Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
When my own tear leaks free, I wipe it away and then another as I hold his gaze.
“I wish it weren’t one of my boys because I don’t want people thinking you’re getting him ahead—and Ciaran will make the big leagues. But it is what it is, and I can promise you we won’t have ourselves another Titov situation.”
Ciaran will make the big leagues.
That statement makes my chest hurt, but I mask it with a grin. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you, darling.” He stands up, and I do the same, meeting him for a tight hug. As he kisses my temple, I wish I weren’t thinking about Ciaran going into the NHL, but I am.
Ciaran will make the big leagues.
And what will that mean for us?
CHAPTER 38
Ciaran
I look around the locker room, my teammates all seated and getting ready for the game in their own ways. For me, I meditated, I cried, and then I threw up. Good times all around. Each of us is dressed, and the only thing missing are our helmets. Mine is in my hands, and with my fingers in the ear holes, I spin it around to release some of my nerves. I try to focus on the new orange carpet or the curtains, but it’s not working. I’m ready. I want to hit the ice.
I want to see Louisa’s face when I score.
God, I miss her. I left early this morning, napped here at the arena, and I haven’t been home yet. I mean, to her apartment. Though, at the rate I keep leaving my crap there, I may as well call it my home too. I’ve moved in without either of us saying I have. I’m unsure if we’re not acknowledging this fact because if we do, we’d have to question if we’re moving too fast. We might be. But when you know, you know. And I know I’m happy sharing a space with Louisa.
More than happy.
When the roar of the crowd reaches into the locker room, I take a deep breath. The arena is sold out, which is huge when so many people tried to say they wouldn’t support the venue. Or the Bears. Well, Dan Davenport offered the town free tickets, and now, we’re sold out. Or at capacity. However you wanna look at it, the arena is full and fucking loud.
Give country boys an orange shirt and some beer, and they’re down to party.
I stand up and find myself pacing as I spin my helmet on my fingers. I nod to each of my teammates as I pass by, waiting for the cue to go. I’ve already given my speech, which was all uplifting and shit but very short, but I wonder if it stuck for my teammates. Everyone is visibly nervous, and my stomach aches at the sight. Maybe I didn’t uplift as much as I wanted.
I clear my throat, and a few eyes move toward me. “I’m proud of this team,” I start, still spinning my helmet on my fingers. “We have worked hard, come together, and now we’re going to show why the Knoxville Bears will be the best team in the league.” The guys start to nod, and pride settles in my chest. “We will prove to this town we belong here. We will win, and we will do it as a team.”
The room fills with agreement and loud chants. I put my helmet on my head and then start a slow clap. The guys join in, the room loud and full of excitement as we start to clap louder and in time. Everyone gets up, meeting in the middle as we clap faster, and when we stop, the room explodes in “K Bears!” We tap our fists, clasp shoulders, and hype one another up as the cue comes for us to line up in the hall.
The crowd is loud as they sing along with Jay-Z’s “Run This Town.” At the back of the line, I rock back and forth as I watch and listen to each of my teammate’s names and numbers. Cruz stands in front of me, second to last since he’s the starting goalie.
He glances back at me and nods. “Ready?”
“Ready as I’m gonna be.” I laugh, and he flashes me a wide smile.
“And Number Ninety, our starting goalie, Alejandro Cruz!”
I slap him on the back as he smacks his gloves together and heads through the tunnel. I’m thankful for how loud the crowd cheers for my friend, and I step forward since I’m next. My stomach is in knots, and I may puke once more. Might help. But before I can do that, the announcer is calling my name.
“And now, the captain of the Knoxville Bears, Number Four, Ciaran Carter!”
I take off in a run, hitting the ice with ease as the crowd erupts. The next few moments are a blur as I look around, taking everything in. The crowd is electric, the lights blinding and the music deafening, and I’m obsessed with it all. Eagerness courses through me, and soon, I’m searching for my love.