Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
JASPER
Fuck.
Walking out of the hotel to catch the bus to the rink, a heavy wet snow is falling. At least two inches coats the sidewalk.
Not good.
We’re supposed to leave Denver tonight after our game and head back to Nashville. With Quinn’s trial tomorrow, getting stuck here is the very last thing I need.
Not that I should even be thinking that, but it’s a sticky snow and I’m worried.
“Think it’ll clear up by tonight?” I ask Noah, dropping down into the seat across from him.
He taps on his phone and holds it up for me to see. “They’re predicting at least eight inches.”
“Fuck.”
“If we can’t leave tonight, we’ll head home tomorrow.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about,” I say, passing his phone back.
“What’s the issue?”
I drop my voice, turning my head from side to side to make sure no one is listening. “Quinn’s trial starts tomorrow.”
“Oh, shit,” he mutters. “And you were going to be there?”
I nod. “I was planning on it.”
I realize it’s pointless to keep my voice down because showing up in court tomorrow is going to announce to the world that the two of us are together. I mean, why else would a hockey star be at her trial?
“Denver is used to this kind of weather. I don’t think it’ll be an issue.”
“Knock on wood.” I rap my knuckles against the back of the seat in front of me.
“Not actually wood,” Bode points out, turning around.
“Not the point,” I hiss.
“Just worry about the game and then you can worry about the weather,” Bode reiterates. “Nothing else you can do now.”
“Easy for you to say.”
The drive to the arena is a slow crawl. Between the weather and the traffic downtown, it does nothing to soothe my nerves.
I would give anything to be back home with Quinn right now. Hockey schedules are not forgiving when you would rather be anywhere else.
It feels like I’m letting her down by not being there with her. I’ve done my best to keep a positive attitude with her, but I still worry about what might happen if that fucker gets off scot-free.
It would devastate Quinn.
But I can’t think about that.
Not as the bus finally pulls into the arena.
I push myself harder during practice and warm-ups than necessary. The burn in my legs helps quiet the thoughts racing through my head.
What I’m doing here? Not as important as Quinn.
All I’ve ever wanted in my life is to have something to show for it. That I’ve accomplished something.
Playing for a winless team for so long and not having anyone to come home to? Being one of the least liked players on the team? Never a fun feeling.
All of that changed when Quinn came walking—well, more like messaging—into my life. Thank God I didn’t scare her away with that feline connection joke.
She’s all that matters now. As much as I would love to lift the Cup above my head, she’s the most important thing.
And I hate that I’m not there for her when she needs me the most.
“You good, man?” Graham asks as we head out to the tunnel for the puck drop to start the game.
“I’m good.” I nod, blowing out a breath.
Hockey. I can’t think about anything else.
With a win tonight, we can lock up a playoff spot. That’s all I need to worry about. Knowing Quinn is watching—and will be pissed if we lose—carries me through the start of the game.
Hopping over the boards to start my shift, I do everything I can to keep the momentum for the Knights up. Noah and I are skating well together, keeping the Black Diamonds off the board. Their goalie is one of the best in the league, but Bode is better, capitalizing on a missed pass.
Marcus chirps with Hollins, a friend of his from college, after the goal. Even though it’s 1-0, they won’t let the game get too far ahead of them.
That’s exactly what they do. They tie up the game before the second period, and take the lead with an easy goal at the start of the period from Cash Williams, one of their stars who also happens to be married to Noah’s sister.
Noah stops a goal from going in by taking one to the pads, and I’m able to grab the rebound and take off down the ice. Our winger is right there with me and I fire it over to him to tie up the game.
Fuck, yeah.
This is exactly what I need. We’re skating hard and giving Colorado a run for their money.
They are always one of the best teams in the league, and it feels fucking amazing to be tied with them right now.
Marcus and Bode take the ice, and watching the two of them play together is a thing of beauty. The way they read each other on the ice? It’s only something you can learn from playing together for so long.
We end the second period tied at 2-2 but come out swinging in the third. They aren’t ready for us and we get two easy goals to pull ahead.
They get another goal halfway through the third, but we’re able to fend off their advances to close out the game 4-3.
“Playoffs, baby!” Noah claps me on the helmet as we skate off the ice. “I’ll never get used to this feeling.”
“Feels pretty damn good,” I say, meaning it.
Because even though hockey isn’t the most important thing in my life anymore, it still feels amazing.
“Great goal tonight,” Graham congratulates me as we head into the locker room.
“Thanks, man. Their goalie was caught off guard.”
Graham shakes his head, tossing his gear into his stall. “Doesn’t matter. A goal is a goal and without it, we wouldn’t have locked up the playoff spot.”
“He’s right,” Bode agrees. “We need to celebrate when we get home.”
“Sorry, men. Looks like we’re not getting out tonight,” Coach Andrews says as we all gather around him post-shower.
“Fuck.” I bang my head against the back of the locker. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
“Anything we can do to help?” Marcus asks.
“Assuming Noah filled you in then?” I turn to look at him.
“Yeah. Sorry, man. Not ideal but you want to get home in one piece.”
“I know. I’m going to call Quinn when we get back to the hotel.”
Marcus claps me on the shoulder. “I’ll get these guys down to the bar so you can have some peace and quiet.”
“Thanks, man.”
I pull out my phone to text her, but like after every game, a message is waiting for me.
Quinn
PLAYOFFS!
Hell yeah!
I knew you could do it
You guys looked great out there
I can’t wait to celebrate when you get home tonight
Fuck. I hate the sick feeling that washes over me because I won’t be there for her. Forget about me, it’s her I’m worried about.
Jasper
About that…
Quinn
Is everything okay?
We’re grounded tonight
Too much snow
Fuck
Do you know when you’ll leave?
No clue
I haven’t left the arena yet, so I’m not sure how much snow has come down since we got here
It’s okay
No it’s not
What if I don’t get back in time?
I’ll manage
You shouldn’t have to
Claire said she’d be there too
I have her
I know
But I want to be there for you
I hate snow
Can I personally petition the NHL commissioner so you never have to play a team in a cold weather city during the winter?
That’s just what I needed
Doubtful, but if anyone could, it’d be you
It’s just rude you can’t get home
What if I were having a baby and you needed to get home?
Well, we’d be royally fucked then
Because I plan on getting home in one piece to you
Ugh!
Stupid snow
It’ll be okay
Claire will be there for you
Eric will get what’s coming to him
And when the season is over, you and I are going to take a vacation together
Switzerland?
I hear the beer there is amazing
Throw in some fondue, and I’m sold
I love you
I love you too
Don’t worry about me
Focus on tomorrow and kicking his ass
Ass-kicking mode locked in
I’ve got this
That’s my girl