Page 96 of Power Play

“Thanks, guys.” I groan when I finally stand on two feet. My legs almost give out on me again, but Grant loops an arm around my left side. Hudson loops an arm around my right, steadying me just like I steadied them for the last sixty grueling minutes. “I’m going to need at least twenty minutes in the shower. Might need someone to wash my ass. My legs are shot.”

“I love the fuck out of you, GK, but I draw the line at ass washing.” Grant wrinkles his nose. “Maybe in seventy years.”

“God, I hope I’m dead by then.”

We slowly skate over to the bench where the rest of my teammates greet me. I exchange handshakes with all of them, sheepishly waving to the crowd after the PA announcer lets the arena know I just broke the all-time save record. The referee hands me the puck that sealed the deal, and I’m overcome with a wave of emotion I so rarely experience.

I skate off the ice as fast as my exhausted legs will allow, not wanting anyone to see me like this: vulnerable. Worn out. On the verge of crying because I’ve been playing hockey for goddamnyearsand I’ve never had my name on anything.

I dip my head and walk down the tunnel toward the visitors’ locker room, hoping to escape before the media starts to hound me. I know Coach is going to ask me to talk to reporters and I’m going to write another check and pay the fucking fine, wanting to keep this moment untainted from whatever they might try to ask.

Before I can make it too far, Piper falls in step next to me.

“I’m not going to hound you for an interview,” she says, her short legs working double time to keep up with me. “Maverick has that covered.”

“Good.”

“Hey.” She touches my elbow, and I stop. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I pull off my helmet and scrub a hand over my face. “I’m just—” I gesture vaguely around me, trying to find the right words—“I don’t know.”

“Oh, Liam. I’m so proud of you.” She launches herself at me in a hug, holding me tight. I rest my chin on her head and exhale, cradling the back of her neck awkwardly with my glove. “It’s okay to be emotional. You did something incredible.”

“Thanks.” I clear my throat. “I’m proud of me too.”

“You don’t owe anyone a conversation.” Piper pulls away and touches my cheek. She doesn’t show any sign of being bothered that her outfit is now covered in my sweat and stench, and that almost makes me emotional too. “Forget the media. Forget reporters. You take this moment however you want. It’syours, not anyone else’s. The day you do decide to talk about it though, I better be first in line for an interview.”

“I promise you will be, Pipsqueak.” I chuckle. “I know we said we were going to have a low-key night, but I think this changes things. The guys aren’t going to let me hide. Add in the whole Maverick and Emmy thing, and I’ll be shocked if I can sneak back to my room before sunrise.”

“What do you mean the whole Maverick and Emmy thing?”

“You didn’t hear? They’re eloping.”

“What?” she almost screeches. “Are you serious?”

“Maverick’s been playing with the rings in his skate all night.”

“Of course he has. He’s such a romantic.” Piper huffs and puts her hands on her hips. “That woman has some explaining to do.” She turns back to the stands but stops halfway up the tunnel. “We’ll see each other tonight, right?”

“Why? You need something from me, Piper?”

Her eyes rake over my jersey and pads. Color invades her cheeks, and I wonder what she’s thinking.

“A couple somethings. Think you can lend a hand?” she asks.

“Always willing to help.” The guys start to make their way into the tunnel, and the noise amplifies. Someone has a bottle of champagne, and I have no fucking clue where they got it. “See you soon, Pipsqueak.”

“I really am proud of you, Liam,” she says.

From her, it means more than the damn record itself.

TWENTY-SIX

PIPER

I can’t makeit to the stands to question my best friend about her surprise wedding because the rest of the team comes barreling down the tunnel holding a cooler of Gatorade and a bottle of champagne. I know what’s going to happen before poor Liam does, and as he turns around, the bucket of orange liquid gets dumped on his head.

I wait, wondering how he’s going to react. I’m surprised when he wipes his eyes and lets out a loud laugh. That spurs the guys on, and they erupt in cheers.

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