Twisted Collide: The new sports romance in the Redville Saints series
Twisted Collide: Chapter 40

With eight minutes left in the first period, the St. Louis Knights take the puck to the center line and then dump it into our zone as they make a full line change.

My gaze darts around the rink, landing on the puck behind our net. With a quick glance and a silent exchange, Mason stops the puck, setting it up for me to start our attack.

My stick darts out, and then I bring the puck around our net. Pivoting sharply, I pass it up the right side to Hudson, who’s on our blue line.

It’s up to him now to start our attack.

Hudson skates past the center line and decides to dump the puck into the Knights zone.

Aiden chases the puck deep into the zone while Wolfe and I skate to the blue line. My lungs burn, but I can’t think about that now. This is our shot.

When Aiden gets the puck, he passes it to Wolfe at the right side of the circle, and then Wolfe passes to me for a one-timer.

Fuck.

The Knight’s goalie makes a leg pad save.

Then I see Hudson. He’s there, going for the rebound.

His arm pulls back, and he shoots, stuffing the puck in the net.

The crowd’s noise is deafening. They cheer and chant as Hudson just scored the first goal of the game.

Fuck yeah.

Nothing beats this.

The excitement. The thrill. The team.

Sometimes, playing hockey is bittersweet, but never when I’m on the ice. When I’m on the ice, I feel like I found a home.

I search the crowd for her. Narrowing my gaze as I stare at a sea of faces.

Section by section, I look.

But I don’t see any familiar faces. Not even Molly.

Where is she? All the details blend, and I blink my eyes.

Then, like a rope is tethered between us, my gaze lands on hers. The roar of the fans fades away as I watch her.

She smiles brightly. A smile so intense it reaches her eyes. I see nothing but pride, filling me with this strange feeling.

Happiness.

It’s beautiful.