Page 121 of Pinch

“You’re doing a good job, K-man.” I give him a little wink.

He exhales a laugh. “You’re the only one who ever called me that.”

“You asked us to, and I promised.”

We’re standing inside the glass barrier, and I watch as my guy flies around the ice, so focused on helping make that last, tie-breaking point.

The Cliffs are huge players, and they play rough. It’s a true adrenaline rush to be this close to the action after sitting up high in the stands.

Everything is directly in front of us, which I don’t realize is a terrible thing until it happens.

I’m standing between my two cousins, holding their hands as we watch Gav, hot on a forward’s trail, gliding to the goal.

They’re right at the net, the forward slings his stick hard, going for the slap shot. Gavin puts his stick right in front to block it, and almost too fast to see, the black disc ricochets off the stick, flying into the air, and slamming into Gav’s face so hard, he drops like a tree.

“NO!” I scream so loudly, almost before I even register what’s happening.

“Oh, my God!” Gigi clutches my arm as my knees give out.

Knox helps me land in a nearby seat, but I think I might throw up or faint or both.

Blood spills onto the ice, and Gavin is not getting up. He’s crumpled on the ice as trainers swarm around him, checking his vitals, trying to get him on the stretcher.

He’s not moving. I can’t see his beautiful face. I can’t breathe.

Gigi and Knox do their best to hold me, but I’m frantic to get to him. Tears stream down my cheeks, and all I can think is he might not get up. I’ve heard of players being killed on the ice, and I have to get to him. I have to tell him not to leave me..

“What’s happening?” Patrick Knight is at the bench, talking to a trainer.

Knox kneels beside me, trying to calm me down, when another pair of arms circles my body. It’s my dad. His strong arms surround me, and he speaks in my ear.

“Come with me, baby girl.” His deep voice doesn’t soothe me like it usually does.

“He’s… Not…” I can’t finish my sentence. I’m shaking too hard.

My insides are a tight ball of fear and panic, but my dad holds me tight. “Come on, Haddy. I know where to go.”

32

Gavin

“That’s some ring.” Knox meets me in the locker room before I head out to play.

I’m holding a light blue velvet box from Tiffany’s with a crown-shaped engagement ring inside it.

Being with me and having our little girl cost Haddy one crown. I bought this ring to give her a new one, to make her my queen.

“You know what to do?” I study his face, and he nods, fully serious.

“I’ll get Gigi to help me.” He slaps my shoulder. “Don’t worry, bro. We’ll have her ready and waiting for you.”

“Where are they now?”

“She’s up in the stands with all the fam. They’re where Mav told us to sit.”

Nodding, I know exactly where they are, and I picture her in my jersey with all my family. I always play better when she’s watching, cheering us on. I like looking up andseeing her there, waving and dancing with Gigi, smiling and blowing kisses.

Okay, the kisses thing is new.