Page 98 of One More Time

He didn’t have to ask; he could pull me from the game off that alone. “Nah mate, really, I’m fine. He winded me a little, is all.”

Baxter studied my eyes, searching for any hint of a lie. Whatever he saw made his shoulders relax. “Okay, but if you have any signs, I need you to tell me, okay?”

I nodded, shaking off the voice in the back of my head that said I was taking a huge risk.

As the third period rolled around, it was make or break. The score stood at one-all, and our lines showed weariness from the relentless hits. We needed to muster every ounce of energy we had left so I boldly approached the heads of the team. “Coach?”

“Yeah, kid?”

“I need you to put Hunter back on my line.” I got the whiteboard and drew out my idea, shifting the play away from the top shooters because they were on us like a huntsman in the dunny. “I don’t think they’ll anticipate it.” I gestured out the play and watched as he considered it.

I let out a sigh of relief when he nodded. “Okay, but when I say so.”

Chapter fifty-two

Hunter

Inever thought I’d say it, but I was desperate for that game to end. It was supposed to be my last game with Tyler and once upon a time I wanted it to last... but he wasn’t looking good. He was pushing himself beyond his limits—and Merrimack was determined to take him down.

But give my man his credit; he took no one’s shit. In those last few minutes, he grappled for the puck, pulling off plays I could only ever dream of. Merrimack was on him like he was a number one draft pick in his first year of the league. He wasn’t a defenseman, but he damn sure acted like it. With just five minutes left, there was a risk of overtime if the game continued.

Tyler and Jarman hit the ice running on the shift change, with Jarman working his ass off to keep players off Tyler. As Jarman struggled for the puck against the boards, Tyler shoved his way behind him, ready for the pass. The Merrimack defenseman cross-checked Jarman—causing him to grab the back of his head, blood stained his fingers as he pulled his hand away. Mayhem ensued before the refs got involved. Jarman skated to the bench holding the back of his neck, and the penalty was called in the last few minutes of the game. Coach tapped me on the shoulder, showing me a play I didn’t expect. I nodded and took to the ice.

That game felt like the longest in my life—but that two minute power play was over before I could blink. It was a seamless tape to tape between Colton and Tyler, and the defenseman was doing everything in his power to disrupt our rhythm. The clock was ticking, and the final seconds were closing in. Though Tyler didn’t look at me, I could sense the buzzing energy as he showcased that fancy footwork he was known for, skillfully maneuvering the puck away from the relentless defenseman.

All eyes were on Tyler as he dazzled with occasional glances at Colton, who anticipated the puck. In those last few crucial seconds, I spotted the defenseman closing in on Tyler. Colton vociferously called for the puck. With a swift flick of the wrist, the puck met my stick, and I took the shot.

The whoosh of the puck through the air was followed by a thunderous crash. A cheer erupted, only to fall to an eerie silence.

I turned, ready to celebrate the win with my man.

Only to freeze. On the screen, the playback unfolded: the puck reached me and the impactful hit from Zane. Tyler, with one skate on the ice, lost his footing in a collision that resembled a stampeding horse meeting a rickety lawn chair. His helmet went flying upon impact and he slid, crashing into the boards with a sickening crack.

Blinking back to the present, I heard the murmurs of the crowd as Tyler remained motionless on the ice. The rush of medics and our teammates beat me to him, and the atmosphere shifted from victory to concern in a flash.

I sprang into action, shoving my way past the men. My gaze dropped, and there was Baxter kneeling next to my man. He laid flat on his stomach while Baxter tried to rouse him. Blood stained the ice, and I struggled to push the stubborn ref out of the way so I could reach Tyler. Arms surrounded me—I wasn’t sure who they belonged to. “Get off me! Tyler!” I shouted, hoping my voice would be the one to make those pretty eyes open. “Get up! Get up!” The call for a stretcher came and took my breath away.

“Hey, let the medics help him, man,”

I shook my head and shrugged the hand away. “No, I need to be with him. I need to be with him.” I scrambled, feeling myself being dragged backward. Medics rushed in, hushed tones filling the space as they maneuvered him onto the board.

Helmet off, gloves tossed aside, I pulled at my hair as I watched the scene unfold. The team of medics began to carry him off the ice—I was quick to follow.

“Tyler, I am right here. I am not going anywhere.“ The words left my mouth like a mantra, hoping he could hear me past the chaos of people seeking a response from him. I didn’t move to brush away the tears streaming down my cheeks, instead licking the salty flavor from my lips.

I shot toward Baxter. “I need to be with him. Please, he has no family here. Let me go with him.”

Baxter looked at me with sad eyes; I could see he felt partly to blame—we all were. I knew he wasn’t feeling his best. “Get your skates off; they’re taking him to the hospital.”

I’d never moved so fast in my life. Mouse, Amon, and Jarmon assisted, taking off my skates and passing me sneakers, which I hastily put on. Soon, I found myself in the back of an ambulance in my full hockey kit.

“Baby?” I took his hand, my heart breaking when he didn’t grip mine in return. I glanced up at the paramedic, who looked far too sympathetic for my liking. “Is he going to be okay?”

“His vitals are okay…”

But I knew that tone.

I suddenly understood how Tyler felt when I was in the hospital. If he felt half as scared as I was, I knew I had a lifetime of making it up to him. The blood crusted in his auburn hair made me feel sick as I leaned into his ear. “Baby, please be okay. You need to come out of this; Jamie needs his brother. I need you. I love you. I love you so much, and I know this is way too late to be saying this. Please, please just wake up and let me say it to your face, okay?” My voice turned into more of a rasp than a coherent sound as my throat constricted.

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