Page 45 of Breakaway

We hadn’t asked for this war, but like hell would we surrender. Come and get us, assholes.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Henley

The next forty-eight hours had zoomed by, almost as if someone had given Father Time an energy drink as the Blizzards attempted to regain their footing. Everything had been canceled and kept close to our chest to avoid any more tampering.

Dmitry had been furious with the violation of security and hired Alpha Security Systems to install an entirely new system with an overnight guard. It would eliminate the possibility of any former students tampering again and put a bullseye on the current.

Not that I thought anyone would try again. They’d already hit their mark and would move on to a new target next. As the saying went, there was no reason to keep beating a dead horse.

I glanced around at the kids gathered in front of me, determination on their faces.

“The past few days have been challenging. But through that, I’ve watched you all rise up and take ownership of this team. You used this tragedy to strengthen your bond instead of letting it break us like the vandals wanted. That’s the making of a championship team, of individuals who will go on to do great things. So yes, we might be facing our opponents tonight with borrowed equipment and donated gear, but it’s the player under all of it that matters. Will we let these obstacles shove us into the boards, or will we breakaway and score?”

“Breakaway!” the team shouted, their voices loud and hungry in the locker room. I smiled, adrenaline filling me as I paced back and forth in front of them.

“Then let’s show them that our nickname should be the Breakaway Blizzards because they won’t be able to catch us. On three!”

“Breakaway Blizzards!”

Chanting and thumping followed the cheer as the team made howls and slapped their hands and sticks against surfaces. The energy in the locker room crackled as the team stood. For the first time since becoming a coach, I felt the power they held as a unit. As much as I hated the destruction we’d all endured, it hadn’t broken the most important thing—their spirit.

The players had a common purpose outside of winning games that translated beyond their individual careers and aspirations. They’d become a true team, hellbent on standing together and facing off against their opponents.

Fletcher nudged me, a grin on his face as he watched the team come alive in front of us. I nodded, my chest expanding as I took my first deep breath in days. I spotted the camera crew out of the corner of my eye, but like Dax had stated, they’d eventually faded into the background. I had mixed feelings about the events of the past few days to be included, but Keaton swore we’d get the final say of the documentary, giving me ultimate control. Plus, it would show the hurdles we faced and how we chose to overcome them.

“Let’s go get them!” I shouted, moving toward the door so the team would follow. Reese patted me on the arm as they walked by, giving me a head nod that I interpreted as ‘good job.’ It should feel weird to get praise from my younger sibling, but it didn’t. It felt nice.

Fletcher followed the team out, and Reed waited with me to trail behind. We walked in silence, getting into the headspace for the game. When we got to the ice, he squeezed my forearm before heading to his booth. I took one last breath and put on my game face as I stepped onto the ice. Applause and cheers rang out, and I froze as I watched most of the stadium stand. Swallowing, I tried to read the signs held around the arena.

We stand with Coach Henshaw

Blizzards = Henshaw

Lux is against bullies

Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes, threatening to fall at the support around the arena. I waved my hand as I collected myself, focusing back on the kids and warming up. The whistle blew a moment later, and the teams gathered in the center, the puck flipping through the air as the game started. The arena noise faded to the back, the puck and the team the only things I concentrated on. Everything else would still be there after, and I had my team to lean on now.

* * *

The last seconds of the game counted down, and I held my breath as the other team skated down the ice toward our goal. The forward faked a top right hit, changing to a low right pocket slap at the last second, sending the puck flying. But Molly anticipated it, her glove moved down to the ice and caught the puck as the buzzer sounded.

The stadium filled with cheers as the game ended. Not only had we won the game, but Molly had shut out the other team.

I jumped out of the box onto the ice, skating toward the team as they surrounded her. The opposing team lined up, so I motioned for everyone to do the same.

“Good game,” the coach said as he passed, giving me a nod of respect.

The warmth of that recognition spread through me, and I headed to the locker room, feeling like a new person. One of the security team gave us the all clear, patting everyone on the back for the win as we entered. Noise encompassed the locker like a beating heart, giving life to the dull room as the team celebrated, smiles on every one of their faces.

“The group played amazing. That’s what a team looks like. It wasn’t that one player outperformed anyone else, but that you all came together and played as a unit. That’s how hockey is meant to be played. I’m so proud of everyone. And Molly, I think the game puck goes to you! I can tell all those hours with Scar have paid off. Great job on your first shutout.”

“Molly! Molly!” the team chanted, making the girl blush as she accepted the puck. A few players nudged her, patting her back as she returned to her seat.

“Tomorrow is a rest day, and then we have one full day of practice before our next game. We’ll be traveling again, so ensure all your assignments are done beforehand. The team we face is good, so limit your distractions as best as you can. But first, I need to correct something I forgot to do in the hustle of everything.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out two fabric C’s, everyone’s eyes on me as I held them up.

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