Page 46 of Crossing Lines

“For what?” I slid my gaze to him. I wasn’t impressive at all back there.

“I told him you were tough on the ice but humble and thoughtful in person and would be a good addition to their lineup.” He threw me a quick grin. “You know the scouts don’t only look at stats. They look at the man behind the stats too.”

“Yeah?” Dipping my head, I chuckled. Okay, so maybe I hadn’t been such an idiot back there. “Thanks, Coach. I never knew how much you cared.” I nudged him with my elbow.

“Don’t take it that far, Boehm. You still have to show him your tough but levelheaded side tonight.” He snickered.

We were tiedin the third period with a few minutes left. I sat on the bench, waiting for another round on the ice, holding my stick, ready to go. A slight smile curved my mouth. I was on fire tonight. I’d already gotten one goal and an assist, and I knew if Coach let me out there, I’d fucking dominate.

A tap hit my shoulder. “Boehm, you’re up. Make us proud.”

“Got it, Coach.” With a quick glance at Ryan, smiling back at me in his gray suit, I hopped over the boards and hit the ice.

Bransky had the puck, coddling it. His gaze cut to mine.

“Here, I’m open.” I skated toward him. RMU had yet to see me.

He shot the puck at me and took a hit into the boards by their D-man.

“Fuckers.” Slipping the puck into RMU’s defensive zone, I eyed their goalie, twitching and waiting for me.

“Boehm, the one, two.” A smirking Mason flew up on my left.

I knew exactly what he meant, crash the fucking net. With a quick nod, I tossed the puck at him and hightailed it for the crease, then twisted around.

Mason slapped a howitzer to my stick.

Angling my stick just so, the puck ducked right into the five-hole as the goalie dropped to the ice. The horn blew and the red light flashed over the goal. “Fuckin’ A!” I pumped my arms in the air.I did it! Two goals in one game.

The buzzer went off, signaling the end of the period.

“We won!” A round of laughter burst out of me as all the guys rushed me with bear hugs and pats on my back and helmet.

“Way to fucking go, Boehm.” Mason crushed me with his arms. “Have I told you how much I love you?” He cackled.

“Jesus, you idiot.” With a scoff, I slapped his helmet. “Love you too, bro.” We all skated off the ice, heads held high.

As I stopped at the opening in the boards, my gaze found Ryan’s, beaming back at me. God, I loved that man, and he’d just seen what I was made of. I’d make us work. I could do anything. I tapped the tip of my nose.

After a shower,the wrap-up meeting, and grabbing dinner at a nearby Chinese place, we all strolled into our hotel, still on a high from our win. Hopefully, tomorrow night would be more of the same.

“Boehm, you were impressive tonight.” Coach Patterson walked beside me.

“Yeah, well, I had to be.” My gaze caught on Ryan, walking ahead of me and between Archer and Tyler. I probably wouldn’t hear anything from Mr. Shannon for a while. Hopefully, I was still someone he was interested in.

“I’m sure the Leafs’ scout was impressed.” He patted my back.

“He won’t be watching me tomorrow night too, will he?” I glanced at Coach. I’d heard these guys were busy as hell and traveled to games all over.

“No, I think he was off to a game in Maryland tomorrow.” He tapped my arm and stopped. “Hey.”

I halted and peered at him. “Yeah?” Something was important.

“Don’t think you’ve got it in the bag. Keep doing great things out there, even when you know he’s not in the stands.” He quirked the edge of his lips. “He’ll still be looking at game footage.”

“Yeah, I know. Thanks, Coach. I’ll do my best.” I flicked my gaze to Ryan, now waiting for an elevator by himself. Shit, I still didn’t know what room number he had. “Anyway, see you tomorrow.” I jogged to Ryan and stood next to him, but I didn’t look at him as I said, “What floor you on?” I snuck a peek at him.

Dipping his head, he partially covered his mouth. “Third.”

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