23. Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
Finn
As it turns out, I cannot afford to be late.
I roll out of bed, feeling the aftermath of a seriously good morning with Millie. My head’s still spinning from the high of our time together and I can barely keep a grin off my face.
But reality hits hard as I glance at the clock.
Shit. I’m late.
I scramble into my gear and race out the door, my mind buzzing with the excitement of this morning, but I’m also trying not to trip over my own feet. Declan’s already waiting by his car, looking like he’s in the same rush I am.
“Man, we’re screwed,” Declan says, shaking his head as he revs the engine.
“Tell me about it. I just had the best morning of my life, and now this,” I reply, trying to ignore the pit forming in my stomach.
We get to practice just as the whistle blows. Coach’s eyes lock onto us the moment we walk through the gates. He doesn’t look happy. Axel’s standing next to us, chewing gum like it’s the last thing he’s ever going to do.
“Late again,” Coach’s voice booms. “And Axel’s still on that damn gum. You three, get over here.”
Declan and I exchange a worried glance and Axel just shrugs as if to say, “What’s new?”
Coach’s face is redder than a beet as he starts pacing. “You know the drill. Extra laps for being late. And Axel, you’re doing push-ups until I say stop. Clear?”
“Yeah, Coach,” we mumble, knowing there’s no arguing.
Declan mutters under his breath, “I swear, we’re going to end up running a marathon.”
We start our laps, my legs already aching from the sprint and my mind still buzzing from the morning. I try to focus, pushing through the pain as Declan jogs alongside me.
“Morning’s catching up with us,” Declan says, breathing heavily. “But hell, it was worth it.”
I laugh. “Yeah, it was. Just hope Coach doesn’t kill us.”
Axel, meanwhile, is on the ground doing push-ups with a look of resigned irritation. “Should’ve known better,” he grumbles between reps.
The minutes tick by painfully slow as we finish our punishment. Finally, Coach blows his whistle, signaling us to stop. We’re all drenched in sweat, but at least we’re done with the laps.
“All right, that’s enough,” Coach says, “Time to get serious.”
He gathers us together. The atmosphere shifts from punishment to focus as Coach lays out the game plan. He’s animated, pointing at the chalkboard with a fierce intensity.
“Listen up!” he commands. “This is going to be a tough game against the Seattle Storm Breakers. We need to be on top of our game. They’re aggressive, fast, and won’t hesitate to exploit any weaknesses.”
Coach starts drawing up tactical moves, detailing our offensive and defensive strategies. My brain, still somewhat clouded from earlier, tries hard to absorb every word. My excitement from the morning clashes with the seriousness of the game plan.
“Finn, Declan, I need you two coordinating perfectly. Remember, their defense is strong on the flanks. We’ll use that to our advantage,” Coach says, pointing directly at us.
“Yes, Coach,” we reply in unison, determined to make up for the morning’s screw-up.
Coach continues his lecture, drilling down on formations, set pieces and key players from Seattle. The intensity of his training keeps me grounded and I find myself snapping into focus. The excitement of the morning fades as I concentrate on absorbing every detail of Coach’s strategies.
The practice drills begin and we’re all pushing ourselves hard. My mind is racing, but the earlier thrill I felt from being with Millie still lingers. Despite the sweat and the soreness, I feel a rush of energy.
As the practice winds down, Coach gathers us for a final pep talk. “You’ve got to bring your A-game. I want to see you all working together, no more mistakes. This is our season. Let’s make it count.”
We all nod, feeling the weight of his words. The excitement is back, mingling with the fatigue and anticipation.
Declan gives me a tired smile as we finish up. “You feeling ready for this?”
“Hell yeah,” I say, grinning. “I’ve got more than enough motivation now.”
The team starts to disperse and I find myself floating on cloud nine. The morning with Millie might have thrown me off track, but now I’m pumped and ready for the game. The thrill of the season is back and I’m eager to show everyone what we’re made of.
As I head to the locker room, my mind keeps drifting back to Millie. The way she looked, the way she made me feel—it’s like a high that I don’t want to come down from. Practice might have been rough, but I’m feeling more driven than ever.
I slap Declan on the back as we leave the field. “We got this. Let’s show Seattle what we’re made of.”
He nods, his eyes reflecting the same determination. “Damn right.”
