Page 222 of Risking the Pucking Defense
I smile down at her, hoping like hell that she’s right.
The game is brutal. Vancouver comes out with a point to prove, and fuck me, do they try every tactic in the book to try and secure the lead.
But no matter how hard they try, they can’t get past our D-line. And on the very few times they have, Handsy has been a freaking beast in the net, stopping every single one of their attempts and reminding us all that we’ve got one of the very best tendys in the league.
The crowd is wild as two Vancouver players walk their asses to the box, giving us another power play. We managed to score in our last one, much to Vancouver’s irritation.
The puck drops, and the three Vancouver players on the ice do their best, but it’s not enough to stop Kodie and Fletch from finding the back of the net.
With us up by four and the clock counting down to the end of the third period, we’ve got it wrapped up. The crowd’s chants get louder, the excitement palpable as they watch their beloved Vipers do what they do best.
My eyes scan the seats behind our bench, just like they have numerous times during the game, to find Hayden’s parents.
I swear, they haven’t stopped smiling the whole game, and when Hayden climbs over the boards for a shift, pride oozes from them. The sight of them supporting him so wholly makes my chest ache in the best kind of way. There’s no one on this planet who deserves that kind of love and encouragement more than Hayden.
As far as I know, they haven’t spotted me, and I’ll happily keep it that way. While I’m content hiding in the shadows, I’d rather they not know that I am.
There’s only a minute left on the clock when our D-line makes a shift change, and I watch as Hayden dives over the boards and grabs his drink. Knowing exactly where I am, he finds me in a heartbeat. The most incredible smile lights up his face. But our little moment only lasts so long, because Rett and Killer hit the ice to finish this off.
Vancouver wins the puck drop, and they dart across the ice, desperate for one last chance to slip the puck past Handsy.
Their D-line races over the blueline, throwing everything at this last chance.
But Rett, Killer, and Handsy are ready.
Rett intercepts the puck on Vancouver’s first change and takes it around the back of the net before sending it over to Killer who sends the puck toward our forwards for a breakaway. He pulls his stick back and just makes the shot as Cooper Nash collides with him, sending Killer flying.
I swear the entire arena gasps at the force of the hit.
Killer hits the ice hard, and there’s a beat of silence as everyone waits with bated breath to see if he’s okay.
It takes a second or two, but the moment he moves, everyone breathes a collective sigh of relief. But as he rolls onto his side, clutching his leg, the fear begins to settle over everyone again.
The guys surround him as our medical team races onto the ice.
“Shit,” I hiss, my cell buzzing with a reminder that I need to move my ass and get ready for post-game press.
I’m torn. As much as I resisted being pulled into their little group, I’m now firmly a part of it. And not only is Killer my colleague, but he’s also now my friend.
Hayden’s eyes meet mine across the ice, silently telling me that it’s okay to go.
I take off with my heart in my throat.
We’re barely two weeks into the season, and we can’t lose one of our best D-men already.
As I get closer to where I need to be, I put on my professional mask and do what I need to do.
There’s literally nothing I can do to help Killer or any of the guys right now. But I can ensure that post-game press goes as smoothly and as quickly as possible so that they can get out of here and be the support that Killer might need.
I’m forced to watch on a screen as the medics carry him off the ice. The devastated look on Killer’s face tells me everything.
His season is over, and he knows it.
62
HAYDEN
The mood in the dressing room is somber despite our hard-earned win. Watching Killer go down like that has more than overshadowed anything we achieved.
