As I picked up these little bits and pieces of her life, I became more and more intrigued. Almost as though I wanted to get a little too involved. We had a good and fun thing going on right now. It was risky and sexy—it was damn hot. That was one thing I had to give her credit for. The way she moved…
The puck was dropped and right out of the gate there was a three-on-two coming my way.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I whispered.
I readied myself as the play picked up steam.
The passes were crisp, hard, and I waited for the shot to be taken.
I figured a top shelf shot.
But then at the last second, a surprise pass sent the puck across the ice.
It should have been a quick and easy tap-the-puck-in kind of goal.
My right leg shot out, my skate hitting the post.
I blocked the shot and the arena exploded with cheers.
I reached with my right hand and smothered the puck, making sure there wasn’t a rebound waiting either.
The ref blew the whistle and the play was ended as fast as it started.
I looked at Reid and he pointed to himself.
It was his fault.
He knew it.
Now I had to deal with a face-off right next to me.
I stayed readied and focused.
Then I wondered why Madison wasn’t here.
Why wasn’t she here taking pictures?
Did she quit already?
I wasn’t sure if she actually would quit or not.
But if she got some more wedding gigs…
The puck was dropped.
A pass was dropped back.
A slap shot sent the puck like a damn bullet right at me.
And I was picturing Madison in a peach-colored dress. With a flower in her hair. Holding her camera. Capturing moments between-
Ting.
The puck hit the top of the crossbar and fell behind me.
The shutout was over before it even had a chance to begin.
I glanced over to the bench and saw Coach standing up on it, pointing at me. At all of us.