He passed it to Seth who took off with it before passing to Arlo. Arlo swung toward the goal.

“Shit,” Bromann muttered as the goalie blocked it and the puck bounced straight to Braxton. He used a slap shot, crouched perfectly, hard hit, and yes!

The buzzer went off and I was on my feet next to Bromann, our gloves pounding against the wall.

“That’s it! Damn straight, Brax!”

He skated by us grinning and as he did, wiped faux sweat off the front of his cage.

Yeah. He knew he needed that too.

The game ticked down in time, and San Jose never managed to get another goal. We clamored off to the locker room, high on our first win on the road and how the team played.

We were doing it. Executing every single play we needed and so far, we’d kept control of every game, every possession. We’d had few errors and even fewer unnecessary penalties.

This was the kind of team talent and focus that could take us all the way to holding that cup again.

I knocked my stick against the wall for good luck and headed to the locker room.

As soon as I reached my locker, I grabbed my phone. Habit, from years of being with Ava and my parents and sister always watching my games. There were always texts before I got back to the lockers, whether it was bitching about my play, worried if I’d been hurt, or congratulating me.

I ignored the ones from my mom and dad and Heather, because Emmersyn had texted.

A grin split my face before I could hide it.

Great game. Good win. Also, I liked those pre-game stretches.

She ended the text with a wink and a wineglass, which made me hesitate in my reply. Was she playing this off as being drunk?

Who gave a shit. I was pretty certain I’d made myself clear before I left, which meant I didn’t think she’d mind a little flirty texting.

After all, she started it.

Just wait and soon you can learn how flexible I am in person. Get some sleep. You’ll need it.

I tossed my phone back into my locker and tugged off my helmet. As I shook out my hair, I caught Dom looking at me, an odd look on his face.

“What?”

“You’re smiling.” He pointed at my face. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that kind of smile on you.”

“Shut up.” I slapped his hand away with my glove and tore them off. “I smile.”

“Yeah, but that’s a happy smile. Not sure you’ve known what that is for some time. Married life treating you well, huh?”

I tried to scowl. Failed.

Dom laughed his ass off and turned to his locker area.

“What is this?” I asked. “Getting me back for the shit I gave you about Holly?”

“Nope. I don’t think I need to give you any shit. You’ll figure things out on your own.”

I started to ask him, yeah? Like what things? But I didn’t need to actually discuss anything.