Page 31 of Nix
Nix leaped to his feet, shouting before banging his stick on the side of the boards.
“Yeah!” Laney yelled while waving his stick.
This was such an awesome game. In all the years that Nix had played hockey from the peewee leagues, through junior high, high school, college, and now professionally, there had never been a game like this.
Everything was perfect.
The team was meshing.
The feeling in the arena was electric.
Nix bounced on the bench as he waited for his turn.
In what seemed like forever, he finally got the tap to go in. Nix flew over the boards, heading right for the puck. He faked one way, went the other, forward, back, then stole the puck. He actually stole the puck from Crowly!
Crowly swung his stick at Nix, right at his ribs, but Nix was already moving, ignoring the pain. He was going to feel that one later. The refs should have called that as a penalty. Not that Nix planned on slowing down.
His linemates were with him. Skate by skate. Even. Calm.
The pass to his center was dead-on. The puck hit the tape as they skated forward. His center drew back then sent the puck right into the net!
“Yes!” Nix threw his arms up before he skated to his center and hugged him. That had been a beautiful shot and Nix was also very proud of his own pass.
Down by their net, Evan was banging his stick against the ice.
Nix turned and flashed Evan three fingers. He’d done it! Nix was totally getting his treats! Best reward system ever! Nix followed his teammates back to their bench. That was three goals for them with the Grinders putting up a big fat zero.
Back on the bench, Nix had to wait again.
Hockey was a long game, played in four shifts at a time for three periods. Nix had been broken-hearted when he’d been put on the fourth line. Aries had made first line as a rookie, but Nix hadn’t come close.
Nix wanted to be as good as his brother.
He wasn’t playing for the same team though. Nix’s team was filled with talented players that had already earned their spot. That was one of the reasons that he was the only rookie. The opportunity wasn’t the same.
Nix had been holding on to doubt until Evan had pointed out that while he might not be the lead goal scorer like Aries, Nix did have a place with his team. He belonged. And finally, Nix was feeling it. Nix was right where he was meant to be.
Shift change again and Nix was back on the ice.
He raced to the puck until the Grinders’ left wing passed it.
It was a battle.
Nix was sweating, panting, and had never been more alive! It fucking ruled!
He chased after the Grinders’ players as they all battled in front of the Florida net and Evan. Evan blocked a shot and then a rebound. He was on fire.
The hits became dirty. Nix was yanked off his feet as Crowly hooked his ankle with his stick. Nix scrambled to his knees but before he could get up, Nix saw Crowly push his own guy into Evan.
Evan shouted as two players landed on him.
Crowly smacked at the puck.
“Fucker!” Nix growled out. That was illegal as fuck. He jumped up and threw himself at Crowly, knocking the bigger man back.
Nix wasn’t known for his fighting skills. He was the smallest member of his team. People fought for him, not the other way around. It didn’t matter when Crowly had purposely crashed the net. Evan could be hurt! He dropped his stick and gloves, deciding that it was time to protect his goalie himself.
Nix swung his fist, connecting with Crowly’s jaw.
