Page 112 of Pinch

I need to tell him right now.

30

Gavin

It’s a tough game against San Jose. The Killer Whales have come for blood, and it’s clear they’ve been studying all of Mav’s and my well-oiled sneak-attacks. We’re getting nothing past them tonight.

I try to go in for the pinch, and their right winger slips by me, stealing the puck away and scoring right through the hole I’ve left vacant. He moves so fast, Saxon doesn’t have any time to cover for me.

We’re in the third period, and it’s 1-0, Whales ahead. Mav gives me the signal to try the Tic-Tac-Goal, and I slip away to try and snatch the puck from their forward. It’s our twist on the usual odd man rush. I’m the fastest skater and an aggressive defender.

I race forward to steal it from their winger, but he’s a big guy and knows I’m coming. Before I can reach in for the puck, he slams me against the boards and changes direction.

“Fuck,” I yell, doing my best to get back in there whenanother Whale, Number 67, comes by and slams me into the boards again.

It was an unnecessary hit, and I’m after that asshole, flying down the ice in his direction. He has the balls to spin around and push his stick at me, slamming me against the boards again, but I grab a hold of his jersey and punch him in the side of the helmet.

Whistles go off all around us, and Mav is at my side, body-checking 67 into the boards. Saxon is with us now, yelling, and a straight up brawl breaks out with the linesmen rushing in to pull us apart.

Mav and 67 go down on the ice, but the linesmen are on them. Donovan grabs me by the pads, pulling me away from the fray, but I’m hot around the collar. I’m mad we’re losing, and I’m pissed at that guy for taking a shot at me.

“Let it go. It’s over.” Our captain’s voice is low in my ear, and I’m doing my best to breathe it out.

Mav is still in there, and I know he’s as fired up as I am that we haven’t been able to score tonight. He takes it personally, which I get. He’s the face guy of the team at the moment.

The linesmen are sorting it out, deciding who’s going to the penalty box, when I look over and see Haddy standing just outside the glass beside our bench.

She’s wearing my sweater, and she’s jumping up and down, patting her hand on the plastic guard. It looks like she’s crying, and my stomach drops to the ice. I push out of Donovan’s grip, skating full-speed to where she’s standing.

I barely register what’s going on behind me or us getting possession of the puck again. Coach sends another player in for me, and I jump over the boards, ripping off my helmet and throwing my gloves and stick behind the bench.

I’m a sweaty mess, but I have to know why she’s here. Ihave to know what’s wrong, if she’s okay, if the baby’s okay. I don’t give a fuck about anything else.

Stepping through the door to the stands, I pull her into my arms. “Are you okay?” My tone is desperate, and I’m touching her stomach, moving her hair back. “Did something happen?”

The baby must be okay, or she’d be at the hospital. I’m so confused.

I don’t care that all eyes are on us right now, along with all the phones, the cameras, the jumbotron…

“She lied to me, Gavin.” She hesitates, taking a deep breath. “I came straight here. I just got off the phone with her, and she told me everything.”

“Karen?” I don’t know who else it could be. Haddy nods quickly, and I cup her face, wiping her tears away with my thumbs. “I told you that, Princess.”

“But I didn’t believe you.” A hiccup interrupts her words, and fresh tears coat her cheeks. “I should’ve believed you.”

“You were being a good friend.” My voice is raised so she can hear me. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay!” She shakes her head. “Rob burned me and I was too afraid to trust you, but I should’ve trusted you. I should’ve trusted you the night you asked me to… because… because I love you.”

It hits me like a fist of happiness right in the chest.

“What did you say?” I shout over the noise of the arena.

I heard her, but I want to hear it one more time just to be sure—and because it feels really damn good.

She raises her voice, shouting as well. “I said I love you, Gavin Knight!”

Holding the back of her head, I pull her face to mine for a kiss. Our lips part, and she clutches my shoulder pads. Our tongues curl, but I can’t keep the smile off my face.