Page 48 of Netting the Goalie

She seemed distant.Like she was pulling away.

Fuck.

“Be there in a minute,” I shouted back and watched Novak nod before disappearing out the door.

I didn’t know what Coach wanted but the trade deadline had passed so I didn’t figure I was going anywhere.Especially not after tonight’s game.I’d been in the zone.Focused.Prepared.I’d lived up to my nickname, Brick Wall.

I’d already taken a shower so I only needed to pull on my clothes and shove my wet hair out of my face when I walked to the office.

And froze in the doorway when I saw Mark Arrons, the team’s GM, in addition to the coach.

“Shane.Come in.”Coach motioned me forward.“Close the door.”

I followed orders without a word but my heart pounded against my ribs.“Hey.What’s up?”

When Mark started to smile, I began to breathe again.

“Just got off the phone with Coach Angstadt.You need to be in Philly tomorrow morning.Gragnani’s hurt.You’re backing up Stanton in tomorrow’s game.Congratulations, Shane.”

Two thoughts flashed through my head.

Holy shitwas the first.

This was the call I’d been dreaming about since I’d been old enough to know what the NHL was.

The second…Fuck, I don’t want to leave my team.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I took Mark’s hand then shook Coach Scott’s.

“Thank you.Do you know how long I’ll be up?”

Coach started to grin.“Honestly, I don’t know.I only know Gragnani’s injury is lower body.You could be up for one game, you could be up for a few weeks.No way to know.”

Weeks?Shit.“Yes, sir.”

“You’ll probably be riding the bench the entire time but take it all in.Listen.Learn.Watch.Even if you don’t get to play, it’s a chance to show your commitment.When you come back, I expect you to be that much better.Good luck.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Coach clapped me on the shoulder.“Now go out and celebrate.You played a damn good game tonight.Just don’t be late for morning skate.”

Bliss

I knewby the look on Shane’s face.Something had changed.

I hadn’t seen him for two weeks and I tried to tell myself it hadn’t mattered.

Liar.

Swallowing hard, I sucked in a breath and forced a smile.

When he reached for me in the arena hall, I went into his arms immediately, hugging him tight before stepping away.

And if he didn’t release me right away… Well, I had to be wrong.

“You were amazing tonight.Congratulations.”

“Thanks.I felt…pretty damn good tonight.”

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