Page 47 of Pucking Secret

As we skate to the bench, I glance up at the stands again. Millie is on her feet, clapping furiously, her face shining with joy. Stacey is up and cheering as well, her professional facade slipping in the face of the stadium’s energy and celebration. I smile at both of them before zooming down the tunnel with my team.

In the locker room, the mood is just as ecstatic.

“That was a hell of a shot!” Jensen exclaims, pounding my shoulder. “Way to make an impression during your first game, man!”

“Thanks,” I chuckle, playing it cool. Inside, I’m so relieved I’m shaking.

“Fucking fantastic, dude!” Carson declares.

“You killed it, canuck,” Wilder agrees, as he moves past us.

“You went full-on Super Saiyan out there, dude!” Zander exclaims, clapping me on the shoulder.

Jayce high-fives me. “You’re a cold-blooded menace on the ice. I love it.”

I’m trying not to let all this praise go to my head, but it’s not easy. I feel incredible. Like I could do anything—walk on water, leap tall buildings, or even drive the original Rainbow Road inMario Cartwithout falling off once.

The high of the win is still buzzing through me as I finish getting cleaned up and make my way out of the locker room. My body’s tired, but it’s the good kind of tired. The kind that comes from giving everything you’ve got and knowing it paid off.

I barely have time to take a breath before a tiny blur of red hair and excitement barrels into me.

“Owen! Owen!”

Millie flings her little arms around my waist and looks up at me with wide, shining eyes.

“You were so amazing!” she gushes, her words tumbling out so quickly I can barely keep up. “The way you skated and scored that goal! But you know… it could still be better.”

I laugh. “Better, huh? What would you change, Coach?”

She scrunches up her face in mock concentration. “Maybe spin around when you score next time. Or jump! That’d look so cool!”

I scoop her up, and she keeps rambling on about trick shots and cool moves as Stacey strolls up behind her. Stacey’s lips are pressed together, but I catch the faintest flicker of a smile before she clenches her jaw like she’s trying to hold it back.

Before I can even think about what it means, Millie tugs on my sleeve, demanding my attention again.

“Are you gonna come to my ice skating show?” she asks. “It’s next Friday, and I’ve been practicing so hard!”

How can I say no to those big eyes and that eager expression?

I grin. “Of course, I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Millie squeals, throwing her arms around my neck in a tight hug before Stacey steps forward, gently pulling her back.

“Okay, Millie, time to head home,” Stacey says softly. “Lilah’s waiting for you.”

Millie pouts but gives me one last hug before running off to join her pink-haired babysitter, who’s standing a little way down the corridor. Millie turns back to wave at me one last time before Lilah takes her hand and the two skip away together.

Once she’s gone, the air between Stacey and me shifts. She steps closer. Her arms are crossed, and her brow is furrowed.

“Can we talk?” she asks.

“Of course,” I reply, surprised.

She hesitates, her eyes darting down the hallway. “Not here, though.”

“Fair enough. How about we grab some food? I’m starving, and you know I’ve never been great at thinking on an empty stomach.”

The corner of her mouth twitches, and I see a flash of the girl I knew in high school. The one who was always quick to smile and laugh. Who would gaze up at me like I was her whole world.

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