Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“I’m really fucking nervous,” I mutter.
“I know.” He claps me on the shoulder. “Me too, but it’s a game like any other. Block out the noise and focus on the ice.”
I realize he’s probably echoing something his brother said to him before the game. But it’s solid advice.
I only get two minutes of ice time in the first period. But Flint, one of the seasoned forwards, gets slammed into the boards in the second period and is pulled for a concussion. Our opposition gets a penalty and I end up on the ice. Some of these guys are three years older and nearly twice as broad as I am. They have years of on-ice advantage. But I have the high of my first game in a packed arena with all the people I care about cheering me on as I glide down the ice. Beans passes me the puck and I deke around players, keeping it out of their possession.
Before I hit the crease, I pass it back to Beans. He takes the shot, but it goes wide and hits the goal post, ricocheting toward me. I act on instinct, lining up the shot. The goalie is already in position, skate scraping across the ice until the blade hits the post. I flip the puck up and tap it while it’s in the air. Everything happens in slow motion.
The opposition nudges my shooting arm, hoping to send the puck off course, but it’s already left my blade. The goalie’s arm extends, his intent to catch the puck, but it skims the underside of his glove, sailing through the space between his pads, crossing the line and hitting the net.
The arena erupts in a chorus of excited shouts. My teammates slam into me, cheering right along with the crowd. I scored my first ever goal for my university team. The high is indescribable. I return to the bench and wave to my family who are beaming, and Cammie, whose lip is caught between her teeth. I wink and she smiles. Brody elbows me. “Stop looking at your girlfriend like that when her parents are right beside her.”
“Right. Yeah. Thanks.” I seriously hope we get to celebrate later tonight.
The Blaze rides the wave of excitement maintaining the lead in period two. In the third, Brody stops two goals and manages an assist.
It’s an incredible win.
We’re basically flying in the locker room. One of the seniors invites everyone back to his place for a party. Our families meet us in the lobby and my mom embarrasses me by getting all gushy and emotional.
I almost die a second time when Coach Vander Zee from the Terror compliments both me and Brody on our game play tonight.
Before anyone else can get between me and Cammie, I close the distance and scoop her up, burying my face against her neck. “Thanks for being here. I know it’s not easy for you.”
She pulls back, her smile soft and warm as she cups my face in her palms. “So totally worth it.” She kisses me, then hugs me again, her lips at my ear as she whispers, “Precious and I will show you how proud we are later.”
Life can’t get any better than this.
CHAPTER 28
CAMMIE
Iwake up to noise in the hall. Giggling and laughing.
I lie there, face mashed into my pillow where the scent of Chase’s cologne permeates the fabric. He and Brody got up at a ridiculously early hour for some one-on-one ice time. Scoring that goal has motivated the hell out of Chase. So did the accolades from Tally’s dad. He talked about it for days. It was adorable.
I huff his cologne. Usually sniffing him makes me all warm and gooey inside, but today something feels…off. More laughter comes from the hall.
There’s a note on the nightstand next to my bed. My stomach twists unpleasantly as I flip it open, preparing for…I don’t know. The worst maybe? Which would be Chase suddenly breaking up with me by leaving a note on my nightstand.
Cammie,
I miss you already. Back in a couple hours to grab breakfast with you.
Xo,
Chase
He always dots the “i” in my name with a heart. It’s so stinking cute. My smile fades as more laughter comes from the hall. What the hell is going on out there? I throw off my covers and pad across the room, pressing my eye to the peephole. Several of my floormates congregate outside my door holding pieces of paper. Several of them are snickering. One guy reads over another guy’s shoulder and guffaws loudly.
I don’t think through my actions as I throw open my door.
The hallway is full of people. All of them are holding papers in their hands. I glance at my door, trying to process what I’m seeing. Pieces of text-filled paper are taped to my door. The entire thing is covered. Horror, real and overwhelming, hits me hard as phrases pop out at me.