Page 107 of Redeeming Heart

We made it.

We made the finals.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

Our locker room was filled with inciteful cheers. We were finally a step closer to taking the championship. I still believed that we had to up our approach especially when we are facing the final team next week. They were strong and proved it throughout the championship.

We got dressed and headed out after our celebrations—finding our family and friends waiting for us. Jonah was the first to embrace me with a high-five followed by my father greeting me with a hug.

“That was quite a performance,” My father noted, taking a look at my elbow.

“I am going to be fine, other than have a scar for a few days, but nothing to worry about,” I assured him. It was just a small reminder that hockey was a contact sport and no matter what happens, there will be a time that we as athletes will eat grass and hard.

“Am I going to see you for the finals?” I asked my father—aware that he had to get back home and so did Meredith.

“We’ll see what we can do. I don’t want to miss a chance to see your team crowned as the champions.” He said hugging me as their ride pulled up that was taking them to the airport.

I didn’t blame him if he couldn’t make it. He had a serious case coming up and he has been at every game since we made sure to participate in the finals.

I waved them goodbye and stood on the sidewalk until they were out of sight-- noticing the girls were making their way to the bus that was taking us back to the lodge we were staying at for the following weeks. Most of the teams were staying at the lodge and I expected Brandon’s team was also going to stay there or maybe their coach upgraded them to fancier living conditions.

Most of the teams were already gone after they fell out. It was mostly just us left as the team we are facing next week stayed in a high-end hotel. We had the whole campfire part to ourselves and the girls were excited to roast marshmallows—going as far as begging the coaches to buy some before they made their way back to the lodge.

It wasn’t the best time of the year to be in Pennsylvania as it was in the middle of their wintertime. It wasn’t as cold as we first arrived as Spring was slowly creeping closer, but it was still not warm enough to be outside.

After dropping our things off at the lodge we decided to go to a skiing resort that was a few minute’s drive from the lodge we stayed at. I wasn’t a pro when it came to snowboarding and I kind of expected Brandon to be there as did remember seeing a snowboard in his room.

He had the slick moves of a person who has been doing this for quite a while.

I kind of started yearning to get back on my skateboard and it was the first thing I was going to do when I got home.Oh, and heat. Thankfully Louisiana should have sunny weather when we go home.

Brandon pulled up his goggles and slipped them on his head. I am not going to lie when I say I missed him. Our talks at night that were over five hours long didn’t feel enough.

They were facing the town’s favorite ice hockey team tomorrow on their turf and we were planning on being there. We already started making a huge banner and decided to go with our rebel uniform shirts just to give them some motivation they've given us.

“Should I assume that this is not your first-time snowboarding?” I asked when he neared, kicking snow towards me on purpose.

Smiling at me when I gave him a pointed stare but it turned into a chuckle when he placed his board down and wrapped an arm around my waist and smothering me with his thick jacket as he greeted me. Holding me tightly against him and whisking out the cold in my shivering limbs.

“I missed you too, Adams.” He said with a note of sarcasm, but there was also a lot of truth behind it.

We pulled apart and looked at Jake in unison who lost his balance and ate snow for dinner. We heard a howl of laughter and realized Jared was responsible.

“You put on a show today.” Brandon suddenly brought up.

“We wanted to make a point that we are good enough to be given a chance and earn some common courtesy.” I expressed my annoyance with a dry tone.

“Yeah, I saw what you meant the other day. We wanted to arrive earlier, but our bus arrived late at the airport and some of the guys took their time getting to their rooms.” He explained.

“How’s the arm? That was quite a hit you took.” He noted, gesturing towards my elbow.

“I’ll live,” I assured him and hid behind his frame when I saw a snowball flying towards us.

Brandon grumbled in annoyance—bending forward to bring the snow together into a ball and throwing Jake with it.

I was right in the middle of their war and by the time we were over with throwing each other with snow, we decided to call it a day. We hitched a ride with them on their bus back to the lodge where they stayed a while with us—roasting marshmallows and playing poker.

I was sitting snuggled up beside Brandon, using his body heat to warm myself while he was roasting our marshmallows.

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