Page 75 of Off the Ice

It was about pride. About proving that no matter what had been taken from them, they were still here.

When the final buzzer sounded, sealing a 5-2 win, the entire arena was on its feet. The sound was deafening, the energy electric.

I stood in the press section, my notebook tucked under my arm, watching as Logan skated to the center of the ice, tapping his stick against his shin guards in a small, familiar habit. His teammates swarmed him, Jaymie skating up behind him and smacking him on the helmet.

“Look at you, Bennett,” he said, smirking. “Back from the dead.”

Logan grinned, shoving him playfully. “You’re stuck with me, Prescott.”

Jaymie rolled his eyes, but I could see the truth in his expression—he was glad Logan was back.

And Logan?

He looked happy.

Not just relieved. Not just holding it together. Happy.

Then, suddenly, as if he sensed me watching, he turned.

Even from a distance, I felt it the second his eyes locked onto mine.

My breath caught.

Logan grinned, then started skating toward the bench, shoving the gate open. His gaze never left me as he raised a hand and motioned me down.

My stomach flipped.

He couldn’t be serious.

Beside me, I felt movement. I turned just as Mallory leaned in, her arms crossed over her chest, smirking like she already knew what was about to happen.

“Go,” she murmured.

I blinked. “Go where?”

Mallory lifted a brow. “Come on, Ava. He’s looking at you.”

I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering. Sure enough, Logan was still waiting, still motioning for me to come down. The crowd was starting to notice, heads turning in my direction, anticipation crackling in the air.

I hesitated. “Mallory..”

She rolled her eyes, nudging me forward. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

Mallory huffed a laugh. “Ava, stop thinking and go.”

I took a shaky breath, then, before I could talk myself out of it,s tepped forward. And the second my foot hit the ice, the entire arena erupted.

I hesitated, but the moment I took a step forward, the crowd caught on.

People were cheering. Jaymie skated by and whistled loudly, making Logan grin.

I sighed. “I swear to God, if this is some prank—”

But before I could finish, Logan grabbed my hand and pulled me onto the ice.

I let out a small gasp, nearly slipping in my boots, but his arms steadied me immediately.

“What are you doing?” I laughed, breathless.

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