30. Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty
Cameron
It’s the last game of the season before playoffs. And my head is a mess.
“You got this,” Dad tells me as we stand outside of the locker room. “Just keep your head in the game and don’t think about anything else.”
I nod. “I know. I got this.”
He grins, patting my shoulder. “I’m glad everything worked out the way it should. The whole mess was just a blip in a long career. Playoffs are right around the corner, and I know you’re gonna kill it.”
“Absolutely,” I choke out, my stomach full of nerves.
“You can do this,” he says one more time. “I’ll see ya on the ice.” With that, he turns to go, heading for the front of the rink entrance.
I head into the locker room, my mind running a hundred miles an hour as I strip down and ready myself. I block out everyone and everything, just like always. I know the plan. I know the opposing team’s strengths and weaknesses.
I can do this.
“Dude, you look like you’re about to be sick,” Blaze says as he puts his street clothes into his duffel bag. “You sure you’re good to play?”
I glance over at him, seeing the concern written all over his face. “I’ll be fine,” I tell him. “I just need to get out there and my head will level out.”
“I hope that’s what happens.” Dylan steps into the locker room, his face twisted as he takes me in. I must look pretty bad—especially if Dylan is the one commenting. “You look rough, Hastens.”
“I’ll be fine,” I snap. “Like I said, I just need to get back out on the ice.”
“Okay.” He puts his hands up in surrender and returns to readying himself.
It’s going to be alright.
It will be .
But the moment I’m out on the ice, my head is spinning even harder. I can barely breathe as they make it through the opening ceremonies for the game.
I can’t bring myself to look up into the cheering crowd. I don’t even try to spot my dad and his new love.
A hand comes down on my shoulder. “If you need to sit this out, you tell me.”
I turn to Coach Wilson and shake my head. “I don’t think that’ll fix it.”
“I know, but I can tell you’re not mentally here, son.”
I don’t want to argue with him, but I don’t want to be benched, either. “I’ll be fine.” They call for the game to start and I pull my helmet down over my face, skating out to my position.
I’m front and center for the Glaciers. I’m good at what I do. The crowd is cheering, which has always been fuel to my fire. I should be feeling more alive than ever right now, but I’m not.
What’s wrong with me?
I shut my eyes for a moment, and she is all I can see—perched up in the stands and watching me at practice. It’s the last game of the season, and I want her to be here. I want to skate over and kiss her when the game is over, whether we win or lose.
But I need to let it go.
“Come on, Hastens!” Coach shouts at me as the game begins. My reflexes are slow, and the Ravens just got the jump on me.
This is not good. Coach is going to pull me .
Kade gives me a chiding look as he skates by, intending to cover me. I’m the weak link tonight. And this is embarrassing. I should be driving the puck to the goal, and instead, I’m driving us to a losing game.
“Time!” Coach Wilson shouts.
I run my hand over my face, more discouraged than ever. They start the thirty-second clock. We huddle, and I brace. “Hastens, you’re gonna get pulled if you can’t keep it together.”
“I’m going to straighten up, I swear,” I exasperate as the thirty seconds end and the buzzer sounds. Finally, I look up in the crowd, searching for my dad. I need him to give me some sort of reassurance.
My eyes instead land on a group of three people walking down the stairs. They’re late to the game, but I don’t miss the fact that every single one of them is wearing a Hastens jersey. It picks me up a little as I take in their faces.
And my heart stops.
I’m met with a pair of beautiful jade eyes in my white and blue jersey.
I know those eyes.
I know that fiery red hair.
My jaw drops.
And Nila gives me a smile.
“You got this,” she mouths to me, stopping in the middle of the stairs to raise up a white poster board sign. I almost pass out as I read the bold block letters .
I LOVE YOU, TOO.
“Let’s go!” Blaze slaps me on the shoulder as he skates by to set up.
I break out into a huge freaking grin.
She loves me, too.
And just like that, my fire is back. We’re going to win this game, and I’m going to do it for her. For us . For our future .
Two hours later, I’m skating down the length of the rink, the puck sliding across the ice with ease. My eyes are on the goal. This is it. Ten seconds to go. I rear the stick back and smash into the puck. It hurdles forward.
“Goal!” I hear someone scream from the sidelines.
“And the Glaciers take the win!” the announcer exclaims. “What a way to go out.”
My team rushes to celebrate. We high-five and hug, but my eyes are on the woman in the stands, sitting next to her friend and Garrett Norris on the far end of the three. They all came here to support me, and even though I don’t yet know them, I already appreciate her circle.
