Page 233 of Risking the Pucking Defense

“Just you wait and see,” he says with a wink before sitting back and pulling his cell from his pocket.

I try to ignore his words, but I can’t deny that they take root. But while hope is starting to flicker despite my best attempts to dampen it, unease is right behind it.

The drive to San Diego seems to take forever, and when we get there, I wish I had tried to get some sleep, but instead, I sat there spinning different scenarios around my head for how tonight is going to go.

We collect our things and head inside the arena. We’re almost at the visitors’ dressing room when someone steps up beside me.

I glance over, and my heart lurches at the sight of Coach looking back at me.

“Can I have a word?” he asks.

“Uh…yeah. Sure.”

I follow him to a small office a little farther down the hallway and loiter on the other side of a desk while he drops into the seat on the other side and rests his elbows on the top.

“Take a seat, Hayden,” he commands.

“I…um…” It takes a second, but I finally lower my ass to the chair.

“How are you doing?”

“Um…yeah. I’m okay. Thanks for asking, Coach.”

“You seem to be doing better, but I know better than anyone that a good mask can cover a multitude of sins.”

It’s no secret that Coach lost his wife quite a few years ago—Casey’s mom. I might have just lost my twin sister, but I can’t imagine how you even begin to rebuild a life without the person you’d planned to spend it all with.

“Things…are getting easier. Hailee helps.”

He smiles. “I’m sure she does. You’ve managed to snag a good one there.”

“I have,” I agree.

“So…” he starts, making my heart pound. “I wanted to talk to you before I make the announcement.”

“O-Okay,” I say hesitantly.

“I’m putting you in the starting lineup tonight. You think you can handle it?”

All the air comes rushing from my lungs.

Linc was right.

“I…um…” I drag my hand down my face, unable to stop my lips from curling up. My parents are here again tonight, and…and they’re going to get to hear my name announced to start the game.

Fuck. This is the thing of dreams.

But…Hailee’s not here.

“I might need extra minutes to make my call,” I blurt.

“I think I can allow that, as long as you bring the energy you’ve shown during practice this week.”

“I-I can do that,” I confirm as my stomach turns over with nerves.

Holy shit. Can I do that?

I reach for my pocket, my cell burning to tell the most important person in my life.