Page 26

ZACK

As the preseason comes to a close, we approach our first exhibition game against the Minnesota Blizzards. Coach has us scrimmaging all week to prepare.

As I look around at my teammates on the ice, I’m proud to see the progress they’ve made in the preseason. The rookies are barely distinguishable from the vets, and everyone is working together like a well-oiled machine. The Blizzards don’t stand a chance.

It’s a home game, so we get to warm up in our familiar facility. We start in the weight room to get the blood moving, and then get ready to hit the ice.

I find myself falling into my usual pre-game ritual. The Blades’ playlist is pumping through the speakers, and the familiar music helps me get in the mindset I need. I lace up my skates – always one at a time, always left before right – and head out to the rink.

We have a little more time before the game starts to warm up on the ice, but fans are already filtering into the stands to watch. I scan the crowd for any familiar faces, but I don’t see anyone I know, apart from the loyal local fans.

That’s okay. Mike’s driving my mom down today, since she’s still in a sling, and they’ll probably arrive closer to the start of the game.

Amber’s not in her usual spot. She’s behind the boards with Coach Green today, so it takes me a moment to find her. But I catch a flash of her red hair peeking out from under a royal blue Blades cap.

Her face is intense, but she brightens when I skate by. I do some fancy footwork for her, turning around and skating backward. This earns me some scattered applause from the crowd, but it also makes Amber smile, and that’s all I really wanted.

Our warmup time ends, and we retreat to the locker room. I hear the crowd getting excited when our mascot comes out to entertain them until the game begins. Just a few more minutes now…

Coach Green joins us in the locker room to give us the usual pre-game pep talk. He’s got his uniform on like the rest of us — a gray suit with a Blades-blue tie. Amber’s with him, also looking put together in her black blazer over a blue sweater. We settle down, taking a seat in front of our lockers to listen to them speak.

“Today is a fresh start,” Coach Green begins. “A new season. A chance to show our fans that we are not the same Blades from last year. You’ve all made incredible progress over the last several weeks, and I feel confident that the Blizzards won’t know what hit them.”

Then he steps back and nods to Amber. “With that, I’d like Dr. Morrison to say a few words.”

Amber smiles nervously, taking her uneasy place at the center of attention.

“Thanks, Coach Green. I want everyone to remember today what we’ve been working on.” I watch her immediately relax into her coaching mode.

“Remind yourselves that hockey is a mental game as much as a physical one. Whenever you get a quiet moment, picture yourself blocking a shot, or making a clean check. Visualize your success. You’ve trained your bodies—now trust your minds.” I give her a thumbs up at the end of her speech, and she blushes.

Coach Green nods. “That’s right. And don’t forget, it’s not about scoring, but, YES, I expect you to score! It’s not about winning, but, YES, we all hope for that. It’s about the process. Focusing on working together as a team is what gets us to those goals. That’s the most important thing.”

We all cheer. Then Coach Green raises his hands for quiet, so he can give us the starting lineup. He reads off the card in his hand. “Starting today – Colt! Thompson! Shepherd! Scott! Rossi! Campbell!” He claps decisively. “Let’s get after it, boys!”

I blow out a quick breath and grab my helmet. It’s game time.

As I make my way back out to the rink, I block out the noise of the crowd, the shuffling feet of my teammates, everything but my breath. I center myself, counting my breaths and slowing my racing heart.

It's a technique that Amber taught me. I’d been doing something similar without realizing it, but with her guidance it’s become much more effective.

In for a count of four, hold for four. Breathe out for four, hold for four. The more I do it, the calmer I feel. By the time I get to the center of the rink, I feel like I’m floating. My head is clear, and my limbs are loose. I’m ready for anything.

In the brief moments I have before the puck drop, I visualize my success, just like Amber said. I see myself getting possession of the puck, expertly flipping it out of the reach of the Blizzards’ center, and streaking down the field.

I raise my eyes to meet my opponent. He’s a big blonde guy with a hard set to his jaw. Getting around him is going to be tricky, but I know I can do it.

The ref blows the whistle and drops the puck to start the game. The Blizzards guy and I crash together, our sticks warring for the puck. But I sneak behind his guard and get the puck out to the left, where Mark is waiting.

I dodge the Blizzards’ center and race down the ice. He follows, but I spin around him and get open. Mark passes the puck back to me, and I take it closer to the goal. Blake checks a defender, putting himself right next to the goal, and I slap the puck to him. He turns and scores, taking the goalie by surprise.

“Yes!” I pump my arms excitedly. It didn’t go exactly as I had pictured, but it was still a great success.

“Colt! Thompson!” Coach Green calls us off the ice and substitutes in Clint and Aaron. We bump fists on the way by to encourage our teammates to keep the momentum going.

“That was really great,” I tell Blake once we hit the bench. Things between the two of us have gotten better over the last couple of weeks, once he started taking Amber more seriously.

Blake squirts water into his mouth. “I just did what Dr. Morrison said! I channeled my anger, and I pictured what I wanted to happen. And it worked!”

I smile proudly. “Pretty cool, right?” Blake nods in agreement.

