Page 81 of Riding Pine
A chorus of cheers and whistles, along with shouts of encouragement, sounds as I pull myself up into the silk and drop my tail on the ice. I don’t know how I’m going to make this work yet, but I’ve always done well on the spur of the moment.
I give a thumbs up to start the music,Eye of the Tiger, which fits well. I pull myself into the material, the euphoria of performing taking over as I move through a series of poses to entertain as wellas energize. While upside down and spinning, I clap my hands together, urging the crowd to get behind me for the last shot at number five.
With the crowd on their feet, I move back up the silk and hold a pose like an archer drawing back a bow, and that’s when my plan comes together. I swoop lower and time it to the music so the announcer tosses me the ball. I tuck it inside my suit before pulling myself up again into an archer’s pose, before gracefully diving out of the silks.
I roll out quickly, and the gasps of the audience bring a smile to my face as I hook my back leg around the silk, reach into my suit and grab the ball. While half upside down, I draw my arm back and throw at the target.
The ball crushes the paper target, and I release my leg to drop all the way to the ground. After resuming my boxer pose, the announcer grabs my wrist and holds my hand in the air like I won the round. The crowd loves it.
“You drew a crowd from the other team.” The announcer whispers, and I glance at the visitor’s bench. Number five claps along with a few other team members, so I blow them a kiss. That draws more laughter from the fans and even the opposing players.
I quickly bow before collecting my tail, and I turn my gaze to where Lukas sits. He’s clapping and smiling, and if I’m not mistaken…proud. I make the heart sign to him again before exiting the ice.
If he can’t be out there to put number five in his place, I’ve got his back. Not just with this. With everything.
After clipping my tail back on with shaking hands, I smile to myself.
Beavers mate for life, and this beaver chose a hockey player.
I’ll fight for him every time. In every way possible. Even by slapping paper faces of the player on the ice he should be handling.
I’m pretty sure there’s no better way to express my commitment.
twenty-three
Lukas
Nothing could have torn me away from watching Ben’s performance tonight.
Watching him practice routines in his studio is not the same as watching him improv a routine with the game MCs and dedicate it to me. Not that he came out and said that, but to acknowledge my role on the team in his act and substitute himself for me? I didn’t think it was possible to fall more for someone than Ialready had.
But here I am, grinning like a lovesick fool as I almost sprint to the private room he changes and rests in. With a nod to the security guard, I slip down the twisty halls to a room most people don’t even know exists.
I don’t even knock. Instead, I open the door and slam it shut behind me with more force than needed, but I’m too excited.
Ben’s head snaps up from his chair, and the alarm quickly shifts to joy as he stands to greet me. His suit hangs open, unzipped with the top half hanging at his waist while he hydrates and snacks on his favourite apple slices and cheese strings.
“Lukas. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in the dressing room inspiring the team?”
“Probably, but I had to find you first.”
Closing the rest of the space between us, I take his face in my hands. “You were amazing. Talented. Creative. Adorable. Sexy.” I punctuate each word with a kiss to his lips. “I loved it all.”
Ben’s smile pops that single dimple of his and I kiss it too. Fuck, I love this man.
“Yeah? It was maybe a little spiteful and a lot cheesy, but I felt like I needed to be your backup.” His smile fades. “That guy is dirty, and not in the fun way.”
My laugh breaks free before I kiss Ben again. It’s long and deep, and while I’ve never kissed someone because I’m proud of them before, I hope he feels that.
“Thank you,” I whisper when I finally come up for air and rest my forehead on his. “You can be my backup any day, baby.”
Ben’s thumb passes over my scruffy cheek. “We’re a team, Lukas. I might not understand your game that well, but I’ll always,”—he purses his lips, thinking before continuing—“I’ll always be your centre?”
“I think what you’re looking for is you’ll always be my defence partner and bail me out when I falter.”
Ben’s dimple pops again with a smile that’s just for me. “Yeah, okay, yours sounds much better.” He pulls me down to kiss him softly again before stepping back. “Right now, as your partner, I’m sending you back to the dressing room to remind your teammates they have a game to win without you.”
I hate that he’s right, but I should do that.
