Page 41 of Penalties and Proposals

Honestly, I want us to win, but it’s the moment that makes me realize I’ve got everything I need right here, with Willa.

Everyone scrambles to get into position as the buzzer sounds, and play resumes. Scotty is on fire, and it’s all I can do to keep up with him, although I make a great run at it. We’re tied at deuces all and it’s crazy-making, but the feeling in this arena right now matches what’s happening inside my body.

It’s all electric. It’s all happening. It’s all coming together.

“We’ve worked hard for this, Ice Breakers!” Coach Strickland shouts from the side. “Come on!”

In seconds, we’re all back at it, me dealing with one of the Jacks trying to slam me as hard as he can against the wall. I push back, staying focused, looking for an opening. But these guys are like honey buns from the farmers’ market … sticky. I can’t shake them.

We’ve got thirty seconds left, literally down to the wire, when Scotty gets a hold of the puck. I see him looking around forsomeone, anyone he can get it to, and Dan’s right there, ready. Scotty slaps it toward his mark, with Dan delivering. He takes it and flies down the ice, seeing an opening, and delivering the goal we need as the buzzer sounds.

The whole arena could probably combust with the energy and cacophony of sounds that erupts from everyone in the stands.

We did it. The Ice Breakers won.

Slamming my locker door closed, I take a big breath, starting to make my way into the green room reserved for our friends, families, and of course, VIPs. I’m conscious that even though I managed to run through a shower, I could still have some kind of stink on me.

“Not bad,” I murmur to myself after lifting my arm and giving it a generous sniff.

“You need to work on finding some friends.” Murray’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts as I spin around and find him leaning against the lockers, laughing at me. “Seriously. Has anyone ever told you that you talk to yourself a lot?”

“You’re the only person who has ever caught me,” I manage, snickering. “I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to say goodbye before we clear out.”

“Actually, I wanted you to meet someone,” he says, grinning wickedly as he nods toward the exit. I follow him out the door and into the hallway. Leaning against a wall is a petite older woman,dressed in an Ice Breakers jersey, and one that looks like it’s been signed by all of us. She has short hair and glasses she’s pushing up her nose as she nervously looks around. She appears to be unhappy until she sees Murray, at which point her whole face lights up.

“Mary-Ellen,” Murray says, taking her hand, “this is Noah. He’s the one I told about the crush I have on you.”

“Oh, stop it, Murray!” She giggles, smacking his chest playfully as she looks me up and down. “I didn’t believe him when he told me he liked me. Then he said you arranged for my ticket to come tonight. Is that true?”

Dipping my head, I nod. “Yes, ma’am.” As I smile her way, I’m hit with a wave of recognition. I can remember her being at our team table at Maple Fest.

“Well, I read about grand gestures in romance books all the time—in my book club, you know—but to be on the receiving end of one?” She leans her head on Murray’s shoulder. “Feels good.”

“She’s a fan of hockey after tonight,” Murray says with a grin. “Heck, I think anyone would be after seeing that game. What a night!”

Movement from over Murray’s shoulder pulls my attention. A gorgeous woman wearing my jersey stands, waiting for me.

“I’m glad you had a good time,” I say, slapping him on the back as I start to walk away. “If you’ll excuse me …”

Murray cuts his eyes to where I’m staring and he nudges his date. “C’mon, Mary-Ellen. We need to give these two a moment.”

I don’t see them leave. I only have eyes for one woman and one woman only.

“Hi,” she says, her voice hushed. “That was some game, Mr. Beaumont.”

“Yeah?” I lean against the wall, trying to be cool.

She chuckles. “It was good.”

I take a step toward her. “How good was it?”

“Good enough I may finally tell you where my other tattoos are,” she says with a wink.

I slip my finger into a belt loop of her jeans and tug her toward me as her arms snake their way around my neck. “Maybe I need to find a spot where it’s a little more private?”

Willa’s eyes, the ones that were gleeful only a moment before, suddenly cloud over. She nods her head toward something behind me I can’t see. “I vote for privacy, but you have a fan waiting.”

The sound of someone clearing their throat makes my stomach turn.

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