Page 5 of The Pucking Player

As I help Fred into his jersey, I feel Sophie’s eyes on me again. It’s not the usual appreciative gaze I’m used to. This feels different, like she’s trying toseeme.

“You’re really good at this,” she says softly, helping Tommy with his jersey.

I shrug, aiming for casual. “They’re just jerseys.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Before I can deflect—my usual go-to when things get too real—Tommy pipes up. “Are you going to win the Cup this year?”

The innocent question lands heavier than it should. These kids, with their unwavering faith. Sometimes the weight of everyone’s expectations feels like it might crush me.

“We’re sure gonna try, buddy,” I tell him, forcing a confident grin.

But when I glance at Sophie, her green eyes are too perceptive, too knowing. She caught the crack in my armor, and something about the way she looks at me makes it clear she’s not fooled by the act.

“Liam’s the best player on the team,” Jack declares proudly. “He’s gonna score lots of goals.”

“No pressure or anything,” I joke, but the words feel thin.

Because that’s the thing about being the best—everyone expects you to stay that way. One slip, one wrong move, and it all comes crashing down. Just like watching Dad’s career end in a burning building or seeing Mom’s face when she thought we couldn’t afford cello lessons for my sister.

The weight of it presses down, threatening to pull me under.

“I think,” Sophie says, her voice cutting clean through the spiral in my head, “that Liam wants you to remember hockey is a team sport. Right?” She glances at me, her tone gentle but certain. “It’s not about being the best alone; it’s about making everyone around you better.”

I blink, surprised. Most people eat up the solo star narrative—the captain who carries the team on his back.

“Your dad teach you that?” I ask, aiming to lighten the moment.

“No.” Her smile is soft and disarming. “I learned it watching you play.”

And just like that, I take another hit. A clean, devastating blow straight to the chest. Because Sophie Novak doesn’t just see through my walls, she makes me want to tear them down myself.

Dangerous waters, O’Connor.

Before I can say something stupid, a nurse steps into the room, her expression warm as she kneels beside Jack. “Time to go back to your room, little man.”

Jack sighs dramatically, tugging on my sleeve, his big, hopeful eyes locking on mine. “Will you come back and visit us again?”

I crouch down to his level, feeling my heart swell. “How about this: you get well real soon, and then you come cheer us on at the Garden. You too, Fred and Tommy.”

His face lights up.

With one last round of hugs and high-fives, we say goodbye to the boys. “We’re counting on you to come watch us play,” I tell them, glancing over at Sophie as we step into the hallway. The soft light catches the waterfall of her hair, and I feel a rush of heat seep into my muscles.

I need to get this girl to go out with me.

As we make our way toward the next room, I catch Nate’s eye. “Hey, man. Cover for me? I need a minute with Sophie.”

He frowns, shaking his head like I’ve lost it. “Are you sure you want to go there, Captain? Coach will end you if he finds out you’re sniffing around his baby girl.”

“I know what Coach will do,” I reply, running a frustrated hand through my hair. “Just…help me out, will you? I need a few minutes alone with her to get her phone number.”

Nate lets out a long-suffering sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Dude, I get it, she’s beautiful. But you really think it’s worth the risk?”

I clap him on the shoulder, my grin widening. “Absolutely. I’ll handle Coach.”

He shakes his head, chuckling under his breath. “Alright, lover boy. I’ll do what I can to distract Emilia and Jess. But if Novak comes looking for you, I hadnothingto do with this. You’re on your own.”

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