Page 329 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Two.

One.

The horn echoes through Frostholm Arena.

For a moment...I simply stand there. The sound washes over me. Sticks fly into the air.

Liam wraps Ethan in a bear hug so enthusiastic they nearly fall over together.

Caleb skates the length of the ice to join the celebration.

I smile, not just because we won. Because somewhere during the last twenty minutes...

I stopped thinking about my shoulder completely.

Coach reaches me before anyone else. He doesn't pull me into a hug.

He simply rests one hand against the back of my neck for a moment.

"Proud of you, Captain."

The words are quiet enough that only I hear them. I swallow against the sudden tightness in my throat. "I couldn't have done it alone."

His smile is small, almost hidden. "I know."

He gives my shoulder a gentle pat. "And that's why you did."

The cameras find Ethan.

The crowd chants his name. Exactly as it should.

I glance toward center ice where Ethan is surrounded by teammates, laughing so hard he can barely answer the television reporter trying to ask him about the goal.

I smile to myself. Perfect. That goal belongs to him.

As it should.

***

The celebration continues long after the final horn.

Players tap helmets and exchange hugs near center ice and somewhere behind me Liam has convinced Ethan to skate a victory lap he clearly doesn't want.

"I scored one goal," Ethan protests.

"Exactly."

Liam throws an arm around his shoulders.

"You have to enjoy these things before you become old and responsible like the captain."

"I'm standing right here."

"I know."

Liam grins. "I wanted you to hear it."

I shake my head, laughing as I skate toward the bench. For the first time all night, I allow myself one slow breath. Months ago, I wasn't certain I'd ever experience this again.