AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And I take advantage of that. I intercept the puck, and I’m off. Their defense is on my ass. I stop short, making the guy fly past me. I’m in the clear now. I wind up. I shoot. It slides across the red line as if the goalie wasn’t even there.
I roar, the guys nearby tackling me into the boards, where the rest of the team pile on top of us.
There’s only minutes left now. The ref bends to drop the puck, and I edge off their man. I pass it to Cory. He drives forward, slipping around the defense. Connor is even with him. I hang back. He feigns left, shoots right. Saved.
The buzzer sounds. We win. And if we keep winning like this, we’re going to the playoffs.
But the relief I feel is short-lived as the reporters swarm us the moment that we’re off of the ice.
“Sean, Sean!” people call out my name. The flashing lights make it hard to see where the voice comes from. I shield my eyes with my arm. “Tell us about the girl you dedicate your goals to.”
“She’s my girlfriend,” I say. “And at this time I’d like to ask for a little privacy.”
“It’s hard to be in the spotlight,” Cory says, interrupting me and throwing an arm around my shoulder. “But don’t worry, I love it. Ask me all the questions.”
Cory steers the conversation away from me and back to him.
I slip away once their attention wanes, grateful for my friend as I hit the showers.
I don’t linger in the locker room. I want to get out and get home as soon as possible, feeling the overwhelming need to spend as much time with Astrid as possible.
“Hey, pretty girl,” I say, relieved the moment I spot her. I wrap her in my arms and hold her tight against me, breathing in her scent.
“You played so well,” she says, the words coming out muffled by my body.
I kiss the top of her head, stroking her hair. “The reporters asked about you.”
“Oh yeah?”
I’m relieved that she doesn’t sound upset.
“What’d you tell them?” she asks.
“I said that you’re my girlfriend.” I place another kiss on her forehead. “And that we needed privacy.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
“Awe, Sean.” She tries her best to squeeze me around the middle.
I pull back and hold her at arm’s length so I can look at her. “You’re sure you’re okay with all of this?”
“I’d do and put up with anything to be with you, Sean.”
“I guess this is official then, huh?”
“Super official.”
CHAPTER 48
ASTRID
I’ve started going to Sean’s away games on weekends. Since we made things official, he insists that I come with him whenever I can. It’s so sweet. And the dedication he’s showing to me speaks volumes. I know that he’s trying hard to prove that this time is going to be different, and it makes me happy. I appreciate his effort.
I pack my bags for my first away game, nervous and excited all at once. It feels like a mini getaway, and the temptation to pack several outfits makes me laugh. It is a silly inclination. It’s for only one night. But to me, it’s more than that. This is like our first vacation in a way. And it feels…. special.
Sean, considerate and romantic as ever, booked me a room at the hotel where the players are staying. I guess it is pretty normal for players’ wives or girlfriends to travel with them when they can. I won’t be able to see him the night before the game. That was made very clear. But the night after the game, he’s all mine.
And I cannot wait.
The flight to Chicago is short, and I make it to the hotel with plenty of time to relax before the game. I take a shower, using every luxury bath and beauty product offered in this ridiculously large suite.
