The Perfect Shot

Chapter 11: Passion and Victory

Jack's POV

The final buzzer sounded, and the roar of the crowd echoed through the arena. We'd just secured a hard-fought win against the Penguins, and the feeling of victory was electric. As we skated off the ice, I could still feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins. The game had been intense, but we pulled it off, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for the team.

In the locker room, the energy was still high. The guys were celebrating, voices loud and filled with excitement. I peeled off my gear, feeling the weight of the game lift from my shoulders. As I reached for a towel, Nico approached me with a grin on his face.

"Jack, we're all heading out to celebrate tonight. You in?"

I nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Yeah, I'm in. Definitely need to blow off some steam after that game."

"Great. Should be a good time," Nico said before heading off to rally the rest of the guys.

I took my time in the shower, letting the hot water wash away the sweat and tension from the game. My muscles relaxed under the steady stream, and for a moment, I just let myself enjoy the quiet. The night ahead was promising, but I couldn't help but think about Stevie. She'd been on my mind a lot lately, and the thought of seeing her tonight sent a thrill of anticipation through me.

After drying off, I got dressed in a black button-up shirt and dark jeans, something casual but good enough for a night out. As I laced up my shoes, I grabbed my phone from my locker, noticing a new message waiting for me.

"Stevie: Congrats on the win, Jacky! You were amazing out there. Can't wait to celebrate tonight 😉."

My heart did a little flip at her words. I couldn't help but smile, feeling a rush of warmth spread through my chest. Just knowing she was thinking about me made everything better. I quickly texted her back, trying not to sound too eager.

"Jack: Thanks, Stevie. Can't wait to see you tonight 😉."

I grabbed my jacket and headed out to my car, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the heat of the locker room. As I drove to the club where everyone was meeting, I couldn't stop thinking about Stevie. The way she looked at me, the way she made me feel—it was all so new and exciting, and I couldn't wait to see where things might go.

When I arrived at the club, the place was already buzzing with life. Music thumped from inside, and a line of people waited to get in. But as soon as the bouncer saw me, he waved me through. Inside, the lights were dim, neon flashing in time with the beat of the music. I spotted Nico at the bar with a few of the guys, drinks in hand and laughter on their faces.

"There he is!" Nico called out when he saw me. "About time you showed up."

"Had to clean up after carrying you guys tonight," I joked, clapping him on the shoulder as I joined the group.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Hughes," Curtis teased, raising his glass to me.

We fell into easy conversation, the kind that always flowed after a good win. But even as we talked, my eyes kept darting to the door, waiting for Stevie to arrive. The anticipation was killing me, and I knew I wasn't going to relax until I saw her.

And then, like she had a perfect sense of timing, she walked in.

Stevie looked incredible. She was wearing red leather pants that hugged her curves in all the right places, a black halter tank top that was backless and showed just the right amount of cleavage, and a black leather jacket draped over her shoulders. The whole look was completed with black heeled boots that made her legs look even longer. She was a knockout, and I couldn't take my eyes off of her.