Page 201 of Rookie Attraction

But Sel’s on it. Poke check and the puck skitters loose. I’m collecting it behind the net when I see Tullmore breaking up the boards. I snap a crisp breakout pass tape-to-tape, and suddenly we’re transitioning the other way. Sel joins the rush, and for a defenseman, he’s a damn good forward. Tullmore dishes it back to the point, and Sel doesn’t hesitate. Bam. Bar down.

The guys around us whoop and holler, sticks banging against the ice.

Makela yells, “Filthy move, Kirkland! I love it!”

Sel skates past me, taps my shin pad with his stick. “Great gap control.”

“Awesome read,” I shoot back, catching the knowing glint in his eyes.

See? I told you.

My grin stretches wide. Yeah. He did.

By the end of practice, I’m drenched in sweat, my legs are burning, and my shoulder’s gotten all the workout it needs. It’s the good kind of tired. The kind that’s satisfying.

Range blows the whistle, calling us in.

“Great work from everyone today,” he says, scanning the group. His gaze lands on me and Sel and holds for a beat. “That’s the standard I expect.”

“Yes, Coach!” everyone calls out.

It’s the most productive practice I’ve had since arriving in New York. The buzzing atmosphere is off the charts. It feels like anything can happen from here on out.

Sel and I skate off, side by side, and the rest of the guys fall in around us. Someone taps my shoulder, and I turn to find Kuznetsov behind me, grinning like he just won the lottery, if the lottery was the Cup.

“Glad you’re back, Finn.”

I nod, still catching my breath. “Thanks, Kuz. Energy’s unreal all around, right?”

“Fuck yeah.” He nudges me. “Keep up the hard work, rookie.”

I chuckle.

Rookie.

I’ll have that title for the rest of the season and I’m more than okay with that.

Chapter Thirty-Three

FINN

WEEKS LATER (FEBRUARY)

The Rush had a turnaround over the past weeks, and now we’re winning more games than losing. Tonight’s the last one before winter break and it’s going to be one I’ll never forget. We’re facing Philly and my former Sutton teammate, Jace Rowland. Not only that, but several of our friends and family members are here to sit in the corporate box and witness the game.

This is another huge moment for me.

And for us.

Sel and I arrive at the Apex an hour earlier than usual. We have a meeting to attend, and we don’t want to be late. So much is riding on tonight, and I feel like I did the first time I walked into this place, flooded with nerves and desperate to skate them off.

“You ready?” Sel asks.

“Yes.”

“You’re sure? Because we can cancel⁠—”

“Sel, we’ve talked about this. I’m ready, we’re ready. It’s time.”