Chapter 36
The energy in the locker room is electric. We did it—we clinched our spot in the playoffs. The sense of relief is heavy, and exhilaration leads the way as celebrations get underway. Guys are laughing, clapping each other on the back, and giving anyone within arm’s reach a back-breaking bearhug. This moment is the culmination of months of hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering determination. Sure, it is just the first step in the battle for the Cup but I know damn well each and every one of us are going to make the most out of it.
My teammates fought tooth and nail for this. For the very first time, most of us on the team can show the world what we are capable of. I have been to the playoffs before during my time with the Montreal Saints, but have never made it all the way. It is the ultimate goal and one that I will accomplish in my career. Now that the playoff spot is ours, we have to stay sharp. Be ready to take on whatever comes next. And right now, that is partying.
I skate away from the crowd, finally free of the celebrations. Once I get off the ice, my mind is buzzing with adrenaline from the game, but my first priority is to check my phone. Throughout the onslaught of congratulations, I search for one name in the flood of notifications. There it is, her message standing out like a beacon.
Ziggy: You did it.
Congratulations!
A smile tugs at my lips as I quickly type out a reply.
: We did it.
Couldn’t have done it
without you.
Almost immediately, my phone buzzes again.
Ziggy: Don’t diminish it…
you played great tonight!
: Thanks. Your
support means way more
than you know
There is a pause before her next message comes through.
Ziggy: I’m proud of you,
Elliot. This is huge.
I feel the warmth of her words spread through me, grounding me while the rest of the locker room is pure and utter chaos. I need to change the subject quickly, before something even cheesier or sappy comes out of my mouth.
: Are you heading
back to the hotel before
going out?
Ziggy: Yeah, I have a little
something crotchless
that I’m trying out
tonight.
: Are you wearing
them right now…
Ziggy: No, silly.
That is why I need
to go back to the
hotel to change.
Ziggy: Will I see you
at the after party?
: Definitely.
: I need to
celebrate with your
new panties properly.
Ziggy: Can’t wait.
Her simple response sends a shiver down my spine. I turn back to the celebration, my thoughts already a step ahead, waiting for the moment I see her again. Ziggy has been a constant source of support and strength throughout this journey. The only person I want to share the moment with is her. I can’t wait to get the rest of the bullshit out of the way and spend the evening with my girl.
After all of our postgame chores are over, the boys and I can fully focus on celebrating. The team's General Manager has a bar pre-booked for us to celebrate. He must have really been feeling confident in our ability to bring home the win and advance to the playoffs to have forked out an ungodly amount of money on renting out a bar in advance. It would have been a real bad vibe if we had lost— all of us sitting there crying into our beers.
Luckily, it isn’t something we have to worry about tonight. We won and are ready to fucking party. We deserve it, and the night is just getting started. We are all on cloud nine, so none of us bother enough to give a shit that we have to ride the team bus through the streets of Pittsburg like some kids on a school bus. I stand up on the bus, ignoring the protests of Nolan as I shout back to the rest of the team, “Let's get wrecked, boys!”