Page 146 of Beautiful Collide

I take a deep breath, steadying myself against any doubt that can creep in.

It’s complete chaos. But it’s also what I live for.

This is the moment. Make it count.

The puck drops into play, and everyone explodes into motion. I tear down the ice after Aiden. He’s ahead of me, skating like his life depends on it, and in all fairness, it does because the Vegas Aces defenders are also hot on his tail.

“Here,” I shout as I cut toward the net.

Aiden glances back, and with a flick of his wrist, sends the puck flying toward me. I receive the pass, and then I’m off, weaving past the Aces defender and firing it back to Aiden.

There’s no time to think and no place for error. We have practiced our whole lives for this moment.

Aiden doesn’t hesitate. He pulls back and takes the shot. The goalie reaches out, but he’s not fast enough.

The light flashes red.

The horn blares.

Holy fucking shit. Did we just—

And for a second, everything goes silent in my head.

Then everything comes rushing back as the crowd erupts.

We did it.

Again.

Holy fuck. We did.

Back-to-back. Holy shit. This is real.

I skate over to Aiden and grab him. “Hell, yeah!”

Everyone rushes together to celebrate. All my teammates.

I’m soon surrounded by a rush of hugs and shouts.

It’s a beautiful thing.

I see Mason and throw my arms around him, and then I find Dane, who actually smiles this year.

Dane’s happiness hits me harder than I expect. He’s a different person these days. Seeing him like this makes this victory even sweeter.

From there, everything is a blur.

Once in the locker room, it’s complete chaos.

“Back-to-back. Feels like I’m never gonna stop smiling,” Mason says, grinning ear to ear. I can’t help but laugh because I feel the same way. The only thing that will make this better is seeing Molly.

Soon.

Not soon enough.

Because as much as I’m desperate to be with her, I still have team business.

The press.

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