Page 95 of Icebound Hearts
The game starts about fifteen minutes later, and as usual, Jake can barely take his eyes off the ice. I cheer right along with him when the Aces score early in the first period, and we groan in unison when Grant narrowly misses saving a shot from the Knights’ right winger. The puck hits the back of the net, and I can see the frustration written all over Grant’s face.
Shit. That’s probably going to eat at him for days.
I’ve heard from both my brother and from Sawyer that Grant is particularly hard on himself—probably more so than any of the other players on the team. He lives and breathes hockey, barely making time for anything else, and he’s so determined to be the best that he takes it hard when he feels like he let the team down.
Jake and I spend the time between the first and second period dissecting everything that happened in the game so far and strategizing how we think the Aces can pull ahead. It’s amazing to me how well he knows the game, but he’s a hockey kid, through and through.
Play resumes, and we’re about five minutes into the second period when I catch sight of one of the arena employees heading toward us. He’s a youngish looking guy, and at first, I think he’s going to try to sell us some Aces gear, but then he stops right next to my seat.
“Excuse me, are you Ms. Sutton?”
I blink. “Uh, yes, I am. Why?”
He holds out a perfectly folded jersey in both hands, its back facing up. “I was told to bring this to you.”
A confused frown tugs at my lips—but when I see “Townsend” above Sawyer’s number, I realize exactly who sent it and why.
“Did Daddy send this?” Jake asks, peering around me to look at the jersey.
“He sure did. Thank you,” I tell the guy and take the jersey, resting it in my lap as he walks away. The number and last name scream up at me, making my heart race.
“Why did he do that? Did I get a stain on mine?” Jake asks, pulling his jersey away from his chest to inspect it. I laugh and shake my head.
“No, buddy. It’s for me.”
“But you’re wearing Reese’s jersey,” he says matter-of-factly. Then he lights up. “Oh, wait, I know! He wants us to match!”
“Yeah. I think you’re right.”
With butterflies flapping wildly in my stomach, my gaze drifts up from the jersey to the ice. There’s a break in play, and Sawyer glances over at me. He looks down at the jerseyclutched in my hands, then back up at my face, raising his brows expectantly.
“Put it on!” Jake encourages me excitedly.
I can’t say no to both of them, especially not with the way Sawyer is looking at me, so even though my heart is pounding in my chest and I’m fighting to hide the smirk that’s tugging at the corners of my mouth, I peel Reese’s jersey up over my head and tug Sawyer’s on in its place.
As soon as I’m finished, Jake throws an arm around my neck, grinning broadly.
My gaze locks with Sawyer’s as he skates across the ice for the next face off, and I don’t miss the heat that burns in his eyes. I bite my lip so hard it hurts, willing myself not to blush any harder than I already am.
And maybe it’s the hair band that I gave him for luck, or maybe it’s the fact that I put on his jersey, but the Aces really do have an amazing night. They score once more in the second period and twice in the third, and thanks to some stellar work by Sawyer and the rest of the defense line, the game ends in a blowout.
“Come on, let’s go celebrate with your dad!” I tell Jake, whose eyes shine with excitement as he clambers out of his seat after the game.
We weave through the stream of people and make our way to the family and friends lounge to wait for the players.
Callie smiles at us when we enter. “Now that was a game, huh?”
I didn’t get the chance to talk to her before the game started, so I set Jake down and follow him as he runs to give her a hug.
“That was the best gameever!” he declares with his arms around Callie.
“Wow. I’m still trying to catch my breath,” I tell her when I catch up to them.
She glances at my jersey and gives me a subtle but noticeable look. “Have a new favorite player, huh?”
I wave a hand, careful to keep my voice casual. “After tonight, I think Sawyer’s going to beeveryone’sfavorite player.”
“Daddy’s the MVP!” Jake declares.