Page 103 of Puck It!

As the guys set up for a play, Jax works the puck back and forth with his stick, starting to move towards Springfield goalie. He passes to Wes, continuing to skate the puck up the ice before it is passed to Sully. But with no clear shot Sully sends it to Jax who has not slowed, those long legs get him across the ice quick, a fast skater, getting a clear shot, the speed of his skating and the power behind his stick, he sends the puck to the back of the net.

"YES!!"The vibration in the stands rockets up through my heels as the crowd goes wild. Jax and his famous blowing out his stick causes me to giggle, watching him celebrate, seeing the player I’ve seen my whole life. Confident, has never shown fear, earlier slightly shocked me.

I’ve never seen him that nervous. But he’s not now! He jumps up on the glass in front of us at the same time Dax and Brayden do, along with the home team joining in. And it makes my heart swell that these guys came all this way to watch Jax, Koda, and Sully play their first pro game.

I shoot him a wink before he pulls up his jersey on his arm, revealing my thong wrapped around his wrist and I giggle.

Oh, tonight is going to be so much fun.

THIRD PERIOD

Second period ended 2-1, a few more shots were made in the final minutes, but no goals.

Now, starting third period watching the guy’s skate around, getting ready for the faceoff in third period. Still seeing the fiery energy that was burning before. In a way, I’m glad Jax has kept his head in the game, and not texted me during intermission, taking that time for himself.

A worry I had. I did it. I texted him in the dressing room, but I will admit this is bigger than what I did.

Jax skates in front of the glass coming to a stop and I step up to the glass meeting his gaze as I kiss my hand then place my flattened hand on the glass and he smiles a laugh. His glove to the face of his helmet before his gloved hand comes to mine through the glass.

We share our stare for a moment before he’s off.

Sucking in a deep breath, saying my own little end game prayer, before I sit back down; Come on guys.

Dax grips my shoulders from behind and I look back at him, and he laughs.

"What?" I ask.

"You’ve got him wrapped around your finger."

"Ha! That’s funny." I laugh.

"I’m serious Macie, Jax only had one other serious relationship."

"Why’d they break up?" I’m curious, he wants to bring it up, I’m going to dig a little.

"Because Jax couldn’t let the one girl he wanted get away, you."

My stomach tightens with how tight my heart is, feeling that. Knowing Dax wouldn’t lie to me, he never has. I look back out on the ice, my eyes finding Jax before they get blurry with tears.

I’m scared to death of love, but I’ve found it again, and I feel it more than I ever have; How could I have been so blind.

Faceoff begins as the puck drops and the play begins with Jax getting the puck to Tyler behind him to work the play differently than keeping it forward. Tyler sends the puck to Damon working back behind Koda in the net, Sully and Jax crossing in center ice, and the play begins.

Damon sends the puck to Wes, before the puck is taken down the ice, sent to Jax, to Sully, taking a shot on the goalie, but their goalie blocks it, keeping the puck in play, Jax gets the puck and makes another shot, sending the puck to the upper right corner, his favorite corner.

"YES! That’s what I’m talking about!" Dax cheers.

"They are on fire!" I nod, agreeing with Keri with my smile as big as it can be watching the celebration, enjoying the celebration, and celebrating myself.

This goal only fuels the fire in these guys too, they skate harder. You would think in third period, only ten minutes to go now, they would be looking tired; Oh, no, not these guys. They skate harder than they did in the first period.

Tyler and Damon on it, doing well at defending the net and Koda, Sully and Jax working as the team they always have and Wes working in well with them. They all work like a well-oiled machine for just starting to play together.

Quick shift changes on and off the ice, the guys catching their breath, before they are sent back out on the ice. Keeping the puck in play and not so many damn icing calls; I sometimes find those calls annoyingly obnoxious and excessive at times, but hey, it’s the game.

And then there is finally one of those icing calls I was talking about, causing the play to stop and another faceoff to be on our side of the ice, right in front of us.

Somewhat a disadvantage being that close to Koda in the net, already right there, but, Tyler, Damon, and Sully, all stay close to Koda defending him from the beginning as the puck is dropped and Jax gets the puck to Wes, and the teams spread out, all setting up for plays.

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