Page 181 of Pucking Obsessed

Thirty seconds…

“Pass,” I mutter. “Just…”

Twenty…

I skate closer, wheeling around the left defenseman now. D’Angelo still has space.

Ten…

Grayson lifts his stick and hits the puck.

I hold my breath.

I want this so much that my chest hurts.

D’Angelo shoots immediately after he gets the pass. It’s brilliant, and the goalie barely sees it because it’s so fast.

It hits the back of the net a second before the buzzer.

I barely hear the explosion of joy from the crowd.

All my focus is on D’Angelo, as the players raise their sticks in triumph.

He’s standing on the ice, looking overwhelmed.

He’s done it.

He’s saved the Bay Rebels, and this town that relies on it. The fans don’t realize it but they’re chanting his name anyway.

I skate toward D’Angelo because I can see how hard he’s trying not to flinch, as the other players pat him on the back.

When our gazes meet, a smile slides onto my mouth. “You did it, Jude.”

“We did it.” D’Angelo smiles back, looking more settled.

“Even after Dildogate.”

When D’Angelo glances at Robyn, who is jumping up and down enthusiastically at the side of the rink, I know what he means without him needing to say a word.

Eden and him really are a lot alike.

Together, D’Angelo and I skate toward the boards.

Eden and Robyn notice and move to both rest their hands on the glass.

A deep contentment settles on my shoulders, which means more to me than the normal happiness of winning a game because I’m not used to it.

I’ve found my home and family.

They’re safe without me needing to be the center of attention or the star. I can support them. I can let down my own mask.

When D’Angelo raises his hand to the glass, he nods at Eden. He looks shocked. Then the tips of his ears redden.

I grin.

D’Angelo never forgets my brother.

At the same time, I lean my forehead against the glass, as Robyn does hers. Our breaths mist against it. I wish that I could feel it.

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