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“Let’s get you some food before this gets out of hand.”

“Good idea. We don’t need another meal wasting away in the microwave.”

She squeaked when he smacked her ass as she went to the kitchen, got her grain bowl, then returned and settled in beside Taylor on the couch.

Nothing had ever felt this right in her entire life. She belonged here with him, and the thought that he agreed settled deep in her.

He loved her. She wasn’t wrong this time.

The grin was permanently etched on her face, and she thought it just might stay that way forever.

36

Taylor

Taylor made his way to the arena early, with a little pep in his step. Alice had left a little before he did because the social media team was meeting before the game. Things was a little different from his usual game day. He had it down to a carefully choreographed dance. If anyone would have asked him before Alice what would have happened if someone altered his schedule, he would have told you terrible things would happen. But somehow, Alice made it okay. He could tell she respected his schedule and would let him keep it if he needed to, but she made it better.

Conner McPhee was the first one in the locker room, because he was always the first one in the locker room.

“How’s it going, man?” Conner greeted.

“Good.”

“You ready for this game?” Conner asked seriously.

“Yeah, I’m ready.”

“Good, because Florida cannot beat us again,” Conner said as he sat, checked his gear, and got ready.

This game was important. They had lost in playoffs last year to Florida, and that was after one of their players had already taken out Wes Darling with a season ending injury. He was back this year, and he and Conner were on fire. They had it in them to go all the way this year. They just needed to kick Florida’s ass, but Taylor had been studying Florida’s game play, and he was ready.

He popped in his earbuds, launched his pregame playlist, and got ready. Before he knew it, he was standing on the ice, listening to the national anthem. It was go time, and he hadn’t felt this in the zone in a while.

Conner won the face-off and Cash got a hold of the puck and quickly passed it to Wes and the game was going. Taylor’s focus found the puck and the players on the ice. His first shift ended still 0–0, but he could feel the buzz. It was like he was floating above the game, calm and able to take it all in. He squirted water into his mouth, his eyes still glued to the puck.

“You’re back on.” Coach tapped Taylor’s and Cash’s shoulders.

They got up, ready for a change. He hopped over the wall and was instantly skating to his man.

Cash intercepted the puck, and they all headed down the ice. Murphy had the puck, and he passed it over to Wes, who took it behind the net.

Taylor was in front of the net when Wes skated by and tried to dump it in. The goalie managed to block it, but Taylor got the rebound. He chipped in the puck, putting it over the goalie’s blocker side.

The goal siren sounded, and Taylor’s team enveloped him in hugs and helmet taps. The first goal was theirs, and it set the tone.

It was the first intermission, and they were in the locker room. The score was 1–0, and the team was pumped.

“We got this!” Conner said, pumping everyone up. “Keep skating hard and shut them the fuck down.”

Coach Wagner made his way back. “That was a good period, boys. Good job taking away the middle. Keep it up.”

The team cheered as Taylor popped in his earbuds to quiet the noise. He’d had iron focus and was ready to go.

The next period was about halfway done, and the score was 1–1.

Cash and Taylor had just hopped the wall for a shift. As Florida was doing a change-up, Taylor got ahold of the puck. He took off down the ice and looked around, realizing it was just him and one of Florida’s forwards chasing him. On his breakaway, he crossed the blue line. The goalie had been weak blocker side all night, so he skated in close and faked blocker side. As the goalie went up to close the top, Taylor sent it in five-hole, taking the lead.

The goal sounded, and “Do You Believe in Magic” boomed over the loudspeakers. Everything hummed with rightness.

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