Page 25 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie (Second Chance Hockey Players #2)

Chapter seventeen

Whitney

S urprise at myself is what I feel.

Who would’ve thought that I - the same person who swore up and down that I wouldn’t stay in Autumn Cove for long - am now almost clocking a month? Well…, three weeks, but still.

And ever since that night…! The night we kissed again, things were, um…, different. Not in a ‘we’re-back-together’ kind of way because - well, just because. But also, not in a ‘we’re-just-friends’ kind of way either. It’s been…, awkward, flirty, sneaky-eyed, and just - ugh.

Nina, bless her dramatic soul, nearly lost her mind when I told her Blake and I kissed again.

Her exact words: Girl, don’t play with me.

You did WHAT?AGAIN?? I can still hear her screams of anger and excitement and fangirling.

Honestly, in just 20 minutes, she gave me various whiplashes with her here-and-there emotions and thought processes.

And amidst all that, there’s the wedding prep. My brother’s big day is fast approaching, and somehow, I’ve been roped into more tasks than I originally signed up for.

Not that I mind. Much.

I mean, I love Keith. He’s my brother, and if he’s happy, I’m happy. But between flower arrangements, cake tastings, and helping Laura make last-minute decisions, I’m starting to feel like I should be getting paid for this.

“Oh, and don’t forget,” Laura had said over coffee the other morning, her face glowing with that soon-to-be-bride mix of exhaustion and excitement.

“We need to finalize the seating chart by next week. And you have to make sure Blake actually gets fitted for his tux this time. He missed his last two appointments.”

I had almost spit out my drink. “Why is that my responsibility?”

Laura had smiled sweetly. “Well, you are watching his kids and technically living with him. So, it’s safe to assume that he listens to you.”

I had snorted. “That is a bold assumption.”

Anyway.

Right now, I’m sitting on the bleachers with Mia, Nico, Keith, and Liam’s wife, Hazel, for the first division of the playoffs. Hazel, by the way, looks insanely stunning for someone who just had a baby. If I didn’t like her so much, I’d be jealous.

The energy in the stadium is electric . The crowd buzzes around us, the smell of popcorn in the air, conversations here and there, and the pounding bass of the pre-game music vibrating through the stands.

Oh boy, oh boy… Everyone is pumped. Both our fans and the fans of the other team.

I glance down at our outfits and grin in satisfaction. I may have sweet-talked (read: bullied) Keith into joining my Get Ready With Me (GRWM) video this morning. Mia and Nico loved every second of it.

I’m wearing a cropped Avalanche team jersey with skinny jeans and my comfiest sneakers, while Keith is rocking a black and gold custom hoodie with Blake’s Biggest Hater / Supporter plastered across the front because, as he put it, “Support is important, but keeping him humble is a necessity.

Nico is rocking a mini version of Blake’s jersey with little hockey skates printed on the front. And Mia? Her jersey is oversized and knotted at the waist, paired with leggings and tiny sneakers. She looks adorable.

A perfectly coordinated game-day look.

The game is about to start, and the kids are practically bouncing off the bleachers with excitement. “There he is!” Mia squeals, waving frantically.

“Daddy!” Nico shouts, pointing toward the rink.

Mia waves both arms. “Daaaaaddy!”

Blake turns in our direction and lifts two fingers in a lazy salute.

Keith leans in. “He always thinks he’s so cool.”

I snort. “Cooler than you are apparently.”

Keith gasps dramatically. “Excuse you. I am your brother.”

“Exactly.”

Keith gasps again in mock offense. “Wow. Disrespect. And for my best friend.”

“It’s called honesty.”

“I should smack you for that.”

I tilt my head, daring him. “Try it, and I’ll…”

Before I can react, he flicks me on the forehead.

“Hey!” I reach up to smack him back, but the sharp sound of the whistle cuts through the arena, making me pause.

Keith grins, leaning back. “Saved by the whistle. Chance missed.” He sticks his tongue out like a literal five-year-old.

“Guilty.”

Hazel laughs beside us. “You two are ridiculous,” then her attention back to the game blowing a kiss to Liam who winks…

Aww… how sweet.

My gaze drifts to Blake. He’s standing tall at the goal crease, shifting from side to side, eyes locked in my direction.

Our eyes met for a beat; I said good luck and was answered with a nod and a beautiful smile.

Most of the girls behind and below me all squealed in excitement and the usual ‘He nodded and smiled at me’ argument.

Classic.

A little while later, it’s game on.

The puck drops, and the energy explodes. The Avalanche face off against the Blue Hawks, and within seconds, bodies are crashing against the boards, sticks clashing, skates cutting hard into the ice.

The Avalanche won the faceoff, sending the puck back to their defense. Quick, controlled passes. A clean breakout up the right wing. One of our forwards dangles past a defenseman, skates cutting sharp lines as he maneuvers around a Blue Hawks defender.

