Page 80 of Playmaker

Her soft, tired smile shut me up. Rubbing her thumb along mine, she said, “I’m not worried about it.”

“You’re not?”

She shook her head. “No. I wasn’t going to broadcast it on social media or tell that weird reporter five minutes after we got together, but I mean, the team knows. If other people find out…” She trailed off and shrugged. “I’m more concerned about being here for you than about keeping us a secret.”

At that, I relaxed a little. “Thank you for coming.” I moistened my lips. “How, um… How did the rest of the game go?”

“It was a hell of a grind, but we pulled it off.”

My spirits brightened minutely. “Yeah? What was the final score?”

“2-0.” She smiled. “Sims got a gorgeous empty netter.”

I managed a laugh. “Good. She’s been losing her mind that she hadn’t scored a goal yet.”

“She has a truckload of assists, though.”

“Yeah, but you know how it is.”

Pursing her lips, she nodded. “Yeah. Well, she’s got one now. And she got a primary assist on my goal.”

I laughed. “Why am I not surprised you scored?”

She just smiled, leaned down, and kissed my forehead.

I was glad the team had held it together, and that my defensive partner had rallied too. I knew from experience how easy it was to shake apart after my D partner had been carted off to the hospital. That she’d managed a primary assist and a goal—empty net or otherwise—meant she hadn’t spiraled like I’d done in the past. I could definitely breathe easier now knowing I hadn’t thrown her off her game.

Sabrina continued filling me in on the game, which lifted my spirits a lot. It was good for the soul, listening to her tell me about Laws chirping at one of the opposing players until she goaded her into throwing a punch, and how Anya had made two highlight-reel saves during the third period.

“I’m not surprised the officials reviewed that second one.” Sabrina shook her head. “Weallthought the puck went in. I mean, most ofAnyawent in! But when they showed the video review…” She whistled. “I don’t know how, but she kept that puck from crossing the line.”

“Wow,” I said with a laugh. “Where was it?”

“Caught between her skate and her pad. She said afterward she wasn’t even sure if she’d felt it, but she was pretty sure that was where it was. Sure enough…”

“Jesus.” The goalies had almost no peripheral vision and could barely feel anything through their gear. “I’ll bet Seattle wasn’t happy about that.”

Sabrina laughed and shook her head. “I’m surprised their coach didn’t get ejected, honestly. She’s about as chill as any head coach, but oh my God…”

“What did she expect the officials to do, though? Make an exception when the puck didn’t cross the line?”

“I think she was convinced itdidcross the line, but Anya nudged it back over.”

“Oh for God’s sake.”

“I know, right? So the refs threatened to eject her, and we got a power play because of the bench penalty for unsportsmanlike. Kind of tilted the ice in our favor after that, but they still made us work for it.”

“Those assholes.”

“Seriously.” She scowled playfully, then laughed. Sobering, she reached into her suit jacket and took out her phone. “Oh, and Detroit was losing last time I checked.” She peered at the screen and tapped it a few times. Then her face lit up as she showed me the phone. “Looks like the hockey gods are working in our favor tonight.”

I looked at the screen.

Detroit: 2

Albuquerque: 5

Time remaining: 0:32

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