Page 55 of Blindside Love

These guys have my back, even when I feel like I don’t deserve it. After my talk with Liam the other day, I’ve been trying to think of how to tell everyone that I’m going to retire. I know I need to let my team know soon, but first, I’ve gotta tell my dad and the rest of my boys.

My boys deserve to know before everyone else. We’ve been through some shit together, both on and off the ice; they need to hear it from me. I know damn well they’ll support me in that, just like they are now. But now is not the time for that conversation, now is the time to win a fucking hockey game.

“Well, let’s make it fucking happen. I’m ready to break some ankles and score some goals,” I growl, suddenly ready to fuck some shit up.

Besides, when I left, Ellie said that she and Natalie were going to watch the game tonight, so it’d be nice to score at least once with her watching.

Right as I stand up, Coach comes back out letting us know it's time.

We’re all zoned in as we head out towards the ice. It’s now or never against this new team, and I’d hate to have the first time we go against them to be a loss.

When the puck drops, Miles is on it first, passing it over to Tyler, one of our defensemen who immediately works to get the puck down on the other side of the ice, away from our goal. Luckily, I’m the closest down towards the goal this time, so I’m first to the puck, already making my way past center ice.

Seattle got a little overconfident that they were going to win the drop, so they let their coverage on me lapse just long enough.

As I skate towards the goal, their goalie, Collins, is ready. I fake a shot to the right, and right as he goes to make the save, I shoot left, making it just above his right shoulder, just barely sliding in.

“Fuck, yeah!” I shout as the rest of the team comes to celebrate. Right as I skate past the camera, not knowing if we’re live or not, I stare directly into the camera and wink.

Hopefully, Ellie’s watching and realizes that goal was for her.

One down, two more to win. Let’s fucking go.

Our second line is now on the ice and it’s killing me to sit back and watch, but they’re doing work. After two shots on our goal, our defensemen, Davis, steals the puck and passes it to Eriksson who sends the puck directly into the goal, just barely out of reach of their goalie.

Fuck yes.

But now that it’s fucking tied, it’s time to win.

The rest of the game is rough, a fight to keep the puck away from our side, taking every single shot we can. Cade and their goalie are both kicking ass tonight, holding strong this period, letting nothing slip by them. It isn’t until there’s just over a minute left in the game that we finally get a solid chance. They were taking a shot on our goal, everyone at that end of the ice while I waited around center ice, just hoping for a chance at the puck. Right as Lee is about to shoot the puck, Harris steals it, passing it quickly to Miles who’s already on the move towards center ice, far in front of the Seattle players.

I follow along on the outside as Miles shoots, barely missing as he hits the edge of the goal, bouncing off in my direction. In a split second, I get the rebound, fake a shot, but pass it right to Miles, who hits it with a quick slap shot, scoring the game-winning goal right between the five-hole.

After a quick celebration, we get back to playing and hold them off for the last forty seconds, securing another win and hopefully a playoff spot as long as Dallas loses tomorrow. Now that it’s towards the end of the season, we’re all fighting for a playoff spot, and tonight has us up one game, holding on tight to first place.

It feels fucking incredible knowing we have a shot at a playoff run, especially knowing that this is my last season before I hang my skates up.

Chapter 20

Ellie

Great game tonight. You guys had me nervous for a bit.

Trevor

You guys watched? :)

I pinky promised you we would.

Trevor

Good to know those are important to you.

The most important.

Trevor

Noted. ;)

---