Page 108 of Scoring Position

Nico was still horrified when the puck dropped. He’d sort out this nightmare dinner plan later.

The third period was no easier than the first two.

Nico clenched his fists and leaned in with every shot on goal. Ella and his mother rubbed his shoulders and upper back during play stoppages. Nico glared balefully back.

Sweden scored at seven minutes in. Canada retaliated at nine.

At thirteen minutes, one of the Swedish players said something to Ryan at the faceoff, and Ryan grinned like a wolf. Nico knew that grin. Anderssen was going to be sorry.

Fifteen minutes in, Anderssen lost his temper and crosschecked Ryan hard enough for a penalty call. Ryan grinned the whole way to the bench.

Nico clenched his fists and leaned in to watch the power play. Nothing, nothing. Shift change. Granger and Ryan back on the ice. Nico held his breath when Granger went hard at the net, and groaned with the crowd when the puck hit the crossbar.

Then Ryan grabbed the rebound. It bounced off the goalie’s pads. He hacked at it, and—

The goal light went off.

4–3 for Canada and less than four minutes to go.

Nico sat on the edge of his seat for the rest of the game, his hands pressed to his mouth.

Sweden pulled their goalie, but Canada clung on, pushing and grasping, protecting the puck, trying to stall.

Ella grabbed Nico’s wrist, her grip so tight her knuckles were white, but Nico could barely spare the glance to see that. He kept his eyes focused on the ice so long as the puck was in play.

Right up until the final buzzer sounded and the Canadian team piled out onto the ice.

Nico slumped back, body filled with tension and relief. He didn’t know what to do with the buzzing underneath his skin.

“Fuck. He did it,” he breathed.

Ella laughed. “Yes, yes he did.”

Nico looked at her and for a moment didn’t know what to say. “I need to go see him.”

“I bet you do.” She waggled her eyebrows.

“Ella.”

“I know, I know. You just want to go be sappy and gross. It’s like you think I don’t know you.” She waved him away. “Go. I’ll find you afterwards. You owe me that post-win team celebration party. You promised to take me.”

“I know.”

On the ice, the players were shaking hands while officials prepared to hand out medals.

Nico took a moment to find Ryan. His helmet was off and his cheeks were so red he almost glowed, or maybe that was the million-dollar smile. He was breathtaking and beautiful and everything Nico wanted.

He turned to his mother, but she was already waving him away.

“Go. We will see you tomorrow.” She looked at him. “Or maybe we will wait until Tuesday. Papa and I can entertain ourselves for a couple of days.”

“Mama, I’m not going to—”

“We manage without you playing tour guide most of the year, actually. Go. Have fun being young and successful.”

Nico gave her a look, but he knew the smile he couldn’t repress was ruining it. He kissed her cheek goodbye and then waved to his father, who told him to have fun.

Nico beelined for the Canadian locker room.

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