Page 1 of Fate on the Ice

Chapter

One

OTTO

The Calder Cup is ours.

Victory is ours.

We are the best team in the league. Earned and proven.

Surrounding the cup, our bodies are sweaty, worn, and completely exhausted, but our blood is pumping with adrenaline. We feel nothing but elation. We are the highest we can be, at least for this season.

We gather around the cup, smiling so damn big that it would take something devastating to wipe it from our faces.

This is it.

This is the thing we worked our fucking asses off for.

We’ve made it.

I’m not sure there could be anything better than this moment.

The roar of the arena pulses through my entire body, mixing with the adrenaline, and it almost feels as if I’m floating. I think I could be. It feels as if I’m on the outside looking in.

Like I’m floating above and taking it all in. It’s almost like an out-of-body experience. Pictures are taken, and fans eventually come down to the ice to congratulate and greet us.

This is the life.

This is everything I’ve ever wanted.

It’s a dream come to fruition.

This is what I’ve always dared to dream.

My lips are permanently set in a smile. It’s frozen on my face. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to wipe it off—or if I will ever want to.

I doubt I will.

Because this is too perfect.

My heart races faster and faster. Then the crowds die down, well, except for the girls, the puck bunnies who are ready and willing to celebrate—hard. They are escorted out but let us know that they’ll be waiting. They’re always ready and waiting.

Coach Burns barks at us to head into the locker room after they’ve walked out of the arena. We follow behind him, and he makes his way to a bench. Standing up tall, attempting to tower over us as soon as we make our way inside.

Then he delivers a speech.

It’s a good speech, rousing and exciting. I only half listen. My adrenaline is beginning to wane, and exhaustion is starting to set in. But I want to party, so I’m trying to stay the fuck awake.

When his speech is over, we all break and shower. The conversation is lively. The adrenaline begins to build again, but mainly because we’re all ready to celebrate now. There are going to be parties, lots of booze, and sex…lots of sex.

Drying off with the provided white towel, I wrap it around my waist as I make my way toward my locker to change.

“You going to have a party?” Reid asks me as he tugs on his jeans.

He doesn’t live with us anymore. His life has taken him to other places, like a woman. His woman. And Lorelai is fucking fantastic. They are happy, and she’s the best thing that could ever happen to him. I’m sure they’ll be doing their own partying tonight.

Looking over at him, I shake my head a couple of times. About a year ago, five of us bought a house together in a quiet neighborhood. It just so happened to be across the street from a whole houseful of gorgeous women.

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