Page 22 of Breakaway

“If we know they’re going after a certain player, we take that out of the equation. I know it’s cliche, but similar to the flying V in Mighty Ducks. We need to move as a team, strike as a team, and score as a team.”

I nodded, smiling. “It has merit. Use their objective against them to get the advantage. What does the group think?” I asked the others, wanting to get their buy-in.

By the time we returned to the ice, the team had smiles on their faces and a pep in their step. Anders and Kurt observed the players, a calculated look on their faces. Ignoring them, I skated to the team box like I didn’t have a care in the world.

The woman from earlier smiled from the stands as I neared, her eyes assessing me in a way that didn’t feel friendly. The hint of suspicion I felt earlier rose, and I vowed to have Macy look more into her later. For now, I turned back to the ice.

The second period began differently, with our team sticking to their plan to play together. When Jack managed a bar down shot, our team erupted in cheers, the noise barely audible in the stands. No one else applauded; the moment was short-lived as the ref dropped the new puck.

The goal lit a fire under both teams; ours playing harder as the need to score more drove them. Kurt’s team became sloppier, slashing sticks and body checking when the refs weren’t looking. Even with the kids staying together as a unit, the Cavillers managed to separate them and move the puck to the weak side before we could stop them.

“Go!” I shouted to Ana, doing a change-on-the-fly in hopes the switch out would distract their team. Ana skated in just as O’Malley jumped over the box, panting as he plopped onto the bench. He squirted some water into his mouth as he caught his breath, wiping his chin with his sleeve when he finished.

“If there’s not a fight between Braden and Anders by the end, I’ll be surprised,” he said, catching my attention.

“What’s going on?”

“Anders is making comments about the girls and Reese. Asking if Reese takes after…” he trailed off, stopping himself as he cleared his throat.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what Anders was saying. There was no doubt Kurt had put that thought into his head. I didn’t keep my relationship with the guys a secret, but we hadn’t made it known among the players either.

“Spit it out,” I said, not caring if he would say anything about me.

“He’s inferring that they only made the Blizzards because they know how to perform on their knees for the rest of the team. And that he should’ve taken advantage of that privilege before he quit.”

“Like anyone would willingly do that,” I scoffed before remembering I was the coach here.

“Nice burn, Coach.” He smiled at me and my cheeks heated as I stared at the ice, trying to focus back on the play. Blizzards had the puck, but the Cavillers had us backed up against the board.

“Come on, Ref! Your phone must be on silent. You’re missing some calls!” I shouted, unable to stop myself.

The ref looked my way and shook his head before skating over to the players. Ana had gotten the puck free and managed to get under one of the Cavillers’ enforcers.

“Go, Arenas!” I braced against the railing and leaned over to get a better view as she flew down the ice, her smaller size lending to her speed like with Reese. A streak of red neared Ana, and I tensed, worried they’d barrel into her.

Everything slowed down as Ana prepared to strike the puck. Her stick slapped the black disc, propelling it forward toward the goal, her body motionless as she watched it. The Cavillers player didn’t stop their forward motion, tackling Ana to the ice as they made contact. Her helmet smacked against the ice face first, and her mouth guard flew from the impact as the two players bounced and then remained still.

A gasp rang throughout the stadium as silence fell. I hurried onto the ice and skated to the two players, everything fading away as the blood pounded in my ears. The ref was already there, shouting something as I bent my knees and slid on the ice.

The top player groaned, lifting his head as he peered at us. Ana lay motionless underneath him. I wanted to push him off so I could check on her easier, but I knew I couldn’t move him until the medic had cleared him.

Kurt skated over, his smug expression in place as he looked down at me. He didn’t even seem to care that his player could be injured too. He just wanted to get one up on me.

“You’re out for the rest of the game in the box. That was a deliberate injury,” the ref said to the player who’d finally been moved and was set up on the ice as the medical staff looked him over.

“What?” Kurt bellowed, finally taking his eyes off me. “That’s unfair. You can’t punish the whole team for a collision. It happens all the time.”

“One more remark from you, and I’ll have you thrown out as well, Coach. We both know you’ve gotten away with far more than should be legal. Now, someone has gotten hurt. I’d take it, or I’ll throw so many penalties against you; the only player you’ll have left is the Zamboni driver.” The ref stood and brushed the ice off his pants, his face red and his breathing heavy as he skated off, leaving Kurt’s angry face on the ice.

I would’ve respected the ref more if he’d done this before something tragic had happened. As it was, I felt only slightly mollified. I’d been watching the exchange between them and had missed the medical team loading Ana onto a stretcher, her neck in a brace. Her eyes shined up at me, and I stood and grabbed her hand.

“I’m right here,” I promised. She squeezed back, giving me hope it wasn’t as perilous as it appeared. I glanced at the scoreboard, noticing the second period had ended, and Ana’s goal had been good, making the score 2-0 in our favor.

As I skated off with her, I couldn’t help but wonder if all this was worth it. They were just kids, placed in the middle of an adult’s war. One I still didn’t even understand.

Reed met me in the hallway, rushing over. “How is she?”

I shook my head, not having any information. “This is my fault,” I whispered, my fear escaping me in his presence.

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