Revenge Puck (Shot at Love #1)

Chapter 42

42

Elle

I was so worried that showing up unannounced with Christian would go so badly that Preston would have a shitty game. Or that Christian would be off during this game because he just met his son for the first time.

Thankfully, I was wrong on both accounts.

Preston is playing just as hard and aggressive as usual, but without getting any penalties. And Christian is faster than ever. The score is tied up two to two in the third period, and everyone in the entire arena is on their feet for the last three minutes. We could be going to overtime where the Warhawks win the championship with one more score, or the Bobcats could make a comeback, win today, and take this whole series to game seven back in Greensboro.

While Preston may be hitting Christian every chance he gets, it doesn’t seem as personal as before, like it’s all part of the game, both men doing their jobs to try to help their team win.

Christian spins around a Warhawk player, then he’s racing down the ice, one on one with the goalie. He goes left, then right, then shoots.

And the goalie throws up his mitt and catches it.

Wow, that was close.

And I’m not even sure who I’m rooting for anymore. I want both teams to win so badly. But knowing this is Preston’s final game in D.C. no matter what happens, I guess I’m rooting for him a little bit more.

Just because it’s over between us doesn’t mean I don’t still care. That I don’t still love the grumpy man. We just can’t be together because he’s moving to California.

Since he didn’t even ask me to come with him, I think he knows as well as I do that it will never work.

Not that I would up and leave Audrey, our salon, all our customers, and being a short drive away from my parents. Still, it would’ve been nice to be asked.

The game does go into overtime, which means up to twenty more grueling minutes of hockey, where both teams are worn out.

Nothing much happens during the first ten minutes. It’s like neither side can get the puck out of the neutral zone.

But then one of the Bobcats gets a penalty for delay of game, throwing the puck up into the stands, which means the Warhawks will have an extra man on the ice.

You can tell they smell blood as they get into position. Three different players make a shot. A Bobcats forward tries to steal the puck, but Preston keeps it in play, passing it to the teammate across the ice from him. The player draws his stick back and lets it fly from the blue line to the goal where it’s deflected by the goalie.

But another Warhawk player is waiting right in front of the goal. As soon as the airborne puck lands, he taps it with his stick and it’s in!

The Warhawks score and win!

Fans around me jump up and down, some even hug me even though I’m not wearing Preston’s Warhawk jersey. No, for today’s game, I bought a black tee promoting the series, the mascots of both teams and a vs. in between them.

It was my way of being neutral. Or as neutral as I could be when the man I love just won the championship trophy.

Black and red confetti rains down on the ice as the Warhawks celebrate by hugging each other. I watch as Christian fist bumps a few players on the opposing team before reaching Preston. They say a few quick words to each other, bump fists, and don’t throw any other punches. Their truce feels like its very own miracle. One I hope will last for Maya and Finley’s sakes.

I’m so glad that Preston is making the effort to forgive the other man, if for no other reason than for his nephew, who he knows is watching.

I stick around long enough to see Preston get his turn to heft up the trophy and kiss it before I slip out of the arena, telling myself I’m just trying to avoid the rush when everyone else leaves.

The truth is, I know it’s time to let him go, to say goodbye, no matter how hard it is.

Preston

We did it.

The Warhawks actually fucking did it.

And I played a small part in helping my teammates finally get their hands on the championship trophy, everything they’ve always dreamed of.

While I may have won it back in my first year in the league, I was too young then to fully appreciate the moment. It seemed so easy, as if it didn’t take a shit ton of work and a little bit of luck for such a huge accomplishment.

The Bobcats and the coaching staff actually stay on the ice through the entire ceremony, which is surprising, but also decent of them. They fought a hell of a series, almost taking it to game seven if Vincent hadn’t stopped Christian’s goal in the third period and Nick hadn’t made that rebound shot in overtime.

All the little plays from an entire series added up to this win.

And I’m so glad Elle was here, even if she wasn’t here for me but as moral support for Christian.

“Congrats, Lawrence,” Coach Bell from the Bobcats says when he approaches me with his hand out.

“Thanks, Coach.”

“It’s too bad you prefer California to the Carolinas. It would’ve been good to have you playing defense for us.”

“Ah, yeah, well, I never got an official offer from the Bobcats.”

“Because your agent told us not to waste our time, that you were headed to the West Coast.”

“That’s…I didn’t think I would be able to live and play in Greensboro,” I tell him honestly as I see number nineteen, skating to the locker rooms, shoulders hunched in defeat but head up, searching the stands. “You know…I haven’t signed a contract yet.”

“Is that right?” Bell asks with a smirk.

“Is the team still interested?”

“We’ll send an offer over as soon as we emotionally recover from today’s loss.”

“You’ve got a tough team,” I tell him.

“Here’s hoping it’ll be a little tougher next season.”

Shoving his hands in his pockets, he walks off the ice with his head still held high, proud of his team’s accomplishment, even if they didn’t win it all.

He seems like a decent coach. The team is stacked with great players in every position except for maybe defense. Christian and I have no choice but to be on good terms now, which means the only thing keeping me from moving to the city and team to be with the woman I love is what? A few dollars?

Okay, so it’s probably more like a million of them, but Elle’s worth every single penny.

I search the stands for her again, having no idea where she would be sitting in the packed house or if she’s still here.

But I bet I know which hotel she’s staying at tonight.

Heading off the ice, I stop in the locker room long enough to untie my skates and kick them off along with my helmet and gloves before putting on the dress shoes I wore to the arena. Then I grab my phone and I’m set.

“Nice outfit, Lawrence,” Spencer says with a chuckle as I head out of the locker room. “Where are you headed looking like that?”

“I’ve got to go find my girl.”

“We’ve got a trophy to celebrate tonight at the owner’s house!” he calls out.

“Yeah, save me a beer. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

Jogging out of the arena as fast as I can in the slippery soled shoes. I call my sister first.

“Hey! Congrats on the big win!” Maya answers.

“Hey, thank you. Now I’m going to find Elle.”

“Oh. Well, good for you.”

“And I may be moving to Greensboro.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Nothing is in writing yet, but maybe you will reconsider moving…”

“I-I don’t know. He’s only met him once!” she whispers into the phone.

“I know that, but I’ve got a good feeling about this.”

“Well, you and your good feeling can do whatever you want. I have to figure out what’s best for me and Finley.”

“I know. I get it. I just wanted to give you the heads up, so you could think about it over the summer.”

“Okay, well, you have more important things to think about tonight. Finley and I won’t wait up for you.”

“You’re that confident that Elle will take me back?”

“I’m that confident that you won’t give up yet, even if she does.”

“True,” I agree. “Let me know when you two are home safe.”

“We will. Love you, big brother.”

“Love you too,” I tell her before ending the call and taking off down the sidewalk in front of the arena. I don’t even bother trying to get a taxi or Uber since the street is packed with fans celebrating, some of which high five me as I run by them.