We are ready to tackle whatever comes next. The punishment was tough, but it’s made us more focused, more driven.
And with Millie’s memory still fresh in my mind, I’m ready to take on anything that comes my way.
The stadium’s packed, the roar of the crowd a constant wave of sound that pushes us to the edge. I’m pacing in the locker room, adrenaline pumping through my veins. The tension is thick, almost like you can touch it. Declan’s beside me, his face set in a determined line.
“Ready for this shit?” Declan asks, cracking his knuckles.
“Born ready,” I reply, trying to match his intensity. My heart’s racing, but not just from the game. The excitement, the anticipation—everything’s a mix of raw energy and pressure.
We head out onto the rink, the floodlights blazing down, making everything feel more intense. The Seattle Storm Breakers are warming up already, their fans cheering wildly. The noise is deafening. I can barely hear myself think over the buzz of excitement.
“Let’s fucking do this,” Declan mutters, and I nod. We’re both keyed up, ready to prove ourselves.
The face-off for the puck starts the game and then action erupts all around us. I’m immediately in the thick of it, every sense heightened. The puck’s flying around, players jostling and shoving. I can hear the clatter of sticks on the ice and the thud of bodies colliding. The Seattle team’s aggressive, pushing hard and fast. Their fans are relentless, chanting and waving flags.
“Come on, Finn!” Declan shouts from across the rink. I catch his eye and nod, feeling the pressure of the game and the weight of my own excitement.
We’re playing hard, pushing ourselves to the limit. Every pass and every bodycheck feels crucial. The tension builds with each minute and I’m feeling every bit of it. The Seattle fans are relentless, their cheers and jeers mixing into a chaotic symphony of noise.
Then, it happens. Declan’s making a run down the flank, weaving through defenders like a pro. He’s got the puck, but one of Seattle’s defensemen comes in with a brutal bodycheck. Declan goes down hard, his body hitting the ground with a sickening thud.
I see him lying there` and my heart skips a beat. Play stops. The crowd’s noise becomes a distant murmur as I rush over to Declan.
“Shit, Declan!” I yell, kneeling beside him. His face is contorted in pain, but he’s conscious.
“Fuck...that hurt,” Declan gasps, trying to sit up.
I help him off the ice for the medics to take a look at him. A replacement heads out onto the ice, and I hesitate. “Go on, get back out there,” he tells me impatiently, giving my shoulder a shove.
I do as he says, glancing back over, and over again before I get back onto the ice. The tension is unbearable. I watch as Declan grimaces, but the medic nods and looks composed. Hopefully Declan isn’t too hurt so he can keep playing.
“Declan’s tough as nails,” Axel says to me, jerking his head.
I look over as Declan stands, wincing but determined. “I’m not sitting this one out. Let’s get back to it.”
The crowd’s roar is back, louder than ever. The replacement hops off the ice as Declan skates back out onto the ice, going swiftly into position. Seattle’s fans are cheering like maniacs, while ours are on the edge of their seats, watching every move. The game is at a fever pitch and I can feel the tension in every fiber of my being.
We get back into position and the game resumes with renewed intensity. Seattle’s pushing harder now, clearly seeing Declan’s potential injuries as their chance to gain an upper hand. Their offense is relentless, attacking with everything they’ve got.
“Stay sharp!” I shout to my teammates, trying to keep the focus. “We’ve got this!”
The minutes tick by slowly. I’m skating, passing and blocking with every ounce of energy I’ve got. My muscles are burning, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The game is a whirlwind of motion and noise, as I’m right in the middle of it.
The seconds seem to stretch into eternity. I glance at the scoreboard—it’s a tight game, and every play counts. I see Declan a ways away from me, playing with a fierce determination, pushing through the pain.
The crowd’s cheers are a constant backdrop, rising and falling with each play. The Seattle fans are relentless, their shouts echoing through the stadium. Our fans are just as loud, a sea of support that drives us forward.
With just minutes left on the clock, we make a break. I’m sprinting down the ice, my focus locked on the puck I’m controlling. My heart’s racing and the crowd’s noise is a thunderous roar in my ears. I pass to Declan, who’s in the perfect position. He takes a shot and the puck soars across the ice, heading straight for the net.
