Page 24 of The Goalie

He skates off and I get up and slide back in front of my net. I pull my mask up and squirt my water bottle into my mouth.

Fuck, why can’t I stop obsessing over her?

Stop.

I have to swallow these feelings, focus, and put on a show. Grace will certainly be watching at home. I want to put on a show for her. I want to be great for her.

My eye catches something in the crowd. A girl waving.

“No way…” I whisper when my eyes narrow on her.

It’s her. It’s Grace.

She’s standing in the front row with a big smile on her face, waving at me as she jumps up and down. She’s even wearing my jersey.

My heart starts pounding. My hands clench into fists.

I grit my teeth as my focus snaps back into place.

She came for me. She’s here.

I let out a growl of anticipation.

Let’s get this fucking game started.

It’s time to dominate.

I slam my mask down and flex my arms.

It’s game time.

CHAPTER NINE

Nolan

It’s the third period and I’ve stopped everything they’ve thrown at me. I’m a brick fucking wall.

Nikolai grabs the puck off Harris, pushes him onto his ass, and comes at me.

I’m in the flow state. I’m dialed in. I’m in the fucking zone.

Their whole team can come on the ice and they won’t slip one past me.

I’m unstoppable with Grace in my corner. Knowing she’s watching me is all I need.

Sebastian and Austin both try to catch up to Nikolai, but he’s got a beat on them and he’s a fast fucker.

It’s one on one. Me against him.

The crowd jumps to their feet. You can hear a pin drop. Just the scratching sound of blades on fresh ice as he comes.

Sebastian was right. He’s over-handling the puck, which means he’s going for the top corner. I crouch down, ready.

He dekes left and then lets it rip top right.

I snag it easily.

The crowd sits back down with a collective grumble as I hold the puck in my glove. The ref blows his whistle. The play is over.