Page 61 of Soulmates and Slapshots
The energy in the locker room is electric. There are high fives flying, laughter, and an energy that only happens with a win like tonight’s. I can’t stop smiling, and for the first time in a while, I feel a little lighter.
Coach Hauser steps into the middle of the locker room, clapping his hands trying to get the attention of a team who just had their best game of the season so far.
“Quiet down,” he calls, firm but energized. “Listen up. This is important.”
The noise fades as we all try to contain our excitement.
“I’ve been waiting for tonight,” he exclaims, his voice full of emotion. A grin lighting up his face. “Lennox, Tremblay,Smith—every one of you showed up tonight. This is the team I knew we could be. This is the heart of the Ice Breakers.”
A roar erupts followed by cheering, fist bumps, even a helmet tossed in the air. I let the feeling wash over me, my pulse still pounding. We needed this win.Ineeded this win.
But more than the result on the scoreboard—I needed to rememberwhyI’m here. And that I earned this spot. I feel like I finally did that tonight.
Coach’s voice cuts through the noise again, louder this time. “If we can carry this same fire through the rest of the season, nothing can stop us. I’m proud to be your coach. And proud of all of you and how you came together as a team.
His words repeat in my mind over and over. For the first time in a while, there’s a sense of peace. I know it’s only one game and we still have many more ahead. But this win is the kind that shifts everything. It quiets the doubts and lights the fire that’s been dwindling.
Later, as I leave the locker room, Fiona is waiting in the hallway, exactly where I hoped she’d be. She beams the moment she sees me, her smile wide.
“How about that game?” I say, unable to stop the grin stretching across my face.
“Fantastic,” she replies. “Not that I’m surprised. Iknewit would happen. And your assists were perfect—well done.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Wow. It sounds like someone’s been studying hockey terms.”
She shrugs. “Well, while I was researching the Blue Rock Thrush, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on my hockey knowledge too.”
“Smart move,” I say, dropping my duffle bag on the floor. I don’t waste any time pulling her into my arms, holding herclose. She buries her face into my neck, and I inhale deeply, once again committing the scent of her hair to my memory. I don’t want to forget this moment.
“Thanks for being here,” I murmur when we pull apart, our faces still only inches apart.
She leans her head to the side. “Where else would I be? I’m a die-hard Ice Breakers fan now. Just like you predicted when we met.”
“We have the best fans,” I say meaningfully.
“So do you have big plans tonight?” she asks. “Is the team celebrating together?”
I shake my head. “Nope. I think most of the guys are doing their own thing.”
Some of my teammates have made their own meaningful connections lately. Maybe Mac was right—thereis something in the air here in Maple Falls.
She takes my hands in hers. “Want to go to Shirley May’s?”
I smile. “I’d love to.”
She doesn’t mention the job offer or the move. And that’s okay. Right now, all I want to do is enjoy the rest of this evening with her.
CHAPTER 20
FIONA
Istare at my phone, frozen in place, unable to move a muscle. My heart is pounding in my chest and my thoughts are swirling, trying to process what just happened.Is this real?
I did it. I accepted the job offer from AirWinds Publishing.
It was such an incredible opportunity, I couldn’t say no. But that’s not the reason I’m sitting here in total disbelief. Everything I was planning just shifted in a matter of a few minutes.
I'm not going back to New York—at least not for good. But I will be returning to pack up my things for the cross-country move to Maple Falls. This little town somehow feels more like home than the city ever did.
