Chapter 17
BEN
Isuck in a deep breath as I settle into my stance, stick flat on the ice, knees bent. My legs burn, my lungs squeeze, but none of it matters. We’re down by two. Third period. Clock bleeding away seconds we can’t afford to lose.
The opposing center wins the faceoff clean, snapping the puck back to their defenseman at the blue line. He maneuvers around with the puck, trying to waste time. Austin moves in swiftly, forcing him to harmlessly sail the puck behind our net.
As Will turns to retrieve the puck, I pivot and take off while he passes to our Russian winger.
Alexei accepts the puck and picks up speed, chipping it past their defenseman. I drive hard up the right side, calling for it. He sees me. Feeds me. I collect the pass just outside the blue line, eyes up.
Options.
I wind up, faking the shot, hoping to draw someone out. Nothing. I shift to my left, looking for a seam. There—our center, Noah, fights for position at the crease. I send a low wrist shot through traffic, hoping for a redirect, a rebound, anything.
It hits a shin pad. Bounces out.
Damn it.
I scramble back, heart hammering. Their winger picks up the loose puck and takes off.
Will steps up to challenge him at center ice, but the kid is too damn fast. I dig in, forcing him wide as he crosses our blue line.
He tries to cut inside—I drop my shoulder and angle him off. He gets a shot off anyway.
Glove save.
Foster doesn’t even hesitate, slinging the puck to the corner. I scoop it up and turn up ice, pulse pounding in my ears.
Legs and lungs burning, I take the puck up the ice and manage to get it to Austin, who, by some frozen miracle, is open. He accepts the pass and shoots. It sails into the net like it’s destined to. The crowd erupts into cheers, their hope reignited, as our line leaves the ice.
Unfortunately, the last 90 seconds of the game don’t go our way. We lose 3-2.
As much as it sucks losing a home game, I try to lighten the mood in the dressing room.
“Chins up, boys,” I tell the rookies, who coincidentally are both named Cole, as they head for the showers. “You played well. We’ll get them next time.”
The kids nod and walk away a bit taller than before. When I turn back to my locker, I notice Coach Stetson watching me as he talks to the equipment manager. He gives me an approving nod before the two men turn and leave the room.
After showering and dressing quickly, Foster and I walk out together. I’m not surprised to find Beth waiting in her usual spot, but I am shocked to see who she’s with.
“Hey,” Maddy greets me as I approach them. “Great game. I mean, not great because you lost. But you played great, even though you didn’t win. Winning isn’t everything. I hope you still had…fun?”
“Wow,” I laugh. “That was a helluva pep talk, Madness. I’m inspired.”
“I’m sorry.” She buries her reddening face in her hands. “I didn’t know what to say.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t know you’d be here.” I wonder if I would have played differently had I known? Better? Worse?
“Beth invited me.”
“I figured.”
“Tough loss, big brother,” says Beth as Foster joins us. “You’ll get ‘em next time.” She turns to Foster. “We’re going to drive Maddy home. She’s just on George Street.”
“Of course,” he answers.
“I’ll drive you home,” the words come out of my mouth too eagerly. “It’s on my way.”
Foster raises an eyebrow at me while Beth attempts to hide her grin.
“Are you sure? I could call a car.” Maddy offers.
“Of course.” I reply. I can’t help but notice her smile increase.
“Well, if you’re sure”
We part ways with Foster and Beth in the parking lot. The girls hug and make plans to go to yoga again on the weekend.
We’re quiet, at first. I drive slowly. I tell myself it's because the roads are icy, but I know deep down I just want a few extra minutes with her.
“I am sorry,” Maddy says suddenly as I stop at a red light. “That you guys lost.”
I shrug. “It’s okay. I mean, it sucks to lose, but it’s part of the sport. I’m lucky to play with such great guys. We win as a team and lose as a team. It helps.”
“That must be nice,” she says almost wistfully.
“Don’t you have a team at work?”
“I lead a team. It’s not really the same thing.”
“Fair enough. How are things going at the foundation?” I ask as the light turns green and I accelerate.
She sighs so deeply I can feel it sitting across from her. “Fine.”
“But?”
“Things keep going wrong. I can’t understand where the breakdown in communication is.
My team can’t explain it either. One or two problems are to be expected, but I feel like all I’m doing is putting out fires.
It’s just frustrating. I’m the director.
Everyone expects me to have the answers, but I can’t figure out where the problem lies.
My mom says it’s probably just because it’s my first year, that things will get smoother the longer I’m with the foundation. ”
“She’s probably right. How is Darlene?” I always liked Maddy’s mom. Probably because she was so much like her daughter.
“She’s a handful,” Maddy laughs. “She’s taking up rock climbing.”
“Nice! Are you going home for Christmas or is she coming here?”
“I’m not sure what the plan is yet. She may be going to an all-inclusive this year with some friends. But she is planning to visit in early December so we can…” she trails off.
I glance at her. “So you can do what?”
Maddy fidgets with the ring on her finger. “So we can go wedding dress shopping.”
The silence in the car is heavy. My hands tighten on the steering wheel. Of course she would do that. Because shopping for a wedding dress is a completely normal thing for an engaged woman to do. And Maddy is an engaged woman.
I should tell her that’s great. Maybe make a joke, something to lighten the mood, but I can’t force myself to do it.
I still haven’t come up with the words when I pull in front of her building a few minutes later.
“Thank you for driving me home,” she says quietly.
“Thanks for coming to the game.”
She climbs out of the car and starts to say goodnight when I interrupt her. “Hey, Madness?”
“Yes?” She looks so damn beautiful in the soft glow of the street lamp.
“Don’t get discouraged about work, okay? You’re doing a great job. Just trust your gut and believe in yourself. You’ve got this.”
Her blue eyes widen and she swallows. “Thanks, Ben.”
“Anytime.”
I watch her walk away wondering if it will ever get easier, but knowing deep down it won’t.