Page 27 of Love on the Ice

My lips curve up into a grin. He releases his grip on my neck then takes a step backward before he taps the back of my head. Then it’s the fuck on. I am going to end this damn team, and my focus is Baxter.

LORELAI

After a quick run to the bathroom, which resulted in taking up the entire break by standing in line, I rush back to my seat, not wanting to miss a second of the game. The music is loud. It thrums throughout my whole body. I can feel it inside of me as I sit on the edge of the seat and wait.

The girls are all chatting with one another. But I can’t do anything except stare at the ice and wait for Reid to appear. When the lights go out and the announcer starts to speak, my heart begins to race even faster.

He looks directly at me, then skates over to the glass, placing his hand on it in front of me. He’s wearing gloves. I lift my hand and press my palm against his gloved one. Then he’s gone, and I stay there for a moment too long.

Brooklynn reaches out, wraps her fingers around my wrist, and tugs my arm down so I don’t look like a complete idiot any longer.

“He’s smitten,” she whispers. “It’s sexy as hell.”

Turning my head, I look at her. I know that my eyes are wide, and I probably look as shocked as I feel. Her lips curve up into a huge smile. One that is clear she can’t wipe off her face. I almost laugh, but I don’t. I can’t find the humor, mainly because I’m too surprised to search for it.

“Lorelai,” she exhales.

Turning to her, I stare into her eyes, and I know I have to look completely insane. She laughs but doesn’t say anything immediately and thankfully doesn’t call me out on looking crazy. Instead, she wraps her fingers around mine and squeezes.

“It’s your turn, Lorelai.”

“I doubt it," I reply softly.

She tilts her head to the side, resting it against my shoulder. “I don’t. You deserve all the good. And this one is good. I can feel it in my bones. And I’m sensitive that way.”

I believe her. Between her and Karlie, I truly believe they can feel things. Maybe they’re empaths or something, but they always appear when I feel my worst, and they are always there to help me in some way. Whether it's to cheer me up or just to talk.

The game begins again, and before I realize what’s happening, the whole arena stands, and everyone screams. Another score for the Fury. I didn’t realize this team was so good. I don’t know what I expected, but this is wild.

The entire arena is electric. I thought it was crazy when the game started, but now that we’re a few hours into it and they’re winning, it’s insanity. They’re so close. The timer is still running, and I don’t know whether to scream or bite my nails right now.

Then something changes. A hush goes through the crowd. I don’t understand it, but when I find Reid, I see he’s with that guy who he got in a fight with. They’re close to one another, and it’s clear that this is now personal. I can see the fire in Reid’s eyes. His nostrils flare, and they go for it.

Hard.

Their sticks slap one another. The fight is on. Chewing on my bottom lip, I peel the skin until it bleeds. I can taste the metal. I can’t watch. I’m not sure why this is so nerve-racking. It shouldn’t be. It’s just a game, and I’ve never cared much for sports.

But watching Reid move around the rink, it’s clear he was made for this. He’s graceful in a way that I just didn’t realize was possible for a man his height and stature. The loud horn sounds again, and everyone stands and screams.

Another score.

And when I stand, I look at the board. Thirty seconds. That’s all that’s left. Unless something major happens, the Fury are going to win. Reid throws his arms in the air in victory. The replay shows him stealing the puck away from the guy he fought, and then he does something with his wrist and the stick and gets the puck into the net.

It’s really amazing, and I wish I knew more about the sport so I could be as excited as the rest of these people. But I cheer anyway, mainly because it’s Reid. His victorious skate around the rink doesn’t last long because it’s time to get back into the game.

Another hush befalls the crowd. I hold my breath, my gaze flicking from the timer on the screen to the actual game. I start to scrape my teeth across my bottom lip again, looking for more dead skin to rip off, or maybe I’m creating it. I’m not sure.

Then it happens. Another steal, another shot, another score right before the buzzer fills the whole place. The crowd goes absolutely insane. And I jump to my feet, joining them. Screaming my head off like a lunatic and laughing at myself as I do it.

Chapter

Twelve

REID

Baxter spits at my feet as he skates by me, calling me an asshole when he does. I don’t give a fuck. I am an asshole. I’m not going to sit around and let him goad me. I have no desire to get into fistfights with him, not when I can embarrass the whole fucking team instead.

We’re wild when we get into the locker room. The whole fucking place is vibrating with excitement. We have won again. We’re one more game closer to the Calder Cup playoffs. I am fucking here for it, ready to play in those games and win.

---