Page 64 of Switching Skates

“Nice block, Colson!” Assistant Coach Ames yells as he skates to the bench to change with the next line’s defenseman while he recovers from that pain.

Ten seconds later, we sink the puck into the back of their net and celebrate.

The next two hours of practice fly by, and while I’m exhausted when we finish, I’m pulsing with excitement. Today’s a big day for a lot of reasons. Daphne and I are finally free from … whatever that was. And it’s the first official day of Mammoths hockey.

We need to celebrate. Maybe I’ll cook dinner tonight for Maeve and Daphne, go all in and make something special. Secretly, I’ve spent the last week studying how to live with celiacs and how in-depth everything is. I’m going to cook something that’ll blow her mind because it’s so good.

As I head out to my truck, I shoot Maeve a quick text.

Me: I’m making dinner for everyone tonight. Question: what should I make for you and Daphne?

A moment later, she replies.

Maeve: Ooh,dinner, huh? Who are you trying to win points with? Me or Daph?

Me: Both? A thanks for letting me crash at your place for a bit. Which I might want for a little longer. Not sure yet.

Maeve: Ugh, so needy, but fine. As long as Daphne’s cool with it. As for dinner, make Chinese food. I know it might sound weird, but it’s one of those things that she can’t get anymore and craves the most. Orange chicken is her favorite.

Done. Easy enough. And I already know what I’m going to make for dessert for her. She always ordered it as a kid. As for the Chinese food, I’m guessing she’s had a hard time finding it or she didn’t want to make it herself. Regardless, this is about to be the best damn orange chicken out there.

I’ll make a quick pit stop at the store before heading home and prepping everything. I am on a mission to earn her trust back—and maybe her heart along the way too.

Daphne has been out of the house the entire afternoon, and I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been eating me alive, not knowing where she is. But Maeve assured me that she would be home in time for dinner, so I just have to take her word for it and try not to drown in my thoughts.

Everything smells amazing and is nearly done when Daphne finally walks through the door, looking ungodly hot in a cropped NMU T-shirt and jeans. I want to stare at her and never stop.

She kicks her shoes off and finally looks up, locking eyes with me. “Oh, hi.”

Is she being weird? Or is that just my anxiety projecting? Great, now I’m overthinking everything.

“Hi!” I say a bit too excitedly.Idiot.

She breathes in deeply as she walks into the kitchen and leans against the island countertop. “That smells amazing. Like, mmm, orange chicken.”

I shake the pan, mixing the stir-fry. “That’s because it is.”

“Ugh,” she groans and sighs. “I’m so jealous.”

I smirk with my back to her. “Don’t be. It’s gluten-free.”

“No, it’s not!” she gasps.

I turn around, finding her jaw on the floor and stars in her eyes as she takes a couple of steps toward me.

A mix of pride and giddiness blooms inside of me. “It is. Orange chicken. Stir-fry. And even a gluten-free dessert.”

She sucks in a sharp breath. “Don’t mess with me right now, Mason.”

A laugh bubbles out of me, and I turn back to the stove, turning the burners off. “I’m serious. Now grab a plate. It’s ready.”

She runs up behind me and wraps her arms around my waist, and I freeze in place, my heart beating out of my chest.

I don’t know whether to stay still or spin around and pick her up, never letting her go again.

I opt for the latter, not wanting to scare her away. She can hold me as long as she wants, but I’m not moving.

“Thank you.” Her voice is muffled into the back of my hoodie.