Page 136 of Hockey Boy

“I think he’s crashing,” the ref says as Gavin waves us over.

“My heart will go on,” Aiden sings, albeit slightly out of tune.

The medic pulls back. “He’s talking.”

“Get his heart rate,” Gavin mutters.

“The power of love,” Aiden croons, his eyes still closed.

Tears stream down my face as I get closer. “You need to help him,please.”

Aiden’s lashes flutter open, and he locks eyes with me.“Because you loved me.”His eyes fall shut again.

“Is he singing a Celine Dion medley?” Beckett kneels beside him.

“Aiden,pleasewake up.”

“It’s all coming back to me.”His lashes flutter again, but he doesn’t open his eyes.

“Dammit, Aiden,” I sob. “I can’t do this again.Shamrock.”

His eyelids snap open, so I say it again. “Shamrock. Shamrock.Shamrock.”

The cold leaches through my pants as I crawl past the medic and clutch Aiden’s hand. I pull off his glove and press his palm to my heart. “I love you, Aiden. Please don’t do this to me. I can’t lose you again.”

He pulls his hand from mine and cups my chin.

Another tear crests my lashes at the sheer decadence of his touch.

Voice hoarse, he says, “Catching feelings for me, Princess?”

I laugh out a sob and fall against his chest. “Something like that.”

“What the fuck was that?” Gavin growls.

It seems we’re all finally breathing now that Aiden is conscious.

“That was a cheap fucking shot that could have cost him his career,” he yells at Lukov, who’s standing beside Sebastian and the ref.

“He’s fine,” Sebastian scoffs. “The boy’s just getting slow in his old age. Wouldn’t have happened if you were a better coach?—”

“Fuck you,” Beckett yells, getting in Sebastian’s face. “You don’t deserve to breathe the same air as any of my brothers, let alone talk about them.”

“I want him tossed from the game,” Gavin shouts, pointing at Lukov.

Aiden clears his throat, and I bolt upright. Shit, I’m probably making it hard for him to breathe.

“It was me,” he rasps.

As the guys keep yelling, Aiden tugs on my hand. “Tell them it was me.”

I shake my head. “What?”

“It wasme,” he says louder, finally garnering the attention of the guys fighting around us.

“What was you?” I whisper.

“I had a panic attack,” Aiden says softly, searching my face like he expects to find judgment. “I froze.” With a sigh, he lowers his gaze. “I had a panic attack.”