Page 155 of Wild Card 13

“She has a smell.”

“Character.”

“Biohazard.”

I found what I was looking for, wrapped loosely in a towel because I had stolen it off the locker room cart before Coach could notice.

The overtime puck looked ordinary in my palm. Ridiculous how something that small could hold a whole night. I turned and held it out to her.

Lucy stared at it. Then at me. Her mouth parted slightly. “Ty.”

“It’s yours.”

Her eyes snapped up. “No, it isn’t.”

“Pretty sure I just said it was.”

“You scored the overtime winner with that.”

I shrugged, trying to look casual even though my chest had gone tight again. “I was there. I remember.”

She looked down at the puck again, and something in her facechanged. Softened. Opened. Her fingers closed around it carefully, like I had handed her something breakable instead of a chunk of frozen rubber that had survived being slapped around by teenage boys. “You’re really giving me this?”

I nodded.

“Why?”

“Because you’re my good-luck charm.”

Lucy’s expression turned dry instantly, even though her eyes were too bright. “You scored because you’re talented.”

“Also luck.”

“And because Mase yelled for the puck so obnoxiously that an entire defensive pair turned toward him in self-defense.”

“That helped.”

She laughed, then looked down at the puck again. She held it against her chest with both hands. “I’m so proud of you.”

For a few seconds, the parking lot disappeared. Then she whispered, “What did they say?”

I pulled back enough to see her face. “Fargo wants a meeting after the season. Camp invite. Maybe Phase II in May if they like where things go.”

Her eyes widened. “And St. Croix?”

“They’re still interested,” I said.

Lucy’s fingers tightened around the puck. “They said after graduation?” she asked.

“Maybe.” I leaned back against Betsy because standing still was suddenly impossible. “I mean, nothing’s decided. We still have state. Camp. The whole draft thing.”

Her mouth twitched.

“Shortcake.” I reached for her hand. “We’ll figure it out.”

Her eyes searched mine.

“I’m not saying that like some dumb thing people say because they want to make the moment easier.” I stepped closer. “If Fargo happens, it’s not that far.”