Time seems to slow as the puck approaches the goaltender. The crowd’s cheers rise to a crescendo and then—score! The puck hits the back of the net and the stadium erupts. We’ve done it. The game is ours.
I’m caught up in a wave of celebration, my teammates all high-fiving and cheering all around me. The tension melts away, replaced by sheer euphoria. Declan’s right there with us, a grin on his face despite the pain from earlier.
“That’s what I’m talking about!” Declan shouts, slapping me on the back.
I laugh, feeling the exhilaration of victory. “Hell yeah! That was insane!”
As we skate off the ice, I look around at the cheering crowd, the noise a vibrant hum that’s still buzzing in my ears. The game’s over, but the adrenaline’s still pumping. I feel like I’m on top of the world, floating on cloud nine despite the exhaustion.
Declan gives me a tired but satisfied smile. “Not a bad way to end a game, huh?”
“The best way,” I reply, still riding the high. “Now let’s celebrate.”
As we head back to the locker room, the energy is electric. The win, the crowd, the game—it all adds up to a feeling of triumph that’s hard to beat. Despite the rough start and the tough moments, it’s been a game to remember. And with everything that’s happened, I’m more pumped than ever to keep pushing forward.
Coach gives us a speech about how proud of us he is and that we deserve some rest tonight. And then he’s gone.
The locker room’s buzzing with excitement as the team wraps up, but my mind’s already racing towards the after-party. I’m eager to see Millie. After a quick clean-up, I head toward the VIP section where I’m told Millie and Lily are waiting.
As I approach the VIP area, the noise from the crowd fades into a more subdued buzz. The room is packed but not overly crowded, with the celebratory energy still high.
I spot Millie and Lily immediately. Millie’s got a radiant smile on her face and Lily’s bouncing with excitement. It’s like the whole crowd is buzzing with energy and it’s infectious.
“Hey, where’s Chase?” I ask, looking around.
Millie points toward the bar with a grin. “He’s getting us drinks. He’ll be back soon.”
I nod, but before I can reach them, Lily’s practically sprinting toward Declan.
“Dad!” she yells, practically tackling Declan in a hug.
Declan laughs, catching her effortlessly and spinning her around. “Hey, Lil! You look amazing tonight.” She’s got a huge smile plastered on her face. I catch Declan’s eye and he’s looking at her with such warmth. It’s heartwarming to see Declan and Lily so happy.
I turn back to Millie, who’s watching with a grin. In a moment of pure celebration, I lift her off the ground and spin her around. The excitement of the game, the win and everything between us makes me want to hold on to this moment forever.
I quickly kiss her, the touch of our lips just a fleeting but fiery connection before we pull apart, breathless and grinning. “Hey baby .”
“Hey!” she whispers back. “Congratulations on your win.”
“I’m convinced your blowjobs might actually have magic in them. I’m sorry, but I will need one before every game.”
She laughs heartily. “That can be arranged.”
I glance back at Lily and Declan. Lily’s hugging Declan tightly, her face buried in his shoulder.
“Chase should be back soon,” Millie says, slipping her hand into mine. “He was really looking forward to celebrating with you.”
“Yeah, I know,” I reply. “Can’t wait to catch up with him.”
Just then, Chase strides into the VIP area, a tray of drinks in hand. His eyes light up when he sees us and he makes his way over with a big smile.
“Got the drinks!” Chase announces, setting the tray down on a nearby table. He takes in the scene, his gaze settling on Millie and me. “Looks like you guys had a hell of a game.”
“Hell yeah,” I agree, clinking glasses with him. “And we’ll have a hell of a celebration!”
Chase raises his glass, a grin on his face. “To a great game and even better company.”
We all toast, the clinking of glasses adding to the festive atmosphere.
“How about we get some dinner?” Declan asks.
“Pizza?” Chase says.
“Pizza!” Lily yells.
“Then ice cream,” I contribute.
“I know just the perfect spot for ice cream. Pablo’s?” Declan asks Finn who just looks at me and smiles. “It has been quite some time since I was there. Pablo’s it is.”
“I am surprised you said yes. You never agree to go there,” Declan replies.
I can bet why. I refuse to feel bad. We’re back together again and Finn can’t be sad about his memories of taking me to the ice cream parlor ever again.