Page 59 of Hot Mic, Cold Ice

The guys are all pumped after the win, asking me to join them for a night out to celebrate. I can see the excitement in their eyes, but I am exhausted. I decline, offering some half-hearted excuse about needing rest. Instead, I head up to Ziggy’s hotel room, order some food, and crash on the bed. She isn’t here yet, too busy working and wrapping up the broadcast.

:I’ll be in your

hotel room when you are

Done.

When Ziggy finally arrives, I can tell she assumed that I was going to seduce her. As tempting as the thought always is, I am too drained for anything like that.

“Just hang out with me?” I ask her, pulling her onto the bed.

I turn on the TV to something mindless, and we watch TV until we both fall asleep. The comfort of her presence is more than enough for me. The next morning, I wake up spooning her, my erection pressing against her back, and for a moment, everything feels perfectly right. Her support means everything to me, and I couldn’t be luckier to have her by my side. We still have a long way to go, but with her and the team, I know we can bring home the Cup.

We take a tough hit, losing Game Two at home. The disappointment hangs in the air as we travel to New Jersey for Game Three, hoping to turn things around. All of us know we have to bring our A-game to the next games if we want to win. The journey to the Stanley Cup is far from over. The pressure is on, and I am determined to rise to the occasion and lead the Red Wolves to victory.

Chapter 43

Every aspect of the trip to New Jersey is tense as we all prepare for games three and four. Instead of putting distance between myself and Elliot like I thought I would, we only spend more time together—finding comfort in each other to make it through the mounting pressure. If I'm honest with myself, even though I don't want to be, we’ve been growing closer for months. I am just ignoring the elephant in the room. At the end of this Final Series, I will be seeking a transfer to national news and getting my happy ass back to New York City. Any pain and suffering caused by not seeing Elliot again will be worth it in the long run when I am living my dream.

For now, I push the consequences to the side and ride the emotional highs and lows of the playoffs. When everything becomes too intense, I can lean into Elliot and he does the same with me. Even though I know we shouldn't. Our bond only strengthens. So far, the highs have been high, but I have gotten a first-hand look at how low the lows can be during this finalstretch. Losing once is a blow to the guys’ confidence, but losing back-to-back is a real wakeup call to a potential reality where the Red Wolves don't bring home the Cup.

Game Three against the Reapers is a heartbreaker. The guys fight hard but ultimately lose in overtime. I watch rink-side, my heart aching for Elliot and the entire team. After spending this much time with them, they have become my friends. Friends that I want to see succeed. The locker room is somber afterward, the weight of the loss hanging heavy in the air. Elliot is visibly frustrated, but he keeps his composure. That can't be said for everyone. At one point, I thought Coach was going to snap on Oren. I heard him shouting in some combination of French, English, and maybe even a third language? I can't be sure.

After I'm done with the broadcast, I join the rest of the team's staff on the bus back to the hotel. It’s a quiet ride for everyone. Once we get back to the lobby, I send Elliot a text.

Ziggy:Do you want

company tonight?

:Yes. I'm hungry

and going to order food.

What do you want?

Ziggy:I'll grab us

something from the

restaurant next door

and bring it up. Don't

worry about ordering it.

Burgers?

:Sounds good.

:Thanks for

being here.

I put my phone up, focusing on getting our late-night burgers and fries and head upstairs to Elliot's room. I let myself into his room, finding Elliot laid out on the couch. He doesn't really react when I walk in. He seems somewhat in a trance, staring at a black TV screen. I walk to the mini fridge and grab two beers before setting our food on the coffee table in front of him. I settle in beside him and dig into my food. Elliot follows suit, and we eat in silence. I take a sip of beer before turning to him and watching him finish up his burger. He looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. His facial features are tired. There is a shade of darkness underneath his eyes that I've never seen before.

I set my beer on the coffee table and nuzzle closer to him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and pulling his big frame into my body. I can feel the exhale of his breath that he was holding leave his body as he leans into me. We stay there in silence for what feels like hours. After a long stretch of time passes, I hear him softly start to speak and then stop himself.

"I don't know how long I can keep doing this." Elliot says. His voice sounds full of defeat.

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