I wave at her to come down and join us as we all celebrate on the ice. She hands the sign to the woman beside her and rushes down the steps.
I skate over and step off the ice to meet her. Our eyes lock in with each other, and for the first time, I’m speechless. I don’t even know what to say to her .
“Hi,” she says, her cheeks blushing crimson. Photographers snap our picture, but I can’t see anyone but her. “You played great.”
“Once you showed up.” I close the distance between us, reaching out and grabbing her hand. “The sign was creative.”
She giggles. “It was Garrett and Brittany’s idea. I wasn’t sure if you’d think it was too much.”
“Never,” I tell her, my emotions choking me up as she steps closer. She places her hands on my chest. “I’m glad you came, Nila.”
“I’m sorry I left the way I did.” She holds my gaze, her eyes glistening with tears. “I thought that I couldn’t have a relationship and my career, but the reality is, I was just making excuses. I’m scared to get hurt, but I’m even more scared that I’ll lose someone I care about. I don’t let people in.” She blows out a sharp exhale as I thumb away a tear on her cheek. “But you changed that for me. You saw me for who I am.”
“I’ll always see you, Nila,” I murmur, pressing my forehead against hers. “We could be in a sea of a million people, but it’s always going to be you.”
She lets out a breathy laugh. “Ditto. I had no idea how much I’d miss you until you were gone, and I thought maybe I was going crazy ... but ... that’s not the truth at all.”
I press my lips to the bridge of her nose, my heart stuttering as she catches her breath. My arms lace around her and I pull her in, desperate to hold her, inhale her perfume, and cherish this moment.
She came all the way here for me.
To tell me she loves me.
And I’ll never take that for granted.
Nila tilts her head back, exposing her slender neck, and I press my lips eagerly against hers. The sugary sweetness of her breath fills my mouth as she parts her lips for me. Her sweet taste coats my tongue as it slips through her parted mouth.
She responds with a passion that takes my breath away, drawing me deeper into this moment with her. Time seems to stand still as we lose ourselves in each other’s embrace, completely consumed by the fire of our shared desire.
I would make out with her in front of anyone, I’m fairly certain. In fact, I want the whole world to capture this moment and blast it all over the internet.
I finally got the girl.
And she’s got me.
As she pulls away, her lips slightly swollen, she smiles.
“You’ve never looked better,” I say, admiring the way my jersey drapes effortlessly over her body. “The number three suits you.”
She chuckles, giving a playful twirl to show off the jersey. “Someone once told me it was a lucky number.” She winks.
“Lucky for me,” I add, grinning from ear to ear .
“Lucky for both of us.” Nila looks down at the jersey, running her fingers over the fabric. “I love it,” she says softly, a shy grin playing on her lips. “It feels like a piece of you.”
I lean in, brushing my nose against hers. “It is a piece of me,” I murmur. “And now it’s a piece of you too.”
She closes her eyes, savoring the moment before opening them to meet mine. “I’d really like to introduce you to my friends. You inspired me to let people in, and when I did, it was amazing the friendships that I found. Of course, Garrett is my client and Brittany’s new boyfriend—made official on the way here—but, um, yeah. They really helped me.”
“Then I’d love to meet them,” I tell her, planting a kiss on her head. My heart’s pounding from the adrenaline of winning the game, as well as the fact that I can’t believe this is happening right now.
I never expected to see Nila again.
A few minutes later, we’re joined by Garrett and Brittany, whose hands are interlocked.
I extend my sweaty hand to each of them.
“This is Cameron,” she tells them, a big smile on her face. “Cameron, this is Brittany and Garrett. Without Garrett’s private jet, I don’t think we would’ve made it.”
I raise my brows. “A private jet?”
Garrett shrugs. “Sometimes it seriously comes in handy. I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever used it to charter off to a hockey game last minute, but it definitely worked in our favor. ”
“Thank you for getting her here,” I say, gratitude filling my chest. “Means the world to me.”
“Yeah, no problem.” He laughs.
“You’re so sweet,” Brittany says to Garrett, placing a soft kiss on his cheek.
The guru’s face grows bright red, and I exchange a glance with Nila.
“They’re obsessed with each other.” She sighs, giving them an annoyed look that makes both of them laugh. “I thought I might vomit on the plane ride over.”
“You know”—I pull her into me again—“I think I might be obsessed with you.”
Her thick eyelashes bat as she looks up at me. “I think the feeling might be mutual.”
“I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you, too.”
I slide my hand across her cheek, my fingers roping through her hair as I pull her lips to mine. Maybe it’s excessive.
But I know I’ll never get over kissing her.
And it feels a lot like forever.