Chapter Five
T hat Friday, Allison clutched her purse closer as she navigated the crowded arena concourse, her grandfather's puck a weighted presence inside. After last week’s surprise win, the energy in the building was electric. Even the hot dog vendor was wearing a Charm City Chill jersey.
"Allison, over here!"
Pauline waved from the friends and family section, phone already in hand. Her brother Liam's jersey number gleamed on her back, and she'd added blue ribbons to her braids since last week’s game.
"You're just in time," Pauline said as Allison slid into the seat beside her. "Mrs. Peterson just posted the most amazing thing in the group chat."
"The what?"
"The building chat group. We started it after last week. Everyone's in it—well, except you, because we weren't sure if you'd want..." Pauline's voice trailed off as she noticed Allison's expression. "Sorry. Too much?"
"No, it's..." Allison forced a smile. "It's great that everyone's excited."
Pauline's thumbs flew across her phone screen. "Mrs. Peterson knit good luck socks for the whole team. She's working on matching scarves for all the defensemen now. And Mr. Chen set up this whole shrine thing in his apartment with Chill memorabilia. Jenny from 3A is organizing a watch party for the next away game."
She paused in her texting. “Do you have it?” Pauline asked seriously.
Allison knew she was talking about the puck.
“Uh, yeah.” Allison motioned to her purse.
“Can I see it?” She leaned forward eagerly.
“Sure.” Allison took it out and held it in the palm of her hand. The people around them crowded in for a better look.
Pauline took some pictures of it and sent it to the group. Allison’s phone started binging with several notifications. She switched off her phone and put the puck back in her purse when the teams emerged for warmups. Allison's breath caught as Kane led the Chill onto the ice. As if sensing her gaze, he glanced up at their section. Their eyes met briefly before he turned to take a shot on goal.
"Oh my god," Pauline squealed. "Did you see that? He totally looked for you first thing."
"He was probably just scanning the crowd."
"Right. Just like he was 'just being neighborly' when he helped you move in?" Pauline waggled her eyebrows. "The group chat thinks you make a cute couple."
Allison groaned. "Please tell me people aren't discussing my love life in a chat group."
"Fine, I won't tell you." Pauline's grin was wicked. "But Mrs. Peterson is already planning the wedding colors. She thinks navy and silver would be classic."
Before Allison could protest that she and Kane hadn’t even gone out on a date, the teams cleared the ice for final preparations. Coach Vicky paced behind the bench, her forest green blazer standing out among the navy and silver of team personnel. She was speaking intensely to her assistant coaches, gesturing at a tablet in her hands.
The first period started with a burst of energy. Kane's line took the opening faceoff, and immediately Allison was sucked into the excitement. The Chill was on fire. Passes connected. Plays developed.
"Marcus said Coach completely overhauled their defensive strategy," Pauline commented as Kane's line changed. "See how they're positioning differently on the blue line?"
Allison nodded, trying to focus on the technical aspects rather than the way Kane's butt looked as he leaned forward on the bench, listening to Coach Vicky's instructions.
The period ended scoreless, but the Chill had dominated possession. Coach Vicky looked pleased as she followed the team down the tunnel, already talking strategy with Kane.
"Check this out." Pauline thrust her phone at Allison as the Zamboni circled. "The neighbors are going crazy. Mr. Collins says he can feel the luck in the building."
The chat messages scrolled past:
Mrs. Peterson: Just finished Jax's scarf!
Jenny: OMG did you see Kane's wrap-around attempt??
Mr. Chen: My lucky bamboo plant is pointing towards the TV. Very good sign .
Martinez Family: Abuela lit the special candles! Goals coming in 2nd period!
"It's like a superstition support group," Allison muttered.
"Speaking of support..." Pauline's voice turned sly. "Kane's playing amazing tonight. Must be because his lucky charm is here."
"The team's playing well because they're talented and well-coached."
"Uh huh. Is that why he keeps looking up here between shifts?"
The second period started before Allison could argue. The game's intensity ratcheted up as both teams created scoring chances. Coach Vicky called out line changes with precision, matching personnel to situations.
Halfway through the period, Kane gathered a pass at center ice and accelerated. He split the defenders with a burst of speed that had the crowd rising, deked left, then snapped a shot over the goalie's shoulder.
