Page 110 of Unmasking Love
I think back to how the girls have welcomed me and included me whenever I allow them to and I think he’s right.
“Now, that includes you. But, it’s okay to admit you’d rather sit along the glass near me than up in the cushy family suite with all of them.”
I laugh gently and he captures my chin in his palm. Aiden presses a featherlight kiss to my lips and I feel its effects all the way to my toes. He carries me to the bed and we settle in for a pregame nap.
Chapter 32
Aiden
Play Time
HavingHarperontheroad with me is energizing. My pregame nap was the soundest I’ve ever had with her in my arms. But it was painful to leave for the arena on the team bus. She woke up feeling better but I could still see the wounded younger version of her hiding just under the surface.
While my body feels refreshed it doesn’t look like the rest of the team is feeling the same. Not helping our energy levels is the fact that we are in a slump.
One loss is nothing, two sucks, three is bad luck but four or more is a slump. I keep waiting for Coach to make the call to switch things in net but it hasn't come yet.
It's the middle of the second period, we're down two to one. A few shitty calls have been made against us and we're defending a power play right now.
I watch as the guys maintain their zones. As they defend the area in front of the net. The puck sails from one side of the rink to the other at the blue line and the defensemen there holds it while his guys circle around. He pulls back for a slapshot from the point and from my angle I can see the path for the puck. He's probably hoping for a deflection or for one of his teammates to shove in a loose puck on the rebound.
But Gavin sees it too and I watch as his eyes zero in on the movements.
He takes the shot and the puck flies towards the net. It's about knee high but Gavin tracks it the entire way. He doesn't get a clean grab on it so there is a rebound chance and a scrum starts in front of the net.
Gavin is on his belly and I've lost sight of the puck. Players are piling around and then suddenly Felix whips it down to the other end earning the team a line change as they hustle to the bench.
But Gavin doesn't get up. He reaches up and pulls his mask off which stops play and will probably earn us a delay of game penalty.
I stand along with the rest of the team and the training staff runs out onto the ice.
They crowd him and I can't tell what is going on but I don't get to find out because Luke hands me my mask, mit, and stick and I head out onto the ice to replace Gavin.
Breath in.
Focus.
Follow the puck.
Breathe out.
Focus.
Stop the puck.
We are assessed a delay of game so it's five on three as I take the net. I get into position for the faceoff and as soon as the whistle blows my world goes quiet.
All I see is the puck and the player who is handling it. I watch as they rain shots down on us in this short window of extra advantage.
The first penalty expires and we get Bryson back on the ice. The puck deflects down to my feet and I flick it up the ice to Bryson as he leaves the penalty box. He breaks away across our blue line and with a quick deke he crosses over and flicks the puck into the back of the net.
The crowd goes quiet and the boys celebrate the short handed goal.
I get a fist bump from Bryson and Felix before they circle up for the face off. Tampa wins the puck and they still have a five on four advantage. They move the puck quickly around the zone and behind the net. An instant laterthe arena erupts when they score on their power play because of a nasty double deflection off a player in front and then the nob of my stick.
I turn and take a drink and review the play in my head. There really wasn't anything I could have done differently. Sometimes that happens. Pucks get past you. Shake it off and regroup.
Breath in.
