Page 97 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
“FUCK YES,” I scream, jumping up and down as the lights around the stadium flash and the fans in Vipers’ green and white go wild.
Kodie and Linc collide in a celebration before Kodie turns to us and does his standard celly dance.
It doesn’t matter that I’ve seen it more times than I can count over the years; I still love every second of it.
The game resumes and Utah quickly levels the score.
And that is how the game continues.
We hit the back of the net, and then only minutes later, they do the same, bringing us even again.
It’s a fantastic game, but equally as frustrating, because just when we think we’re going to steam ahead, they catch up.
We head toward the end of the third period tied. The puck drops and Utah claims it and races toward their goal.
Their fans are on their feet, shouting and screaming for them to get the win.
But then, out of nowhere, Monroe appears and steals the puck.
A roar of frustration erupts as I watch him fly down the left side of the ice and head toward Kodie.
He’s battling to get free, and at the very last minute, he breaks away—just in time for Monroe to pass him the puck. He spins and takes the shot with a second left on the clock.
My heart is in my throat. I swear every single Vipers fan around me sucks in a breath as the puck sails through the air.
And then it happens. It hits the back of the net and chaos erupts as the final whistle blows.
Kodie flies in front of us before he’s engulfed by every single Vipers player as they celebrate his last-minute goal.
They jostle him so much, his helmet falls off and he ends up on his back on the ice.
He’s laughing with a wide smile lighting up his face when he finally gets to his feet again—until he looks up and his eyes lock with mine.
His smile falters and his expression—hell, his entire demeanor—completely changes.
My heart sinks, hating that my presence is ruining what should be an epic moment for him.
“Shit,” Parker hisses next to me. Clearly, every single person around me is witnessing his unfiltered reaction to seeing me here.
“I need to leave,” I mutter, bending down to pick up my trash.
No sooner have I ripped my eyes away from Kodie does Parker reach for me. “Wait,” she shouts. “Look.”
With my heart in the pit of my stomach, I follow her command and look back at the ice.
Kodie’s eyes are still on me, but the shock has lessened.
“He’s…he’s smiling, Case. At you.”
My knees buckle.
Thankfully, I catch myself on the seat in front of me.
But by the time I’ve steadied myself, he’s gone.
“He wants you,” Parker states.
“It was shock,” I mutter, trying desperately not to obsess over how close he was to kissing me last weekend.