We absolutely crush the Blizzards, beating them 6 to 1. It would have been a complete shut out, but one of their forwards was able to score on a penalty shot. Still, it’s way better than any game we played last season, and the team is high on our success after the game. Plus our overall penalty box time was way lower than any game last season.

Coach Green joins us in the locker room for the post-game debrief as we’re all getting changed. “You guys were amazing out there!” He exclaims, and we all cheer. “Now, I don’t want us to get too cocky. This was just our first game, and a preseason game at that. But if we can keep this up for the rest of the season…” Coach Green shrugs. “I think we stand a good chance at making playoffs this year.”

“I think we could do a lot better than that!” Blake shouts. “I think we can win the Cup!”

Coach Green chuckles. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But I like the enthusiasm, Thompson.” He looks around the room at all of us. “I’m really proud of you guys. Take a break tonight, you deserve it. And I’ll see you bright and early for practice again tomorrow.”

We cheer again as Coach Green leaves the locker room.

I’m proud of my team, too. Looking at our scores from last year, not to mention our attitudes, I never would have thought this was possible. The Blizzards are one of the better-ranked teams in our league, and we got compared to them a lot because they’re our regional neighbors. Today, we showed them what we’re made of in Red Oak. And it feels good.

I pack up my things and leave the locker room, ready to see my family and friends. I find Mom first, and she pulls me into a tight one-armed hug. “You were amazing out there!” she gushes. “I can’t believe how well the Blades did!”

“I can’t either.” I laugh. My mom came to all the home games last year, so she knows firsthand just how much we’ve improved. “Where’s Mike?”

“Over there.” My mom points off to the side, and I see Mike and Amber standing with a girl I don’t know. She’s a little taller than Amber, with long, dark hair. From the way Mike’s got his arm around her, I’m assuming she’s his girlfriend, Leah.

“Come on. There’s someone I want you to meet — again .” I grab my mom’s hand and tug her over to the group. “Mom, I know you already met Mike and Leah, but this is Mike’s sister, Amber.”

My mom’s eyes widen when she hears the name, but she tries to play it cool. “Amber! So good to see you after all these years.” She gives Amber a sideways hug, giving me a look of approval.

“We were just talking about how I’ll be staying in Red Oak a little longer than I’d planned.” Amber flashes a grin. “My time with the Blades might be coming to an end, but the Jefferson High School hockey season is just starting.”

Mike is glancing between the two of us suspiciously. “Mike, can I talk to you for a sec?” I pull him aside, leaving the ladies to continue chatting.

“Am I missing something?” he asks, his eyes narrowed.

I run a hand through my hair. “Me and Amber… well, we’re kind of dating.”

Mike raises his eyebrows. “She’s moving to Red Oak. That sounds a little more serious than ‘kind of dating.’”

“We’re waiting to make it public until after the preseason is over, and she’s no longer contracted with the Blades anymore.” I explain. “Which is officially his week! But we should have told you sooner. Sorry.”

Mike looks back at Amber, and his face softens. “I understand. You’re just trying to protect her job.”

Then he looks back at me, his face serious again. “I can see how happy you make her. And all I want for you guys is happiness. I didn’t think it was possible before, but I can see now that a lot has changed.”

He claps me on the shoulder. “I know you’re both grown ups now, and you can make your own decisions. If Amber believes in you, that’s good enough for me. You have my blessing."

I grab his shoulder back. “Thanks, man. That means a lot.” I look over at Amber, too, seeing her face light up as she laughs at something Leah said. “She’s helped me through a lot in the short time she’s been here. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

Mike nods understandingly. “That’s how it goes.”

We rejoin the group out in the near empty parking lot. “Who’s up for dinner?” Mike asks.

“Me!” Leah raises her hand.

“Yes, please. I’m starving.” Amber agrees.

As Mike and my mom try to choose a restaurant, I wrap my arm around Amber’s shoulders. Her hands come up to encircle my waist, and she squeezes me tight. Her bright eyes meet mine and she smiles contentedly.

“I’m so glad you came to Red Oak.” I press a kiss to Amber’s forehead.

This town gave me a second chance — at hockey, at life… and at love. Whatever comes next, I know we’ll face it hand in hand.

THE END

If you liked Amber and Zack's romance, you're sure to enjoy my clean, sweet novella…

My Best Friend's Irresistible Brother!

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My best friend’s brother broke my teenage heart. Now I’m back in town, and I can not let that happen again…

After six years in the big city corporate grind, I’m back in Crestview to surprise my best friend, Lisa.

But instead, her brother, Logan, answers her door. He was our small town’s heartbreaking, party boy, and my first crush.

No longer that cocky boy, he’s all grown up, gorgeous, and a successful veterinarian.

Watching him gently care for an injured stray cat while sharing his clinic’s vision, I see a changed, compassionate man.

Our hands touch, a sizzling charge bolts through my fingers into my heart creating an undeniable attraction demanding attention.

Heated looks over coffee lead to secret kisses. It’s almost enough to think about leaving my city life for him.

I could lose my best friend if she knew I’ve fallen for her brother. I know he’s completely off limits, and I have no idea what Lisa will do if she finds out…but it might be worth the risk.