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“Zachary Renshaw is this game’s First Star player!” the commentator announced, and the crowd cheered.
I skated around, scanning through the smiling faces of the kids who hoped I’d give them the stick.
I stopped in my tracks and stared at a little boy with copper curls, who was missing his front teeth—both top and bottom. He was grinning wildly at me, and I pointed, skating closer to get the stick to the little boy.
Who looked like I did when I was his age.
Doing another lap, I got off the ice and bumped gloves with Owens, who played a solid game and was named Second Star.
“Zachy!”
I turned just in time to catch Jessa as she bounced up and into my arms. I chuckled, hoisting her as high as I could with her legs straight, deciding I didn’t need everyone seeing her underwear, since the sapphire dress was a little restrictive.
“You did it,” she breathed.
“For you.”
“I know.” She leaned in, and I blinked at her.
“I’m sweaty,” I groaned.
“I don’t care.”
Jessa clung to me and kissed me as hard as she could. She fisted my jersey, hanging on, and when she moaned against my mouth, I pulled back to gaze down at her.
“Now…that’s fridge-worthy, kiddo,” Coach Hall teased, holding his phone at arm’s length. “I think.”
“Dad…” Jessa groaned and slid down the front of my gear. She tilted Coach Hall’s phone toward her, inspecting the photo, and smiled. “Aww, I love it.”
Coach Hall tucked his phone into the inner pocket of his suit jacket, and he cleared his throat. He took slow, calculated steps toward me, analyzing me with a grin he tried to wipe away.
“Now…what are your intentions with my daughter?” he demanded, crossing his arms.
“You don’t have to do that,” Jessa grumbled and slipped her hands between his arms, trying her best to uncross them. “I’m too old for that.”
“I’m brand new to this, so you’re not too old to me. Still need to get you to sit on my shoulders,” he teased, grinning down at her. “Now go, have fun, and get out of my hair. You’re bugging me.”
Coach Hall bent and pressed a kiss to her forehead and nudged her toward me.
Their dynamic was adorable, and it had clearly expanded in the time Jessa and I had spent apart.
“Let me shower and get dressed, and we’ll go wherever you want to go.”
“Will you come home with me? Will you stay?”
“Absolutely.”
CHAPTER21
JESSA
Hockey players cleaned upwell.
The Hammerheads had plans to celebrate their win by drinking, flirting, and going home with whoever would take them.
I waited for Zach outside the Hammerheads’ dressing room, staring at the door each time it opened, frowning when it wasn’t Zach.
Rookford exited, dark brown hair brushed back from his angular face, and he wore a charcoal-gray suit that was tailored perfectly. He glanced at me, looked away, and then back again, pausing.
