Page 29 of Puck’N Enemy (Thunder Knights #2)
Dylan
The scoreboard behind me declares our win in bold, flashing numbers, but I barely need it. My chest feels like it might explode from the sheer rush of it all—our victory, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins, and the crowd’s cheers, chanting for the Bears.
“Hell yeah, Red!” Reece yells, clapping me hard on the shoulder.
“Hat trick, baby!” another teammate whoops as we pour off the ice.
“Gonna have to start calling you Captain Clutch,” someone teases, bumping my shoulder as we head toward the locker room.
I grin widely despite my aching cheeks. It feels damn amazing to win a game after facing a tough team like the Rowan Devils. I high-five and fist-bump my teammates and shout as loudly as they do.
My heart continues to race with the sheer disbelief that we’d done it. That I’d done it. For once, I didn’t just play. I led.
My teammates are still laughing and reliving the last play as we get close to the locker room. As they herd in, my gaze falls on the tall, muscular hunk wearing a dark leather jacket.
Logan stands right before me, grinning. But he’s not alone. Mitchikov, Maddie, and Coach Becker are also with him.
“There’s our star,” Mitchikov calls out, his familiar smirk in place.
“Logan's been prowling around the arena like he owns the place,” Maddie adds, mock-whispering to me. “He doesn’t even go here, but he knows where all the good seats are and where the locker room is situated. You might as well play for the Bears now, Brother.”
“Hey, don’t say that,” Mitchikov says at once, looking serious. “The Knights can’t do without their captain.”
Coach Becker chuckles, enjoying their banter. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him looking so happy and energetic. I guess it was a good decision to invite him to the game tonight and let him enjoy a game from the bleachers instead of his living room couch.
My heart swells with a warm emotion. This moment feels so surreal, I have to bite my tongue to make sure I’m not dreaming.
I’ve walked off the ice so many times after a game that I’ve lost count. And for most of those, I watched my teammates meet their families, girlfriends, boyfriends, and friends. They all had people show up to cheer for them.
I never experienced that joy. No one’s ever been around to tell me I did a good job or to just be there for me. I may get an occasional pat from a coach, but that was it.
For the first time in my life, I have people waiting eagerly for me.
“You were incredible, Dylan,” Maddie says, hugging me around the middle. “You were the fastest and most handsome guy out there today. I can’t wait to tell my friends you’re dating my brother.”
A loud chuckle escapes me as I glance over at Logan, who’s shaking his head at his baby sister.
“Hey, she’s not wrong,” Mitchikov says with a half-proud, half-grudging look that’s just so him. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were showing off on the rink.”
I laugh. “Maybe a little.”
Coach Becker steps forward, his eyes misted with tears of pride and joy. “I remember the first time I saw you skate. You were all fury and no finesse. But tonight… You were an athlete out there. I hope you know that.”
Something tugs deep inside my chest. I didn’t expect to get choked up, especially after the high of winning a game. But hearing Coach’s praise just makes me melt all over.
This is the man who gave me a place on a high school team when I was just a scrappy foster kid with a bad attitude and no one to go home to.
He’s the one who helped me run from Knightswood to save me from Pete.
My coach is the one who gave me a second chance in life and taught me to start over again.
His praise means everything to me.
Stepping forward, Logan pulls me into a tight hug. “You were amazing,” he murmurs in my ear, his voice hoarse with emotion. “You were so damn good, Dyl. I’m so proud of you.”
I hold onto him tighter, not caring that I’m dripping with sweat. “Sorry, I’m gross but I just had to hug my boyfriend.”
His chest shakes with laughter. “Nah, you’re perfect.”
I quickly peck him on the lips because there are a lot of people around and I don’t want them clicking photos and making a big deal out of it. Pulling back a little, I meet his gaze. “This feels unreal.”
“What does?” he asks, still holding me by the waist like he isn’t planning on letting me go anytime soon.
I gesture toward Maddie and Mitchikov, who’re locked in a heated debate on who’s the second most handsome guy among the players tonight. I also glance at Coach Becker, who’s watching the whole scene with a happy grin on his face.
“Having all of you here feels so damn great,” I tell Logan. “It’s kind of the first time I have friends who’ve shown up to cheer for me.”
“If you keep paying for my ticket, I’ll show up to all your games,” Maddie says, grinning widely.
“Deal,” I say immediately.
“Hey, I’m always up for a game,” Mitchikov says, digging his hands into his pockets. “And you’re not too boring on the ice, so count on seeing me more often.”
Logan just smiles. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
I finally laugh, a little breathless with joy, and wipe my face with the back of my glove.
