Page 30 of Cross Checks

When the third period started, we were up by three goals and controlling possession of the puck. Victory was within reach, but we couldn’t lose our edge. I glanced at the clock and braced myself for one last push.

“Come on, Chase,” I muttered under my breath. “One more goal, and this one’s for Hank.”

With a sudden burst of speed, I deked the goalie, sending him sprawling onto the ice as I lifted the puck top shelf. The goal light flashed red, and the arena erupted in deafening cheers.

As I skated toward the bench, my teammates mobbed me with hugs and back slaps.

“Damn, man, you were a big part of that,” I called out to Jensen. “You fed me the puck, but my shot—that was for Hank.”

“Awesome, Taylor,” Jensen grinned. “You’re on fire tonight.”

The final seconds ticked down, and the game-ending buzzer echoed through the building. The final score was a decisive 5-1, and we’d done it. We enjoyed the sweet taste of victory in our first game back home in Cold Pines.

The crowd chanted, “Cougars! Cougars! Cougars!” I grinned as I pivoted in a full circle, taking in the raucous energy.

“Way to go, Cougars!” Jensen shouted as he clapped each of us on the back.

“Man, there’s no way I could have scored those goals without the rest of you guys,” I insisted. As I joined the rest of the team in taking a slow victory lap skating around the ice, I spotted Hank, his face beaming.

I raised my stick in his direction and touched my heart before nodding. He blew me a playful kiss, and I blushed despite trying to play it cool.

“Hey, Taylor, you’re getting a little misty-eyed,” Waller observed. “It’s just a game, bud. Let’s head to the locker room and continue the celebration.”

Despite its plain, unchanged appearance, the locker room buzzed with energy. My teammates huddled up, sharing their favorite moments of the game.

That pass from Jensen for the first goal, pure magic,” one of them noted.

“Taylor’s top-shelf goal was unreal,” another added.

I clapped Waller on the back. “Who needs massage chairs and smoothie bars? We’ve got each other, and that’s all that matters.”

“Still,” he insisted. “Would have been nice.”

While the celebration continued, Coach Z poked his head out of his office. He gestured in my direction, and I stepped up. “You want something, Coach?”

“I think somebody in here wants to see you.”

While the team continued their chatter, I slipped into the office. I’d only seen it a couple of times before. It wasn’t much bigger than a closet, packed with hockey memorabilia and stacks of paper with play diagrams and statistics.

My jaw dropped when I spotted Hank. “How’d you get…”

Coach Hoss followed behind me. “I spotted him in the crowd, and this is my good deed for the day.”

I hugged Hank and gave him a quick, fierce kiss.

“Whoa there, Romeo,” Coach Z chuckled. He gave Coach Hoss a knowing nod, and they both left to give Hank and me some privacy.

“Chase, you were amazing out there tonight, and I was so proud.” He rested his hands on my shoulders and gazed into my eyes. “My man, the star.”

“Thanks,” I mumbled, my cheeks flushing beet red at the praise.

We wrapped each other in a tight hug again, and Hank didn’t complain about my sweaty uniform. All that mattered was our connection.

“Let’s grab some food to celebrate,” Hank suggested.

“That sounds great,” I agreed and nuzzled my face against his neck. “For now, though, you’re all I need.”

When the buzz in the locker room died down, we finally left the office. I suggested Lou’s downtown, and Hank liked the idea, but we both knew the Cougars fans would be out in full force.

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