Page 137 of Don't Fall for the Goalie
My soul tries to leave my body for the second time today.
From behind me, Thelma says mildly, “The black lace was especially pretty.”
I freeze.
Gram’s eyes widen.
Slowly… dramatically… her head swivels toward me.
“He bought you lingerie?” she whispers.
Oh my God.
“No,” I repeat. “I mean, he did. But the panties Thelma is referring to are ones he stole... I mean?—”
Fuck.My face is on fire.
I stare at my feet, unable to look at Gram or Thelma.
“He stole your panties… then bought you more?” Gram repeats weakly, like she’s witnessing the greatest love story of her generation.
“I’m going to pass away,” I whisper.
Gram presses a hand to her chest. “This is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
Thelma is laughing so hard she has to lean against the counter.
I seriously consider throwing myself off the roof.
35
DALTYN
My lungs burn by the final drill.
Good. Maybe the exhaustion will knock some sense back into me.
Coach blows the whistle sharply as another wave of players resets across the ice. Sweat drips down my neck beneath my gear while I settle deeper into my crease.
Lock in.
A puck. A shot. A save.
That’s all this is supposed to be.
Nice and simple.
Easton cuts hard down the right side before snapping a quick pass toward Connor.
Connor immediately redirects it toward the net.
I stop it cleanly.
Jake crashes into the crease an instant later.
I shove him backward with my blocker.
“Jesus Christ,” Jake barks. “You trying to kill me?”
