Page 102 of Pucking Good Girl

I blow one back to her, but something stops me in my tracks. Talia has both mine and Mack’s numbers painted on her face. And I don’t see any numbers in small on her chest or on her upper sleeves.

Making a twirling motion with my fingers, I signal to her to turn around, and she does.

Just as I was thinking, there is the name “Shayba” on her back, but no number.

The message is abundantly clear. She’s supporting both of us, and she hasn’t made a choice.

I can’t say I’m not a little disappointed, but this is also not surprising.

“Come on, Beavis,” Heston clasps my shoulder. “Let’s hit the showers and go celebrate. The Zetas are throwing us one hell of a party.”

As I’m about to leave the ice, I can’t help but throw one last look in Talia’s direction.

That’s when my eyes catch my dad—and agent—two rows behind Talia. He isn’t alone; he’s sitting with two men I recognize as the scouts Seattle has been sending to watch me and Mack.

If they’re here with him, it can only mean one thing. They made a decision.

My teammates are loud, jumping, yelling, and horsing around as they celebrate our W tonight. They have Mack in a circle, jumping around and chanting “O’ Captain, my Captain.” He deserves it. He’s been everything a team could ask of their captain and more this year.

I dodge every attempt to get me to join in the festivities and head straight for the shower. I need to change back into street clothes and find Talia. I want to kiss her and tell her that I love her.

Maybe when they choose Mack, like I’ve always known it will happen, Talia will choose me. I can sign with a team that’ll let me finish my degree here in Star Cove if Talia wants to attend graduate school here.

Even if Seattle doesn’t pick me, I’ll be fine as long as I have her. Deep down, I’ve always known that they’ll sign my brother. I’ve had the best season of my career so far, but Mack has always been the superstar.

It’s ok, I can deal with that because I love my brother. And truth be told, while being able to wear the same jersey Dad wore his entire career, there are many great teams in the NHL. So I can make Dad proud even if I end up in Canada or anywhere else in the U.S. But there is only one Talia.

And if she chooses Mack, I don’t know what I’m going to do.

“Son,” Coach Harrison is waiting for me when I get out of the shower. “Your father was looking for you. I told him you can have the meeting with the Seattle scouts in the small meeting room next to my office. Might want to put on your suit for that. Whatever they want to say to you, it’s always better to look put together.”

I nod stiffly. “Sure thing, Coach. Thank you.”

“Heston,” Coach’s head snaps to one side. “Put away that dick, or I swear to God, you’re not gonna like the use I’m gonna make of the athletic tape.”

“But, Coach,” Vaughn grins mischievously. “The helicopter dick is my way to celebrate a W. It’s tradition.”

I snort a nervous laugh as Coach takes a roll of athletic tape from his pocket, and Vaughn runs away with a loud squeal. My teammates can be loud and a little obnoxious at times, but I’ve grown to love them and respect them.

Especially their captain.

Mack’s eyes are on me as I get dressed. He doesn’t say anything, but I can tell that he’s just as nervous as I am.

It’s not like our entire future depends on Seattle’s decision. But if they want to see me first, it’s probably to let me know that they’re going with Mack. Get the bad news out of the way so that they can sit down with their new winger and discuss his contract.

“You got this,” Mack claps my shoulder as I walk past him. His voice is vibrating with tension, but I know he means it.

In the past year, I realized that our rivalry was always good natured for him. Growing up together and being so close in age, I guess being compared to each other came with the territory. It wasn’t Mack’s fault if he was always two steps ahead of me.

The chip on my shoulder I’ve had pretty much forever, is my choice. I was the one who let our brotherly rivalry become our entire relationship. These past few months, I’ve seen that competing over something—a spot on our dream team, or the woman we both love—doesn’t need to color every interaction between us. In our case, the love we have for each other is more important than our rivalry.

“Thanks, brother,” I nod. “You too.”

My heart is literally in my throat when I knock on the door of the meeting room right next to Coach Harrison’s office. I wish I could have found Talia, but she must be waiting outside the area reserved for players and staff, and I couldn’t keep the scouts waiting. Even if they’re about to tell me that I’m not the chosen one.

“Come on in, Becker.” My dad’s voice calls out.

My heart is literally in my throat as I open the door.