Page 34 of The Cutting Edge
“Oh my god, Coco, did you see that? That was totally for you.”
I’m a little giddy about it, I’ll confess. “It couldn’t be for me. He probably does that for Poppy every time he scores a goal.”
“Dude, she’s like four. It’s past her bedtime. That was definitely for you.”
“She’s five. Maybe,” I acquiesce. But I think she might be right.”
My phone dings, Logan.
Yeah, you.
I reply with an emoji, as the heat rises in my cheeks and spreads throughout my entire body like a warm bath.
“That Logan?” asks Marissa.
“Mmhmm.”
“He’s telling you that last goal was for you?”
“Mmhmm.”
“That boy’s got it bad.
Chapter thirteen
Logan
Thethirdperiodisa bit of a blur, I’ll admit. Cam scored two goals with an assist from me, and Layne got a third with an assist from Cam, but we got called for a penalty and Washington managed to score two in under a minute during the power play.
By the time it’s all said and done, the score is 6-3, the St. Pete Slashers are headed to the playoffs, and my slump is officially, fucking finally, over.
My teammates are headed to the Sandbar, our usual post-game hangout, an upscale bar overlooking Clearwater Beach. Normally on a night like tonight, it’d be a barnburner and I’d be right there with them – partying, drinking, maybe a celebratory hookup with a puck bunny. On a night like tonight, they’ll be lined up out the door, as far as the eye can see.
But there’s only one place I really want to be tonight, and that’s Coco’s room at the hospital.
As soon as the game is over, I get showered as fast as I can, do a couple of speedy interviews, and make my escape. It’s already close to 11:30, but I’m all amped up on adrenaline, and I just want to see her, even if it’s only for a few minutes.
The hospital is about 15 minutes from the arena, and I’m flying down the interstate. I’m 50/50 on whether I should text first or just show up.
I decide to just show up. It's already so late, and I figure if she is asleep I can just quietly go home. But if she's awake, maybe she'll be up for hanging out a bit.
The hospital parking lot it's pretty empty, so I grab a spot right up front. The main floor of the hospital is dim, except for the main entrance, the lobby elevators, and the hallway leading to the emergency room. Heading over to the elevators for my third day in a row, I ride up to Coco’s floor. As I pass the nurses’ station, Nurse Barb and the male nurse who came into Coco's room for the selfie on that first day give me an excited wave and make quiet cheering noises as I pass by their desk.
"Great job out there tonight, "says Barb. "We were all so excited here to see you play.’
"Thanks, Nurse Barb,” I say, “I’m so flattered you watched the game tonight."
“We wouldn't miss it!" says the male nurse, whose name tag reads Steven. As I pass by, he shakes his fist and yells, “HAT TRICK!!!”
“Thanks, man,” I nod.
A few doors down the hall, I quietly poke my head into Coco's doorway.
"You decent?"
"I didn't know you were serious last night when you said you'd stop by after the game, " answers Coco.
"I can go if it's too late or you're ready to go to sleep… Or, you know, if you'd rather just be alone."
