Page 91 of The Love You Win

ISLA

I expected the arena to be colder. But I guess when you cram thousands of people into a space—even one with a giant ice rink in the center—it warms things up.

“I can’t believe this is your first game,” Mira gushes. Her green eyes reflect the sparkling lights of the arena as she takes it all in. Her long, dark hair is braided into loose pigtails and tucked into a yellow and charcoal gray Rogues beanie with a massive yellow pom-pom on the top. She gave me one to match, though my hair is down and in loose curls. I’m already regretting that. Should have let Mira braid mine, too. It’s going to be a rat’s nest of knots by the end of the game.

We’re both wearing a Rogues jersey with Maddox’s last name on it. Well, Mira’s last name, too, I suppose. Mine is over a hoodie, while Mira just wears a long-sleeved thermal shirt under hers. She looks completely at ease and in her element.

I’m a ball of nerves.

“No need to look so stressed.” Mira nudges me with her shoulder. “Maddy’s been on fire, so far. And if I know my brother, he’ll play even harder since you’re here. It’s going to be great, you’ll see.”

“I know,” I say, my eyes on the tunnel the team will enter from. “I guess I’m just worried about seeing him get hit in person, you know? It was nerve-wracking enough on TV. He’s got a big bruise on his ribs from that hit at the end of the last away game.”

Mira shrugs. “At least he has you to kiss it better.” She makes a kissy face, complete with obnoxious sound effects, and it helps. There’s no way not to laugh at her antics.

The guy beside her stares at us for a moment before turning to his buddy and whispering something I can’t make out. Hopefully, they don’t know who Mira’s talking about. I just want to sit here in blissful anonymity while I worry about my boyfriend.

Soon, the arena is packed with loud, excited fans. It’s a sea of yellow and gray with a few dots of Boston’s royal blue and gold interspersed throughout the crowd. The booming voice of the announcer fills the space, drowning everything else out. He announces the game between the Rogues and the Boston Renegades, then introduces each player that makes up the Renegades, as well as their coaches. The crowd boos enthusiastically, some of them heckling the players as they step onto the ice and circle the rink.

Then the lights go down and everyone turns their phone’s flashlight apps on, and music blares through the cavernous space. Mira grabs my hand with a squeal and does a little dance in her seat as the announcer begins his introduction for the Rogues. With each new player he announces, my heart beats a little faster. My eyes hungrily scan the tunnel and I stand and cheer alongside Mira when he calls out Griffin and Logan. Maddox must have told them where we’re sitting because they skate right up to the rink shield and give Mira and me a wink and a wave before skating off. The guy next to Mira stares at us again.

But then I don’t care about anyone or anything else around me. Not Mira, not the guy beside her—hell, I wouldn’t care if the president of the United States was in the stands—because the announcer calls out Maddox’s name. The crowd goes wild for him, and so does my heart. It’s thundering away in my chest. And when he makes eye contact the moment he steps out of that tunnel and onto the ice, I’m a goner.

No one else exists except for my boyfriend when he skates up to the glass, lets his eyes rove over me, winks, and then holds his hand to his heart. He grins at Mira, who’s howling with laughter at his antics, then gifts a smile to me before he skates off to join his team. I barely register the announcer calling Sebastian’s name or feel Mira bump into me with her shoulder again because I’m stuck in this surreal moment. Even when the people around us whisper my name, I hardly notice.

To be the sole focus of Maddox Graves while he’s in his element is heady.

“Oh my god, you two are so fucking adorable I can hardly stand it,” Mira crows with her hands interlocked beneath her chin.

Despite the chill in the air, my cheeks heat.

“Seriously,” she continues, “he’s different with you. You’re good for him.”

I push out a mumbled thanks, but soon the arena fills with music so loud it’s impossible to talk. And I’m glad because my heart is rioting in my chest. Maddox’s sister likes me, and he just singled me out in front of thousands of people. He wouldn’t have done that if this thing between us wasn’t getting serious, right?

As the game begins, I’m focused on only one thing. Maddox Graves. The man who just claimed my heart in front of the world.

The crowd boos and I wince as one of the Renegades’ players slams Maddox hard into the boards. Neither team has scored, and it’s been an incredibly physical game. Our guys grow increasingly frustrated as the second period winds down.

The fans also grow frustrated, and the more beer they drink, the more vocal they are about their dissatisfaction.

“Come on, Wright,” Mira shouts as Logan passes the puck to Griffin. He tries to slice through Boston’s defense, but they’re sticking to the Rogues like glue. Griffin tries to get the puck to Maddox, but it’s intercepted. The crowd boos, then grows silent as the Renegades player speeds down the ice toward the goal Sebastian guards. I hold my breath as he swats it away with his stick.

“This is so stressful,” I tell Mira. I’m holding onto her arm with a death grip.

“Tell me about it.” We both let out a sigh as the second period comes to a close and the guys leave the ice. Maddox glances my way, and I can tell he’s frustrated, so I give him a thumbs-up and a goofy smile. His lips twitch at the corners before he disappears down the tunnel.

Mira tries to reassure me. “The Renegades are good. The guys knew this would be a tough game, but I’m not sure anyone expected Boston to come out swinging this hard during the preseason.”

“Maybe if our team would get their heads out of their asses, we’d be winning by now,” the ruddy-faced man beside her says.

Mira’s jaw ticks. She rolls her eyes at me, then turns to the guy and says, “Oh, yeah? And you could do better, right?”

He huffs. “Listen, sweetheart, I’m sure you love watching the guys skate around, but some of us are here for the actual hockey. You wouldn’t understand.”

Uh-oh. I may not know Mira super well, but I know she’s fiery as hell and very protective of her brother.

“Listen, sweetheart,” she says mockingly, “I’ve been watching hockey games since before I could walk. I understand plenty, and I’m more invested in the Rogues winning than you’ll ever be. So why don’t you sit down, get another beer, and shut the hell up, okay?”

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