Page 173 of Unraveling Rain
It’s a deep red and smells like alcohol. I down it in one big gulp, scrunching my face as the bitter flavor invades my mouth.
“Careful there, Rain,” Kristine says with a chuckle.
“It’s all good. I needed that. I’m going to lose my mind, and I’m not even playing.”
She smiles, and I pull her into a hug.
“I don’t know how you did this with Sam—and now with Xander. Oh my, what if our kids are athletes too? I’m going to need a new heart,” I say, flinging my arms to fan myself.
“You’ll get used to it. For me, it started with my dad. But the more I watched them play, the more I got to enjoy it and learn how to manage the anxiety,” Kristine says.
She takes my hand gently, her voice softening.
“Rain, dear. I wanted to talk to you before the game started. I just wanted to thank you for loving my boy the way you do.”
Her eyes water, and I immediately squeeze her hand.
“Seeing my son in a loving, healthy relationship has brought me more joy than I thought it would. I hope tonight we get to celebrate his first ring.”
My throat tightens. I can’t speak, so I just give her a crooked smile.
Suddenly, the announcer’s voice booms through the arena, introducing the honorary siren sounder. The crowd goes wild.
Though he never played for Carolina, he’s a hockey legend and proudly supports Xander and the team.
The screen flashes to Gramps, waving to the crowd, and the suite bursts into cheer.
“Okay, everyone, I’m heading to my seat. I can’t watch from so far away,” I say, already moving toward the door.
Mama, Granny, Ruin, Kristine, and River all get up to hug me.
“I’ll be alright. I just need to be closer to the action.” I flash a smile and slip out.
The game kicks off, and I wish I had brought earplugs. It’s rowdy down here.
As Xander hits the ice, I scream with all my might, “You got this, Hotshot!”
The first few minutes are intense. Both teams fight to control the puck. Carolina gets a clear shot but misses, and the entire arena groans.
I lock in on Xander and block out everything else.
The Pumas score first, and the energy in the arena instantly shifts. The excitement turns to nerves, and the air is stifling.
After the first intermission, Xander, Viktor, and Nico return to the ice, and they seem to have a new air about them. They’re skating faster, fighting harder.
Nico sneaks the puck and throws it to Xander, who shoots from the blue line. I could hear a pin drop in the two seconds it takes the puck to hit the net.
Then the horn goes off.
The crowd explodes.
I bang on the glass, shouting, heart thudding.
On the ice, Xander celebrates with his teammates. As he heads to the bench, he passes my spot and winks. I blow him a kiss and laugh through the adrenaline.
I knew he could do it.
The game becomes a nail-biter. We’re three minutes away from going into overtime.
