Skating Into Forever – By Caitlin Loggins #6
Sophie let out a shaky laugh, running her hands through her hair. “Honestly, I feel like I might. I'm just so nervous for him, I want him to get that third goal so bad. He's never had a hat trick before so it would be something special for him. For both of us.”
Amy and Samantha exchanged a quick glance before Amy stood up, holding a hand out to Sophie. “Come on, let's take a walk. Maybe it'll help calm some of your nerves.”
Sophie hesitated for a second, but she knew Amy was right. Sitting still wasn't helping. If anything, the sitting and waiting for the next period to start was making her more nervous.
Samantha followed behind the two girls as they made their way up to the concourse.
“From what you've told us about him, you're way more nervous than he is, I guarantee it,” Samantha said as they walked past the team store. “He's probably in the locker room drinking a Gatorade and messing around with his teammates.”
That made Sophie laugh a little. “Yeah, that definitely sounds like Liam,” she said, her nerves starting to ease a bit.
The three of them continued walking, Sophie telling Amy and Samantha more about Liam as they made their way back to their seats for the start of the third period.
Moments later, the puck dropped to start the third period, and the Blades immediately went on the attack.
Liam was right in the middle of it all. He was winning puck battles, making passes, and generating quality scoring chances every chance he got, trying his hardest to get that elusive hat trick goal.
Halfway through the period, he nearly got it. A quick pass from Adam set him up in the slot, and he fired a one-timer but the goalie managed to get a pad on it, deflecting it just wide of the net.
Sophie groaned, clutching the armrest of her seat. “That was so close, just a couple more inches and he would have had it.”
“He's gonna do it,” Samantha said confidently. “I can feel it.”
The minutes continued to tick down as the tension in the arena grew along with Sophie's nerves. The Blades were still hanging onto their one goal lead but the game was far from over and Liam still hadn't gotten his hat trick.
Then with just shy of three minutes remaining in the third period, Liam's moment finally came.
A loose puck found its way to him at center ice and he surged forward, splitting the opposing team's defense as he rushed toward the net.
With a slick move, Liam deked the last defender, pulled the puck to his backhand, and fired it top shelf for the hat trick.
For a brief second, everything went silent. Then the arena exploded in cheers, hats raining down on the ice as the announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers. ‘ Goal Scored by number 55, Liam Holtz! His 20th of the season and third of the game!’
Sophie couldn't contain her excitement, she leapt to her feet, throwing her arms up in the air as tears of joy streamed down her cheeks. Amy and Samantha grabbed her in a hug, all three of them jumping up and down.
“He did it!” Amy screamed, wrapping her arms tighter around Sophie and Samantha. “Your guy just got his hat trick!”
Sophie could barely hear her over the cheers as she watched Liam turn toward the stands like he had done after his first goal of the night and when he found her, he grinned, tapping his glove over his heart before pointing right at her.
Sophie's heart melted as she blew him a kiss.
“Okay, that was the cutest thing I've ever seen,” Samantha said as the three of them settled back into their seats for the rest of the game.
The last minutes of the game passed by in a blur, the Blades hanging onto their lead until the final buzzer sounded, winning 5-3.
As Sophie watched Liam and his teammates celebrating the victory, she knew exactly where she'd be heading next.
She couldn't wait to head down to the locker room so when he came out, she could throw her arms around him and tell him just how proud she was of him.
Before she could make her way down to the tunnel, a familiar voice called her name.
“Sophie!”
She turned to see Sarah, the Blades athletic trainer, walking toward her. Sophie frowned in confusion. Sarah never came up into the stands.
Hey Sarah, what's going on?” Sophie asked, slightly nervous as Sarah came over and stood in front of her.
Sarah only smiled. “Liam needs you down on the ice.”
Sophie's pulse sped up. “Is he okay?” she asked, a hint of panic creeping into her voice.
“He's fine, more than okay actually” Sarah assured her, taking Sophie's hand and leading her toward the stairs. “Just come with me.”
Amy and Samantha exchanged wide-eyed looks before practically shoving Sophie forward. “Go get your man!” they called after her as Sarah led her down to the ice.
Sophie's heart raced as she followed Sarah through the tunnel and stepped out on the ice.
The moment she stepped off the bench, her breath caught in her throat as she took in the scene in front of her.
Liam's teammates were gathered in a semicircle at center ice, all grinning like they knew a secret that she didn't. And there in the middle of it all, stood Liam.
He was still in full uniform minus his helmet and gloves, which were laying on the ice beside him.
Sophie carefully stepped forward, her heart pounding. “Liam? What's going on?”
Liam took a deep breath, his eyes locked on hers as he dropped down to one knee right there at center ice.
“Sophie,” he began, his voice thick with emotion.
“Four years ago, you walked into my life and that was the best thing to ever happen to me.
You're my best friend, biggest fan, my good luck charm, and the love of my life.
I don't want to go another day without knowing that you'll be mine forever.”
Adam skated forward, handing Liam a small velvet box. Liam flipped open the box, revealing a ring that sparkled under the lights of the rink.
“Sophie, Will you marry me?”
Without hesitation, she nodded furiously, her voice cracking as she blurted out, “Yes! Yes! A thousand times Yes!”
Liam smiled as he slid the ring onto her finger before standing and pulling her into his arms. As Liam kissed Sophie, sealing the most unforgettable moment of his life, his teammates erupted into cheers, their sticks banging against the ice in celebration.
Sophie could barely believe what had just happened. One moment, she was celebrating his hat trick with Amy and Samantha, and the next, she was standing at center ice engaged to the love of her life.
THE END