Page 60 of The Game Changer

“Sorry!” I shout, waving my hand in apology as I run toward Caroline’s dorm room.

CHAPTER 21

CAROLINE

Grabbing the popcorn off the table, I shove a handful in my mouth. My eyes are glued to Mikayla’s TV. She’s the only person I know with access to the game tonight, so here I am in her little living room getting ready to watch the Cougars play. My heart is in my throat as Casey glides onto the ice. He looks focused and ready to demolish the Ravens.

They have to win this game to keep their position on the table. If they do, their final game will be at the Nolan U arena, and if they win that, they’ll be playing in the Frozen Faceoff Quarterfinals.

Holy shit, that would be epic.

“Yay. Good luck, Liam, baby.” Rachel claps her hands, grinning at the screen when her boyfriend skates onto the ice. He lifts his stick and grins, Ethan right on his tail.

They’re obviously looking for the cameras filming the game, wanting to wave to their girlfriends who they know are watching.

I glance at the two besties who are waving back, even though no one can see them. I’m grateful that Mick invited me over to watch the Cougars’ away game. Asher gave Mikayla his login details so we could sign into his Sling account and watch all the sports we want.

Tonight, we’re only interested in hockey.

“Come on, cameraman,” Mikayla tuts. “Stop focusing on the Ravens so much!”

“He might zoom out in a second. He’s just doing close-ups as the players come onto the ice.” Rachel’s voice is always so soft and sweet.

“I don’t like it.” Mikayla frowns, snatching a few popcorn kernels before they skitter off the coffee table.

“Only because Ethan’s not in the shot anymore.” Rachel snorts.

Mikayla fights a grin, her nose scrunching as she ignores her best friend.

I hamper my laughter. These two are fun. I sit on the far side of the couch with my legs curled beneath me, listening to them hassle each other while the players do a quick warm-up.

“Okay, shh, shh, shh.” Mikayla waves her hand to shut us up, even though we’re not saying anything. “It’s starting.”

I hold my breath as the referee drops the puck between Ethan and the forward from the opposing team.

“Get it,” I murmur under my breath, my body tensing as Ethan swipes the puck away, passing it to Casey, who’s coming up the wing at speed. “Yes!” I punch the air while Mikayla bobs on the couch.

“Can you imagine if they score in like the first minute of play?” Rachel giggles.

“That hardly ever happens.” I rush out the words, following the puck as Casey does a quick one-timer to Asher. I’m stoked that they’re playing the same line tonight, because they always work beautifully together. It’s like they can read each other’s minds or something.

“Go, go, go!” Mick shouts as they close in on the goal, then hisses when Asher is slammed against the boards. “Dammit.”

“It’s okay.” I keep my eyes on the screen as they tussle for the puck, then wince as the Ravens player steals around the back of the goal and starts heading for our end of the arena, the puck safely in his possession.

The D-men work in sync to protect the goal but can’t stop the deflection shot fired from the right. Baxter slaps his knees together, saving the goal and making all three of us cheer like they’ve just won the Frozen Faceoff final.

“Yes! Come on, baby!” Mikayla’s standing now, clapping and shouting at the TV. “Let’s go!”

Ethan and Casey swarm the puck, forcing the Ravens to take a careless shot that fires straight into Connor’s stick. He flicks it off to Casey for a breakaway that takes him all the way to the goal.

“You can do this,” I whisper, watching his stickwork like a hawk and jumping to my feet as he nears the goal.

Holding my breath, I make two fists, then punch them in the air when Casey does a sweet deek that sneaks the puck behind the goalie’s foot. It hits the back of the net, and all three of us start dancing in front of the coffee table.

“Cou-gars! Cou-gars! Cou-gars!” we chant in unison.

Casey raises his hands, skating right into Ethan, who slaps his back while Asher pounds his helmet a couple times.

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