Not So Broken (West Coast College Book 3)

Chapter 25

Cameron

Warmups used to be my least favourite thing about hockey.

When I was young, I took them way too seriously. Focused, determined. I wanted to show the team we were going up against that I meant business. That we meant business.

Boringgg.

Now, warmups are where I fucking shine.

I love them. I love going around and playing tag with Tyler, messing with Noah when he's trying to concentrate (it's how I usually end up with bruised ribs) and it's even better knowing Ava's in the crowd tonight.

Ava told me earlier how she hadn't been to a game in years and how she wanted to watch me play.

Me. She wants to watch me play. Mind fucking blown.

And she's wearing one of my old jerseys. Mind double fucking blown.

Sure, Coach Miller doesn't like me fooling around in warmups but no matter how many times I do it, the other team always thinks less of us because of it.

And it always, always gives us the upper hand. All because I like to fool around with Tyler and play hide-and-seek.

Who would have thought? I snicker.

But guess who's winning 3-0 in the first period?

Definitely the Alberta Golden Bears. Not.

I've been playing the game of my absolute life tonight, mostly because I think Ava is sitting directly beside the penalty box, her eyes focused on the ice as the first period comes to an end.

As soon as the buzzer goes and the fans start hustling up the stairs towards the concession, she flinches.

It's barely there but I notice the way her nose scrunches and her eyes close, her chest rising as she takes a deep breath.

She does have her hearing aids in-I saw her adjusting them during warm up-so I know the loud noises coming from the jumbotron and excited fans are really affecting her. She'll just never admit it.

It's been two days since Noah's party. That was the second time Ava fell asleep curled up against me, her head tucked under my chin. God, that was the best feeling in the world.

Rhys told me that Liam only falls asleep against him or Maeve because they're the only ones he feels safe and vulnerable enough with to fall asleep with.

With that in mind, I really hope I'm becoming that safe place for Ava. One where she knows she can be as vulnerable as she needs to be and I will never judge her for it.

Period two comes and goes with us in the lead going into period three. I'm called up for the face-off and as a center, I can move more freely than my wingers as I can play the entire ice.

My main job as a center is to move. Doesn't matter if it's scoring a goal or completing passes, I just have to be moving, skating.

I also have the job of distracting the opponent's defenders, which I'm currently doing right now as I slap his stick with mine.

Hockey stick. Not our dicks.

Rhys is currently on the ice with me as my right winger, Jackson as my left. Mike is in goal like always, with Tyler and Seth as my defensemen.

Rhys passes the puck smoothly through the guys leg so I take the shot, watching it fly through Alberta's defence and sail into the net past their goalie, who drops his head in shame when it bounces off the mesh.