Spiral (Off the Ice, #2) (64)

There are a lot of questions in my head, but all of them go unanswered because Summer is already up and yelling at the refs as the game continues.

Elias does not like me. If he did, he would have at least kissed me by now. The only time he’s said he likes me was when I was a blubbering mess in his bathroom. He practically had to say it then.

For the rest of the game, I’m stewing in my thoughts, but I’m pulled right out when there’s a breakaway. The arena echoes with the crowd’s roar, and Elias surges forward, hungry for what he knows is his. I’m stiff with anticipation, willing him to succeed. He seems different, a new purpose behind his blades as he sprints forward.

The puck is glued to his stick, then he releases a wrist shot that cuts through the air, and time suspends just as the horns blare.

He scored. Elias scored his first career goal.

The crowd behind me goes ballistic. My heart pounds, and my scream is so loud I know my throat is going to be sore tomorrow. We bang against the plexiglass and watch as Elias does a short lap around the side of the rink. When he sees Summer and me waving at him, he cracks a smile. He bumps against the glass, putting his gloved hand right where mine meets the plexi, and even with the barrier I feel the warmth of his touch.

When he’s skating away, his teammates pile on top of him. My eyes blur with tears, especially when the Jumbotron shows the executive suite where my uncle fails to celebrate, but I know he’s happy.

In the remaining two periods, Elias manages to score two more times with an assist from Aiden and a surprising one from Owen. The hat trick sends the crowd into a frenzy, and I’m celebrating with anyone and everyone, knocking over bags of popcorn and tripping out of my seat. Summer and I are hugging each other by the end of it, and I can feel the energy of the crowd vibrating through me.

Elias has worked so hard. I’ve seen him beating himself up over not having the goal and how the media treats him. But now it all feels worth it. It’s a middle finger to everyone who doubted him.

While the arena slowly empties, Summer pulls me down a narrow hall toward the dressing rooms. She hasn’t let go of my arm, and it makes me smile. The security guards greet us, and we easily move through to wait for the guys. My earlier anxiety practically disappears as I hear the way everyone talks about Elias. It’s a little late, but I couldn’t be happier that he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves.

When Elias finally appears in the hall, I can’t help but jump. This is huge, and even if he’s not wearing a smile, I’ll wear one for him.

“You did it!”

He pulls the strap of his bag higher on his shoulder, and he surveys the jersey I’m wearing. But even though there’s a flicker of something behind his eyes, he only gives me a tight smile in response. It pricks at my chest that he’s not happy, so I tiptoe to wrap my arms around his neck and pull him in for a hug. He stumbles, not touching me at all, but I don’t let it deter the strength of my grip.

“I’m proud of you,” I whisper into his neck, squeezing him tightly.

Then with a deep, rumbling sigh, he slides his arms around my waist and lifts me off my feet. “Thank you,” he says softly and puts me down way too soon.

Socket pops out of the locker room and slaps a hand on Elias’s back. “Drinks on you. That was one hell of a first goal.”

“Well worth the wait,” says Aiden, grinning wide as he ruffles a hand through Elias’s overgrown hair.

Elias shrugs Aiden off, fixing his hair, as if it could look any better.

“I’d say you had your good luck charm,” Summer says, bumping me with her shoulder.

Elias’s expression is blank. “Send me the bill. I’m going to head home.”

Socket steps in front of him. “You’re not getting off the hook that easily. It’s your first goal, and you know the rules.”

“He’s right, Eli. You gotta pay your dues. We all did.” Aiden turns to the group of guys gathered in the hallway. “Drinks at our place. Everyone’s invited.”

My gaze darts to Elias, who appears resigned and nods. The guys holler and pat him on the back as they pile into their cars to follow us to the apartment. Aiden and Summer head to the car, and Elias finally moves when the hallway clears out.

I can’t handle the sudden silent treatment. I won’t stand here and let him get away with this sulky act of misery. Especially not on the biggest night of his rookie career.

When he opens the passenger-side door for me, I start to say something, but with both his friends in the car I remain silent.

There’s a sinking feeling in my stomach when he shuts my door. As we pull out of the parking lot, Elias stops to sign a few autographs out his window first.

“Sign my forehead!”

“Can you say hi to my son? He loves you.”

Elias happily obliges all their requests, making small talk that he had to have learned in media training. Though he’s got a reputation for being the quiet golden boy, so I assume everyone knows how he is. But he handles it all with aplomb.

A few of them say hi to Summer and me. One young girl lights up when she notices I’m in the car. “Your performance in last year’s Giselle was beautiful!”

I’m so shocked, it takes me a full beat to process what she’s said. Elias turns to me, gauging my reaction. He wears a faint, proud smile.