy tonight for this game.

            It’s just a game, just like any other game. He tried to remember Bill’s advice, tucked it inside him so he’d just focus on the game, not the location.

            He lined up against New Jersey’s defender and when the puck dropped, that was it. It was game time and everything else got shoved into the back of his head. He could no longer hear the crowd noise, whether they were cheering or booing. The only thing that mattered was getting to the puck and lighting up the net.

            He and Trick were in sync tonight, their passes were on the mark, and when Drew scored the first goal, he was pumped, every part of him feeling as if they could turn this around.

            At least until New Jersey scored three minutes after his goal.

            Shit.

            But they battled back, Trick forcing the puck on a breakaway. Sweat pouring down his back, Drew skated like his life depended on it, the defender right on his skates as he made his way to the New Jersey goal. He got the puck, passed it to Trick, who shot it between the goalie’s legs.

            Another goal, and Drew felt the momentum building. No one was going to take it away from them tonight. They were going to win this game.

            At the end of the second period, they were tied. The coach told them they looked outstanding, and they were better than New Jersey. There was no reason they couldn’t take the win.

            Drew felt the same way. Avery’s thigh had mostly healed and despite having two goals scored against him tonight, his reflexes were better than they’d been in weeks. His save percentage was off the charts tonight, especially with New Jersey being so aggressive at the net. The defenders were fierce, and the Travelers offense was determined. They were meshing like never before. This was their night.

            When Drew and Trick came off the ice for a breather, Sayers and Litman came on, skating like they were on fire. They shot a goal right into the net between two defenders and the whole team lit up.

            Drew and Trick did the same when they came back onto the ice, and suddenly they were up two goals with a minute and a half left. All they had to do was avoid penalties and keep the defense strong. There was no way they could lose this game.