All my muscles are screaming for relief but I don’t care.
For the first time in my life, I’m not standing on the outside, watching others get cheered for.
They’re all here for me and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Several hours have passed since the game but my heart still hasn’t calmed down. Standing at the sink, I rinse the last of the dishes from the late-night dinner Maddie insisted on having instead of going to a restaurant.
Since Coach Becker has to be on a strict diet, I agreed to the idea of eating at home. This way, he can have the food I prepared for him earlier while the rest of us can indulge in pizzas and Chinese food.
The kitchen is littered with pizza boxes, half-eaten chicken wings, and empty soda cans but they just make me smile. For once, I was the center of the loud, messy dinner party instead of being the forgotten one. I was a part of their celebration and I enjoyed every bit of it.
When I’m done cleaning up, I dry my hands on a towel and go into the living room. Logan’s on the couch, half-asleep with his head tipped back and his long legs stretched out.
Mitchikov took Maddie home while Coach Becker headed to bed early. Only Logan’s still here with me, refusing to leave my side.
Quietly padding over to the couch, I stand quietly and simply watch him.
He’s so damn handsome and strongly built. My gaze roves over his muscular forearms and slides down his flat, muscled abs. He’s so damn sexy and mine , it makes my chest hurt. It’s the kind of ache that comes from loving someone too deeply.
“You’re staring,” Logan murmurs, his eyes still closed, a lazy smile tugging at his lips.
“Just making sure you’re not dreaming of your boyfriend.”
He cracks one eye open. “Why bother dreaming of him when I have him right here?” Suddenly reaching out, he grabs my wrist and pulls me down on the couch.
“Hey!” I gasp, falling on him.
Logan shifts to make room and tucks me against his side.
“I still feel high from the game,” I confess after a beat. “Not just because we won. But… everything.”
“You were incredible out there,” he says, running his fingers through my hair. “You skated so hard at times, you were a green blur on the ice.”
A chuckle escapes me but I go quiet the next moment. “I noticed the way Coach Becker was watching me. The way he smiled when I scored, I’ll never forget it.”
Logan’s hand pauses. “He’s proud of you, Dylan. We all are.”
“I know,” I say softly. “It’s just… new. You remember how it was before. After games in high school, I’d just sit alone in the locker room and wait until everyone left. There was no one to cheer for me or bring me snacks and juice. It was the same when I played hockey in Florida.”
“I remember those days,” Logan says in a grim tone. “I didn’t understand you at first but then, we became friends and I learned about everything. Since then, I’ve wanted to become your family and make you happy.”
“I got used to that life,” I tell him. “I thought that was just my place, you know?”
Logan nods, squeezing my hand.
“But today, you were there. Maddie, Mitchikov, and Coach, too. I didn’t feel like a ghost among my other teammates.”
Hooking a finger under my chin, he lifts my face until I meet his gaze. “You just needed the right people to find you. That’s all.”
His words make me swallow hard. “I’m so glad you saw me even when I didn’t want to be seen.”
“I’ll always be by your side,” he whispers. “No matter where you go. No matter what you do. I’ll always be the idiot screaming the loudest in the stands for you.”
A loud laugh escapes me. “Even when I’m old and out of shape?”
“Especially then.” He grins and leans in, brushing his lips over mine.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him closer for a deeper kiss.
He grunts, sliding his tongue through my parted lips. His fingers dig into my hair and pull hard at the strands, adding a touch of pain to the hot, molten pleasure washing over me.
I close my eyes, letting the warmth of Logan's touch soak into my skin. The taste of bitter coffee and sour candies floods my tongue, making me crave the familiarity of his kiss.
Logan leans heavily against me, making me feel the soreness in all my muscles. But I don’t stop kissing him.
Logan...is my prize. As long as he keeps looking at me like this, as long as I can keep coming home to this warmth, I know I’ve already won the greatest game of all.
“How about we go to bed?” he murmurs.
“Yeah, I need you to hold me tonight, okay?”
“Absolutely okay.”
Getting up from the couch, we head into my small bedroom.
A few groans and grunts escape me as I lie down on the bed and settle against Logan’s body. It’s going to be a few days before the bruises and injuries from the game heal and fade away.
“Sleep,” Logan whispers, pressing a kiss to the back of my neck. “I love you.”
In this quiet moment, wrapped up in Logan’s arms, I finally let go of every lonely night, every foster home, every ache I used to carry like armor. For the first time in my life, I don’t need to be tough and tell myself I don’t need love.
“I love you, too,” I murmur, closing my eyes.