Page 71 of The Perfect Snipe

“Thank you. Guess I kind of needed to vent.”

She stands on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek. “Anytime. That’s what girlfriends are for, right? I mean, that’s what I am, aren’t I?”

The sudden doubt filling her eyes when I just stand there, dumbfounded, has my mouth working quicker than my brain as I take her into my arms. “You’re not my girlfriend.” She looks down, blinking, lips trembling, so I tilt her head up, forcing her to meet my gaze, to see my smile. “You’re the love of my life.”

Her laugh is soft, a tear escaping, which I quickly wipe away. “You had me there for a minute.” She gently swats my chest, before kissing me, long and deep. When she pulls back, she’s smiling wider than I’ve yet to see. “You’re mine too.”

Never thought I’d find someone I loved as much as Wendy. I always thought movies and books were the only places people ever got to find love again after their first one died. Guess I was wrong—one of the few times I’m happy about it.

I nuzzle into her neck, kissing my way up to her ear. “Glad we’ve got that out of the way.”

A soft moan escapes her lips and I nip the connected lobe. She pulls back, her teeth sinking into her bottom lips. “Never thought I’d be saying this but . . . behave.”

I chuckle, then take her hand in mine. We walk back into the apartment where everyone’s taking a break to watch the game. It’s the start of the second period and the score is tied. Can’t believe it. Thought it would be a blowout.

My stomach twists, heart beating faster. Even my palms are getting clammy. My teammates are fidgeting, nervous as well. Roan’s biting his nails, to which Garrison keeps batting his hand away. Nora keeps ruffling Wyatt’s wavy blond hair, trying to distract him as his leg bounces rapidly.

I clear my throat, hoping to get their attention. "Let's finish setting this place up. We can watch the last period properly once we're done."

They grumble but get back to work. By the time the intermission report comes on, the apartment is set up, someone’s ordered pizza, and we’re all sitting around. I chuckleat Mykyta, who I’m learning is a stress eater. He’s already polished off half a pie and considering how fast he’s eating, I don’t think he’s chewing his food.

The third period begins, and the food all but forgotten . . . except by Mykyta, who's eyeing the last slice like it holds the secret to victory. Cat joins me on the couch, curling into my side. I wrap my arm around her shoulder, bringing her in for a hug.

“Come on, come on,” Smitty says as the Blackhawks narrowly miss a shot on goal.

With five minutes left, the game’s still tied. My heart's racing, and I'm pretty sure I haven't blinked in the last ten minutes.

And then, it happens.

The Blackhawks' center intercepts a pass, breaks away, and scores. The room erupts, and for a second, I think I might pass out from the sudden rush of adrenaline.

I remain seated, muscles locked. “It’s not over, there’s still time.”

But two minutes later, lightning strikes twice. Another Blackhawks goal. The room explodes into chaos, and suddenly Cat and I are at the bottom of a celebratory pile-up.

When Cat yelps, they finally back off, but the excitement is far from over. Mykyta sweeps Rosa into a bear hug while Wyatt spins Nora around, kissing her passionately.

“We’re going to the fucking playoffs!” Roan has the biggest grin on his face. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him happy.

For a second, I just stand there, frozen in place, as chaos unfolds around me. Mykyta’s cheering booms across the room, Wyatt’s practically lifting Nora off the ground, and Roan—Roan, of all people—is whooping and hugging everyone.

But me? I’m just standing here, taking it all in.

My entire body deflates as I let out a long exhale, the tension that’s been coiled for months unraveling.

We did it. Against all odds, we've clinched the wildcard spot.

“You okay?” Cat’s staring up at me, those brown eyes full of concern.

Of course, I grunt because I can’t find the words. She reaches up and wraps her arms around my neck. I pick her up, holding her close, and when she wraps her legs around my waist, I bury my face in her neck.

“We did it.”

“Yes, you did.”

Rosa claps her hands and says, "I think this calls for a celebration. Who wants cake?"

And just like that, the elder Alonso’s new apartment becomes party central. There's laughter, there's cake (where Rosa pulled it from, I have no idea), and there's a sense of joy that fills the room like a physical presence.

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