Page 96 of Breakaway

Returning to the center, the air between us was tense as we waited. Our sticks slapped against one another as we fought again, but he was the victor this time, pushing it through my legs as he body-checked me, and I fell on my butt. The buzzer went off, alerting me he’d scored as I climbed back to my feet. The ref looked to the judges but sighed when he didn’t get what he wanted.

“Sorry. They’re saying it was a fair move,” he said in a low voice.

I nodded. I’d expected as much. Dakota always knew how much he could get away with before it became a penalty.

Tension was thick as we bent down to face off with one another for the last puck. My blood pumped in my ears, and my heart felt like it might come out of my chest. I yearned to look at the stands but stayed focused, knowing that a second could make the difference.

I watched as the puck flipped in the air as it fell. Time seemed to slow as I braced for it, twisting my right hand to catch the puck on the side of my stick. When it landed, I stared at it for a second in amazement before remembering I didn’t have time to gawk.

Thankfully, Dakota’s head was down on the ice, so he didn’t notice until the puck didn’t land. Pushing off, I spun to the right and dropped the puck to the ice and hit it, moving it forward. Adrenaline pumped vigorously through me, my muscles tired as I pushed them harder than ever. My blades bit into the ice, the sound soothing as I moved further down the ice, ignoring everything else with one single focus—the goal.

Raising my stick to strike the puck, I made contact just as something slammed into me. My body flew forward, my knees crashing into the ice first before my ribs and chin. Chimes sounded in my ear as the world spun, pain erupting all over my body. Something wet stuck to my face as coldness seeped into my body. Everything became hazy, darkness encroaching around my vision. Hands touched me, rolling me over as I blinked up at the bright lights.

“Ouch,” I gasped, closing my eyes.

“Henley!” Reed shouted.

I attempted to pat his arm to calm him. I couldn’t understand why he was on the ice or why he was upset.

“What?” I asked, licking my lips.

“Medic,” someone else shouted, confusing me more.

Weren’t we playing something? Who was injured?

“Reese?” I asked as worry made my heart race.

“Is fine. Dax is with them.”

I calmed as I remembered. “Right. Good.”

“Henley, can you tell me what day it is?” a voice asked, prying open my lids to shine a light into them.

“Bright,” I whined, trying to move away from it.

“What day is it, Hen?” Reed asked, reminding me someone else had asked a question.

“Um, it’s Friday. The day I kick Dakota’s butt,” I mumbled.

“Do you know the date?” the voice asked again.

“Sorry, I already have three boyfriends. I can’t go on a date with you.”

A chuckle sounded against my back, and I realized I was no longer on the ice. Warmth pressed into me from all around, making me feel nice and toasty.

“Mmm, toast.”

I felt a deep rumble beneath me, soothing me a little more.

“Three boyfriends, huh?” the voice asked, no longer sounding as worried.

“Yep. You can’t have them,” I said. “But if you come to Utah, there’s something in the air there.”

“I’ll have to remember that. Can you open your eyes for me now, Henley?”

“Is it still bright?” I asked, peeking one eye open.

“Nope. I got rid of it. I just need to check your eyes.”

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