Page 139 of The Trophy

Have you ever had the feeling that something big is about to happen?

There’s this unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach that won’t go away; like butterflies on steroids.

I mean it’s probably understandable, since the Frozen Four final is about to start and I’m sitting right behind the bench of the home team with Lena, Cash’s Mom, right by my side.

I’m wondering if the guys have heard from Bridgeport, they have been surprisingly vague when I asked.

I didn’t press them though, I know they’re nervous about the game and besides, they might have not heard anything yet; like Luca said last night, the Warriors probably want to see how they play tonight, before making a final decision.

“You ok, sweetie?” Lena asks when the teams come onto the ice to warm up and I check my phone for the fifth time since we sat down.

“I’m fine.” I smile. “I’m sorry, I haven’t heard from my sister since last night. My messages look read but there’s no answer and if I call, I get her voicemail.”

“Oh?” Lena offers me a sympathetic smile. “Isn’t she the president of a very important sorority? That’s what Cash told me when she bought his time at that charity auction.”

“Yeah, she’s the president of Zeta Theta Beta. Those are some of her sisters right there,” I wave at Tami, Liv and Viv several rows behind us. “Usually Bay never misses a home game. I know she had some pretty important stuff to discuss with her boyfriend though, so she might join us soon.”

Topher isn’t with his team either and I wonder why.

Maybe Bay dumped him and he can’t show his face? Or worse, he managed to talk his way out of this entire mess and they’re busy making up?

I don’t know what to think and I’m frankly worried. If I hadn’t promised the guys that I would watch them play tonight, I’d be going to the Zeta house to check on Bay.

If she doesn’t text me back or show up before the game ends, I should see her at the Gamma house where we’re partying tonight.

I tell myself she’s probably making her inedible chili to celebrate the victory but I know she was planning to cook in her kitchen so the guys wouldn’t have to smell chili in case they lost. The party will happen whether we win or lose and there’s no way Bay would miss that.

My focus shifts to the game when the puck drops and aside from checking my phone between periods, I join the rest of the fans in supporting our team.

When the timer runs out after third period, I scream and jump with most of the crowd in the arena.

The only ones who aren’t celebrating are the small group of Hemlock fans.

Because we won.

The Star Cove Knights are this year's NCAA hockey champions.

It’s complete mayhem on and off the ice, everyone is hugging, jumping and just celebrating an epic victory. This is only the second time Star Cove have won the hockey championship since the college was founded.

The players are throwing their gloves and helmets and skating laps of the ice rink.

A group of them grabs their head coach and parades him around the ice as if he was the actual trophy.

It’s such a blur that I can barely spot my guys with the entire team on the ice.

I know they expect me to wait for them but maybe I can sneak out for just a second and try again to call Bay while the guys shower.

With my plan hatched, I get Lena’s attention to tell her that I’ll see her in a couple of minutes, but that’s when Luca stands at center ice with a microphone in his hands.

“Lakyn,” he says.

The entire arena goes suddenly silent.

“Hey bella,” he continues.

I open my mouth to ask him what’s going on, but the words die in my mouth when I see Cash and Blaze skating toward me.

Someone opens the door in the boards so that I can walk down the few steps that separate me from the Cove Knights’ bench.

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