Page 116 of Captain's Claim

"What's gotten into him?" Natalie asks, wide-eyed. "I've never seen him play like this."

I shake my head, still puzzled by his earlier intensity. Why was he so fixated on Section 114?

Blake continues his rampage through the second period. Another assist. A short-handed goal that brings the crowd to their feet. He's everywhere at once, leaving destruction in his wake.

By the third period, New York looks shell-shocked. The score climbs to 4-0 as Blake sets up Logan for a one-timer that nearly tears through the net, and the party has already started.

Eli leaps onto his chair, fist-pumping in the air. His tie has come completely undone, and there's definitely some whiskey sloshed down his dress shirt.

"We're going to the playoffs, baby!" He grabs Big Mike in a bear hug that nearly topples them both. "My boys are going all the way!"

"Eli, get down before you break something!" Natalie tries to sound stern, but she's laughing too hard.

I catch Blake's eye down on the ice. He winks, and my heart swells. God, I love this crazy hockey family.

The final seconds tick down and the arena explodes. Green and white confetti rains from the ceiling as the playoff spot is secured. Mia grabs my arm, jumping and screaming while Natalie hugs us both.

I press my hand against the glass, watching Blake raise his stick to the roaring crowd. Pride and relief flood through me. He actually did it. The Iron Ridge Icehawks are playoff-bound.

The team piles onto Blake in a massive group hug, their helmets knocking together as they jump and cheer. Connor leaps onto Blake's back while Ryder and Logan sandwich him from both sides.

The whole stadium feels like it might explode from the sheer volume of celebration.

"MAD DOG! MAD DOG!"

The chant ripples through eighteen thousand voices. Blake's gonna hate that.

Green and white streamers rain down, catching in players' skates as they circle the ice. You'd think we'd just won the Stanley Cup instead of clinching a playoff spot.

But then Blake breaks free from the pile, skidding to a sudden halt. His head snaps up, eyes locking onto me through the glass. Something in his expression shifts, transforms into pure determination. Like he's about to do something monumental.

My heart stutters as he points to me and curls his hand, gesturing for me to come down to the ice.

I blink. Wait. What?

"Go!" Natalie shoves me toward the stairs while Mia practically pushes me out of my seat.

"Your man wants you!" They propel me forward with surprising strength.

I stumble down the stairs, my mind whirling, only to crash straight into Eli. He grips my shoulders, whiskey fumes rolling off him.

"You ready for forever, kid?"

My breath catches. "What?"

He just smirks, eyes twinkling. "I knew that boy would make me proud one day. Now go."

I stumble forward, my mind racing. What the hell is Blake doing?

The moment my heel touches the ice, the crowd's volume doubles. Blake skates toward me, his expression dead serious. There's a microphone in his hand.

What is he doing? We were supposed to be stopping all this media attention. This is definitely going viral.

But do I even care?

Yes. Because I love him. I love him so damn much it hurts.

And I don't want to go back to that horrible place we just escaped from.

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