The arena erupted. Kane's teammates mobbed him against the glass as the goal horn blared. When he finally emerged from the celebration, his eyes found Allison's. His smile was brilliant, private despite the thousands watching.
Pauline grabbed her arm. "Did you see that? That was totally for you."
"It was for the team." But Allison's cheeks were warm.
The chat group exploded:
Jenny: KANE!!!!
Mrs. Peterson: The lucky socks are working!!!
Mr. Collins: My bookie says thank you
Martinez Family: GOOOOOOOOAL! Abuela's candles never fail!
The Chill carried their 1-0 lead into the third period. Coach Vicky had them playing a tight defensive system, protecting the advantage. Kane's line continued creating chances while being responsible in their own end.
"Liam says the team feels different," Pauline said during a TV timeout. The local television studio carried all home and away games. "More confident. Like they believe they can win now."
Allison watched Kane direct traffic during a penalty kill, pointing out positioning to his teammates. The final minutes were tense. The Bombers pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, but the Chill's defense held. When the final horn sounded on their 1-0 victory, the celebration roar could have been measured on the Richter scale.
"Party at my place," Pauline announced as they gathered their things. "Max is at Grandma’s tonight. The whole team's coming. You have to join us."
Allison hesitated. The thought of Kane fresh from victory, adrenaline-flushed and happy, was tempting. But she could already imagine the knowing looks, the whispered comments about Michael Warrant's granddaughter and the lucky puck.
"I should get home," she said. "Early story time tomorrow."
"But—"
"Really, I'm tired. Tell the guys great game."
The drive home was jarringly quiet after the arena's energy. Her apartment felt empty. She changed into pajamas and tried to read, but her mind kept drifting to the party. To Kane.
Her phone buzzed.
Wish you were here to celebrate.
She stared at the message, emotions warring in her chest. Part of her wanted to text back something flirty, maybe suggest a private celebration. But that was the loneliness talking. Another part whispered doubts. Would he be texting if the team had lost? Was she just the lucky charm he needed for a playoff push?
The apartment chat group pinged with party updates. Pictures of the team celebrating. Comments about their improved play. Theories about the puck's magic.
Pauline says you had story time tomorrow. Very responsible. Unlike Dmitri, who's currently trying to teach the entire defense ballet moves to use on the ice.
A smile tugged at her lips despite her doubts.
Please tell me someone's recording that, Allison texted.
Oliver's got it covered. Though Coach might kill him if it ends up on his channel. Thanks for bringing the puck. The guys really needed this win.
And there it was. The puck. Always the puck.
Glad I could help. She set her phone down, hugging a pillow to her chest. The victory should have felt sweeter. The team was winning. Kane was texting her. So why did it feel like she was setting herself up for another heartbreak?
Her phone buzzed again.
Hey. You okay? You seem quiet.
She thought about the way he'd looked for her before warmups. How his eyes had found hers after the goal. The private smile meant just for her.
But she also remembered Jesse's smiles. His attentiveness. How quickly it had all changed once he got what he wanted.
Just tired. Congrats again on the win.
Get some rest. Dream about my goal.
Despite everything, she laughed. He was making it very hard to maintain her emotional distance.
The phone lit up with another message from the building chat:
Mrs. Peterson: Just finished another lucky scarf! The team wins when I knit during games. I'm thinking a nice navy and silver afghan would make a lovely wedding gift...
Allison groaned and turned off her notifications. She definitely didn't need to see Mrs. Peterson planning wedding gifts in a group chat that included Kane. Not when she wasn't even sure if his interest would survive a loss.
Still, as she drifted off to sleep, she found herself remembering that moment after his goal. The way he'd searched for her in the crowd, like sharing the victory with her was more important than celebrating with his teammates.
Maybe that meant something.
Or maybe she was falling for another hockey player's charm, setting herself up for an even bigger disappointment.
The puck sat silently in its case, offering no answers. Just the weight of expectations and superstition, pressing down on whatever was growing between her and Kane.
Her last thought before sleep claimed her was that love shouldn't feel like luck. It shouldn't depend on winning streaks or magical pucks or a grandfather's legacy. But her heart wasn't listening to logic anymore. And that terrified her more than any hockey game.