Page 29 of Face Off
I’ve played hundreds games since graduating college and god knows how many before that, but this is the most important one.
This one dictates my future as a professional hockey player, and as someone who’s never imagined my adult life without the sport, it needs to go perfectly.
It’s been a frenzy since I signed on Monday. Every time I log into social media, I have more and more followers. I’m pushing a quarter of a million on Instagram, and overwhelmed is an understatement.
Messages and comments flood in from people who are cheering me on and asking where they can purchase my jersey.Good luckandmake us proud.
For every comment of support, though, there are a dozen hoping I fail.
She won’t last a month.
Can’t wait to see her cry LMAO
Man, get this shit off my television.
What happens when she gets a cramp? Is she going to be out a week?
#FreeMaverickMiller
I screenshotted a handful of them and posted them on the wall in my locker room, right where I can see them when I dress every night.
I’ve always wanted to silence the haters, but I really want to prove the internet trolls wrong.
I want to play so well they come crawling back with their tail between their legs. I want them to be so embarrassed they beg for forgiveness.
But I’ll never give it to them.
I’m not doing this only for myself. It’s for all the girls out there who have ever been told they can’t. That they’re not good enough, and they’llneverbe good enough, so why bother trying?
It’s a giantfuck youto anyone who’s ever made us feel two inches tall—in sports, in life, in a relationship—because we deserve so much more.
My phone buzzes, and I glance down. I usually ignore my devices this close to puck drop so I can go through my pregame warmups without any distractions, but Grady’s name pops up for a FaceTime call. A pep talk from my best friend is exactly what I need right now.
“There’s my star,” he says, and his face takes up the whole frame. Light brown hair, green eyes that match mine, and a smile that’s nothing but kind, it feels like he’s in the room with me. “Look at you in your uniform.”
I prop the phone against the mirror and take a few steps back, spinning so he can see the full jersey and my name on the back. “This is the first time since this whirlwind started that I feel very, very legit.”
“Signing a million-dollar contract didn’t do it for you?” Grady teases, and I stick out my tongue. “We’re in Duluth tonight, and I had the hotel set up a projector in the conference room so the guys and I can have a watch party.”
“I doubt I’m going to play very much. I’m still learning the lines, and Coach said he’s going to gradually work me in.”
“Who gives a shit? You’re going to be in an NHL game, Emmy. We want to cheer you on, no matter if it’s ten seconds or ten minutes of ice time.”
My heart swells three sizes with his support. “You’re too good to me, Grady. How’s everything going in San Diego? I saw you scored a hat trick two nights ago.”
“First one of my career.” He grins proudly and sits back in his hotel room chair. “Things are good. We’re still adjusting to you not being here, but we’ll figure it out. How are the Stars treating you? Do you miss us?”
“You know I miss you all. The guys are nice. There’s a lot of youth on the team, and sometimes I feel really freaking old when they start talking.”
“You’re thirty, Emmy, not two hundred.”
“Yeah, I know. Hudson Hayes is my favorite. He reminds me so much of you.”
“I swear to god if I get replaced, I’ll raise hell,” Grady says. “He might be taller than me, but I could take him.”
“You could. It also helps that he’s the nicest man in the world, and he probably wouldn’t hit you even if you hit him first,” I say.
“What about Prince Charming? I heard him stick up for you during your press conference.”
