The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Sixty-Three: Foul Play

The game had started off strong, with Riley and his team controlling the pace. They were up 3-1 at halftime, and everyone was riding the high. Alessia sat in the stands, watching from the sidelines with the rest of the crowd, a mix of excitement and nervous energy coursing through her. But as the second half started, it became clear the Hawks had shifted their strategy.

Riley noticed it almost immediately-they were targeting Avery, and it was more than just rough play. They were out for blood.

Avery took the puck near center ice, his smooth, almost graceful skating a testament to his years of figure skating. His movements were fluid, sharp, every stride powerful. But that didn't stop the Hawks. Two of their biggest players closed in on him fast, trapping him before he had a chance to pass. They slammed him into the boards, hard enough to shake the glass, and Alessia winced at the impact.

Avery winced, pushing himself off the boards, his breathing heavy. He shot a glare at Riley as if to say, I'm fine, but it was clear the Hawks weren't going to let up.

"Come on, ref!" Quinn bellowed from behind, but again, the whistle stayed silent. Avery, trying to stay focused, skated back into position, but his usually confident demeanor was off.

The puck dropped again, and Avery was back in play, but every time he touched the puck, the Hawks were on him, hitting harder, faster. He dodged one hit, then another, but Riley could see it-Avery was rattled.

The next time the puck came his way, Avery took off down the ice, his speed and finesse on full display. He weaved between two Hawks players like they were nothing, but then out of nowhere, a third player blindsided him, sending him sprawling onto the ice.

"Jesus!" Riley muttered under his breath, skating toward the pileup.

Avery groaned, pushing himself up slowly, one hand gripping his side. "What the hell is going on?" he muttered, his voice tight with pain. He glanced at Riley, his eyes wide with a mix of anger and fear. "They're trying to kill me out here."

Riley's jaw clenched. He skated closer to Avery, giving him a quick tap on the shoulder. "You alright, man?"

Avery nodded, but his face was pale, and his eyes flicked toward the Hawks. "Yeah... I'm good. But they're out for blood."

Riley turned his attention to the ref, his frustration building. "You gonna call anything?" he yelled, but the ref just skated past, seemingly oblivious.

Quinn, already fuming, skated up beside Riley. "We've gotta do something, or they're gonna tear Avery apart."

Riley nodded, his eyes locking on the Hawks players circling like vultures. He exchanged a glance with Beau, who was skating toward the blue line. There was no need for words; the look between them said it all-protect Avery at all costs.

The next few plays were a blur of chaos. Every time Avery touched the puck, at least two Hawks were on him, their sticks slashing, elbows flying. Riley and Quinn tried to block them off, but the Hawks were relentless, going after Avery with every dirty trick in the book.

Beau, meanwhile, was darting in and out of the play, his chaotic energy forcing the Hawks to lose their focus, if only for a moment.

"They're gunning for me, Riley," Avery gasped, skating toward the bench after another brutal hit. His usually calm voice was trembling slightly, though he tried to hide it. "I don't know how much more I can take."

Riley's eyes flicked to Beau, who was already back on the ice, circling like a predator, ready to pounce. "Just hang in there, Avery. We've got your back."

A few minutes later, another brutal collision sent Avery sprawling, and this time Quinn snapped. He charged toward the nearest Hawk, shoving him with enough force to send him crashing into the boards.

Finally, the whistle blew.

"That's on you, Quinn!" the ref barked, signalling a foul against Riley's team. Quinn skated off to the penalty box, his face flushed with anger and frustration. Riley cursed under his breath, but there was no time to dwell on it-they had to regroup.

Alessia leaned forward in her seat, her hands gripping the edge of the bench as the tension on the ice ramped up. She could feel the intensity from where she sat, watching as the game devolved into something more brutal.

Beau, meanwhile, was skating toward the Hawks' goal, his eyes burning with determination. Riley exchanged a quick glance with him, their silent connection sparking as it always did. For a split second, Riley couldn't help but admire the way Beau moved, how determined and intense he looked, how... hot he was, especially when he was this fired up. But Riley quickly shook the thought away, focusing on the game.

They had to get Avery out of the line of fire, and they had to win.

Riley charged down the ice, weaving through the Hawks' defense with a ferocity that caught them off guard. Beau was in perfect position again, wedging himself between two defenders. Riley sent a quick, sharp pass, and in the blink of an eye, Beau snapped his wrist, firing the puck past the goalie and into the net.

Goal.

The arena erupted, and for a split second, everything felt right. Beau spun around, his grin wide, and locked eyes with Riley. The connection between them was impossible to ignore. Beau's face flushed with adrenaline, his usual humor fading into something deeper, more intense. Riley felt it too-the chemistry between them, the way they moved together, the way they fit.

But the game wasn't over yet. The Hawks were furious, still gunning for Avery, still playing dirty.

Quinn and Riley skated back toward center ice, determination in their eyes. This wasn't just about winning anymore; it was about protecting their teammate. And they weren't going to let the Hawks get away with this.