Keith grips the edge of his seat beside me.

Hazel’s clutching her camera, taking pictures when she can, one of her arms wrapped around Mia, who’s sat on her lap while Nico is beside me, happily munching on a pretzel and clapping.

The kids might not understand every detail of the game, but they feel the excitement in the air.

A Blue Hawks winger gets the puck and speeds down the left side, maneuvering past our defense.

My stomach tightens. The shot is fast, I almost missed it, but Blake is faster.

He drops low, blocking the shot with his pads, and the puck bounces off, sliding behind the net.

Blake just made his first big save of the night.

The crowd erupts in cheers, a few groans from the visiting section.

I jump to my feet, screaming. “YES! THAT’S MY…” I catch myself before I say my man. Keith throws me a look. Instead, I clear my throat and clap harder. “Let’s go, Avalanche!”

“Daddy blocked it!” Nico bounces.

“That’s my guy!” Keith beams.

It was a tough game from then on; after all, it’s the best-of-7 qualifying series for the Kelly’s Cup and both teams want it. Hard hits, lightning-fast passes, and nerve-wracking saves keep everyone on edge.

In the next 50 minutes, the score is 4-3, with Avalanche on the win, obviously.

Six more minutes.

The tension in the arena is suffocating. Every time the Blue Hawks push forward, every Avalanche fan holds their breath. Every time Blake makes a save, the crowd explodes. Every second that ticks down feels like an eternity.

With five minutes left, the Hawks, desperate to tie it up, are pressing hard .

“They’re gonna pull their goalie,” Keith mutters beside me, hands on his head.

Sure enough, with five minutes left, the Hawks’ bench signals. Their goalie skates off. Extra attacker. The crowd noise swells with nervous energy - half cheers, half anxiety.

“Oh, come on,” Keith mutters, shaking his head. “Blake, better hold that line.”

The Hawks cycle the puck with surgical precision - left boards, back to the point, quick pass to the slot - shot!

THUMP! Off Blake’s chest - the rebound kicks out. Another shot - a diving block from Liam - puck squirts loose - third shot - SAVE! Blake snags it with his glove, the crowd roaring.

“YES!” Hazel and I leap to our feet.

Seeing him like this - in his element, fierce and focused - hits me with a wave of nostalgia. High school games. Same intensity. Same guy. Different life.

Two minutes. Oh no! A turnover.

The Avalanche steals the puck. An open net at the other end.

Our center rips a shot from beyond the blue line…

The puck slides…

Please. Please. Please.

My eyes follow the puck as it slides.

Please.

Bam.

Silence. Somehow, everywhere is silent.

Is it in? It’s…. it’s… in??

It’s in.

Goal.

5-3. Game over.

The stadium explodes. Fans jump, scream, throw their arms up. Keith yanks me into a hug before lifting Mia onto his shoulders. Hazel claps, beaming as Liam skates toward Blake, slamming a glove against his helmet in victory.

I glance at Blake, heart pounding. He’s grinning, laughing, triumphant. His teammates surround him, celebrating. But in the middle of it all, he turns…

And finds me.

His gaze lingers. Not just for a second - longer.

My chest tightens.

I should look away.

I don’t.

We meet the players near the tunnel.

Nico and Mia bolt toward Blake, who’s just pulled off his helmet, damp and messy hair. Nico reaches him first, arms flung wide. Blake scoops both kids up effortlessly.

“Daddy, you were sooo cool!” Mia beams, bouncing in his grip.

Nico nods furiously. “You were like - BOOM!” He waves his arms dramatically, mimicking one of Blake’s saves.

Blake chuckles, pressing a kiss to Mia’s hair. “Yeah? You think so?”

“The coolest,” Mia declares, grinning.

Keith claps him on the back. “Hey, buddy. Good game.” He smirks. “I would have hugged you, but I see my god kids have already occupied the space.”

Blake laughs. “Thanks. But we’re not done yet. You know we only qualify if we win four out of seven.”

Keith shrugs. “I’ve got faith. You’ve got this in the bag. After all, we’ve got the best goalie in our corner.”

Blake shakes his head.

A few feet away, Hazel throws herself into Liam’s arms, kissing him soundly. The group groans. “For the love of - get a room.”

Liam just grins against her lips. “Already got one.”

Cute.

I clear my throat, stepping closer. “Congratulations.”

Blake shifts his gaze to me, his expression unreadable for a beat. Then, he smiles and nods. “Thanks.” His voice is rougher, lower.

The air feels heavier all of a sudden.

Keith, ever the lifesaver, slings an arm around my shoulders. “All right, enough of this. We should go for dinner later - on me.”

Blake arches a brow. “On you? That’s new.”

Keith scoffs. “Don’t get used to it.”