Page 70 of One Pucking Destiny

She closes her eyes and holds her belly.

“Mom. You need to go to the hospital. I’ll go with you.”

“No! I’m staying. I can make it another twenty minutes.”

I huff out a breath. “That’s with no stops or overtime. You know we’re currently tied with Vancouver, right?”

“I can do this. Labor takes hours and hours. Just please tell Beckett where I am. He’ll worry when he doesn’t see me, and I don’t want it to affect his game.”

“Okay, then I’m coming back up here and sitting with you, and if a baby’s head pops out between your legs, I’m taking you in.”

“Deal.”

I run back to our seats and let the Feldmores know what’s going on. Iris tells me to go be with my mom, and she’ll let Beckett know we’re in the VIP box. She promises to run with the swollen feet story and leave out the labor part.

Rejoining my mom in the box, she does a double take when she notices Bash’s jersey number across my chest. “Why are you wearing Bash’s jersey?”

I look down at my attire with a look of indifference. “Oh, I didn’t really even think about the number. I forgot all my Cranes clothing in my apartment, so I picked one up in the store downstairs before the game started. I just grabbed the first jersey in my size.”

“Oh, okay.” She seems to buy it.

I intend to tell her about my new relationship, but she has more important things on her mind, like not turning this VIP box into a delivery room. With the nervous glances the other occupants keep throwing her way, I know they’d also appreciate that.

This game has turned into a punching bag for my heart. I’m torn between worrying about my mother, who literally screams into a pillow every couple of minutes, and watching Bash in awe of how he movesacross the ice. How did I never realize how insanely sexy hockey players are?

Three minutes left in the game, and we’re still tied, two to two. It’s been a stressful back-and-forth game with both opponents equally matched with talented players.

“If this goes into overtime, I may die,” my mom cries out. My face morphs into one of horror. “It’s a joke, my love.”

I roll my eyes. “Not a funny one, Ma.”

Two minutes left.

“Come on!” Mom and I cheer in unison.

One minute left.

“Please, sweet baby Jesus. Come on, baby!” my mom screams.

I steeple my hands in front of my face, praying for Bash and his team to win this.

Thirty seconds left.

The Cranes have possession. Cade races down the ice with a Vancouver player by his side. Bash breaks free of his defender and rushes the man on Cade, slowing him down just enough to give Cade an opening. His stick smacks the puck, and it slices in the air toward Beckett, who has a defender blocking him. Beckett turns toward the boards, and faster than I’ve seen anyone skate, he spins around his defender. Shards of ice fly around him as he circles theVancouver player until he’s between him and the puck.

Beckett stops the moving puck with his stick and, without a moment’s hesitation, slaps the puck toward the Vancouver goal. Halko, the goalie, lunges toward the corner of the net, his gloves missing the puck as it whips by and hits the back of the net.

The buzzer sounds, and the stadium explodes.

I scream in celebration, tears streaming down my face. Bash shoots a quick look up to the box, and my heart rejoices with his. He looks happier than anyone in the world. Mom and I jump up and down, hugging one another as tears fall. The roar of the crowd is so loud the stadium vibrates. The Cranes rush on the ice and fall over one another in a giant huddle of celebration.

I can’t wait to get to Bash and throw my arms around him. I want to kiss him until we both lose our breath. I’ve honestly never felt this much love toward another person, and it physically hurts to be away from him. Now that I’ve allowed the walls to fall and my heart to feel, I’m never going back. I’ll never get enough of this feeling. I’ll chase it for the rest of my life. Thankfully, I won’t have to run far because Bash will be there every time. There’s not a doubt in my mind.

My mom groans loudly.

“Are you okay?” I pull my attention away from the celebration on the ice.

She’s crying hysterically and holding her belly with a huge smile on her face. “Never better!”

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