Page 144 of Three Pucks and a Baby

And then there he was.

He still appeared dazed from his hit as he stood on the outer ring of players. Since he couldn’t get to me, I decided to get to him. As I pushed and shoved my way through my teammates, I didn’t stop until I reached him.

“Are you in pain?”

“Not really.”

“Then why the hell are you crying?”

He laughed. “Because I’m so fucking happy for you!”

At that moment, I didn’t care about anything but the two of us. I threw my arms around him, hugging him tight. As my lips hovered against his ear, I said, “I love you.”

He jerked back to stare wide-eyed at me. With a playful roll of my eyes, I said, “Yeah, you heard me say it within hearing distance of our teammates.”

He grinned. “I love you, too.”

“You fucking better.”

“Come on, let’s go get a feel of that trophy,” Bennett suggested.

“Works for me.”

The next half hour was a blur with the team’s trophy presentation. While it was amazing sharing it with my teammates, nothing could compare when they called my name for winning the Most Outstanding Player award. I was so overwhelmed I thought my heart was going to explode right out of my chest.

While I had Bennett and Grayson with me, my gaze went to the stands where Vivian was. She, along with my parents, had moved down to the edge of the ice. Raising his fist in the air, my father pumped it at me.

I’d never seen such pride reflected on his face. Or my mother’s for that matter. Although it was euphoric, I knew it would be erased as he discovered my feelings for Bennett as well as my relationship with Vivian.

Their love and pride were conditional, and it hurt like a bitch.

My attention swept to the reporters who had made their way onto the ice. After fielding questions, I headed back to the locker room. Champagne started being sprayed in my face the minute I entered the door.

Grabbing a towel, I dried my face. “Novak, come over here,” Coach Murano bellowed. I made my way through the celebratory melee to a room off the main locker room. A podium stood at the front, and a group of reporters stood in the back.

For a moment, I froze. Coach patted me on the back. “These guys have some questions for the Most Outstanding Player award winner,” he informed me with a grin.

I laughed. “I’m happy to answer them.”

After stepping up to the podium, I pointed to one of the reporters. “Go ahead.”

“Theo, with that last shot, most goalies would’ve naturally gone left. What made you change up?”

“Just a little voice in my head I’ve learned to trust over the years.”

The reporter smiled. “I’d say it did you well.”

“Thanks. I like to think so.

“After tonight’s impressive performance, I think we can all say your NHL call-up is guaranteed.”

I fought the cocky smirk itching to curve on my lips. While I wanted to say that unless the scouts had shit for brains, then hell yes, I was getting drafted for next year. But since reputation was such a huge part of it, I tempered myself.

Giving them my best humble smile, I replied, “I thank you for the compliment, but I know from the past four years there are no guarantees when it comes to placement in the NHL. However, I would be honored if the hard work of my teammates tonight helped to solidify my place there.”

When I cut my eyes over to Grayson, he mimed jerking off on his stick to signify the absolute bullshit I was spewing. His lewd gesture earned him a smack on the back of the head from Bennie. I bit down on my lip to keep from laughing.

I continued fielding question after question. Just before they were going to go to Coach Murano, I pointed to a final reporter. “Yes. What’s your question?”

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