Shot on Goal

by Jami Davenport

  “Yeah, I’d love to.”

  “Good, I’ll send you a pair of tickets.”

  “Sounds wonderful. I’m leaving now. Call me if you need to talk. I’m here for you.” She bent and kissed his cheek then stole out the door like a thief in the night, taking his heart with her. He watched her go, comforted in knowing this wasn’t goodbye.

  Not yet, anyway.

  * * * *

  The next day Drew joined his mother for lunch. His father was busy with appointments, so it was just the two of them. He met her at a small café near the practice facility. They were used to seeing Sockeyes players in there, so other than a few high fives and an ovation by the customers when he walked in, they mostly left him alone.

  His mother was late as usual. She believed in making an entrance rather than being on time. He’d come to accept her quirks over the years.

  They made small talk until their lunch was delivered, but Drew had the definite impression his mother had an agenda. He waited her out, knowing she’d eventually get to it.

  He’d eaten the last bite of his sandwich before his mother put down her spoon and cleared her throat. Here it came, whatever it was.

  “You played an inspired game last night. What’s changed?” His mother’s seemingly innocent question had underlying connotations, and he had a good clue what those might be.

  “Are you asking me who my inspiration might be?”

  “If that’s how you want to answer the question.” She was being coy, but he knew her damn well.

  “I was with Marina the night before.”

  “I see.” His mother closed her eyes for a moment, as if the thought pained her.

  “I know what you’re thinking. She’s not doing the reality show. Never was.”

  “That’s good for you and our family and the team.”

  “She’s taking a job in Montreal.” His voice cracked as he said the fatal words, causing his mother to narrow her eyes and study him closely.

  “And that bothers you, doesn’t it?”

  “Yeah.” He’d never had a true heart-to-heart with his mother, so he treaded lightly and prepared himself for a lecture once she extracted the necessary information from him. “I don’t want to lose her, but I can’t hold her back. She loves me, Mom.”

  “And you love her?”

  “You know I do.” He took a risk and continued, hoping for once he could get some decent advice from his mother without being peppered with her personal biases against Marina. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “What does your heart tell you to do?”

  “Stop her from going, but then I’d be doing the same thing she didn’t want to do to me. I’d be stopping her from following her dreams.”

  “It seems you have a dilemma.”

  “More than one. I’m not sure I want to play hockey after this season. I have another job opportunity that intrigues me, but it’s in Seattle, too.”

  “But you’re playing so well. You just played the best hockey of your life, and you seemed to enjoy it.” His mother wasn’t surprised by his admission, or even upset. More matter of fact.

  “I know. That’s what makes this doubly hard. I don’t want to do the wrong thing.”

  “I wish I could tell you what to do, but your father and I have done too much of that in the past. This is your decision, but rest assured we’ll stand by you whatever you choose. We’re proud of you no matter what you do.” She paused and winked at him. “But it’d be wonderful if you won that Cup before you took off on the next phase of your life.”

  “Yeah, it would.” He smiled back.

  “We’re here, Drew. I know you’re probably a little nervous to ask for our support considering our track record, but we’ve had a long, hard talk, and we’re trying hard to be better, especially your dad. You’re all we have, and we don’t want to lose you.”

  “That means a lot to me.” He was choking up. Ducking his head, he pretended to struggle getting his wallet out of his back jeans pocket.

  Cassandra stood, leaned down, and kissed his cheek. “We love you. Now kick some ass tomorrow night. We’ll be there screaming ourselves hoarse.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” He smiled at her, his vision somewhat blurry as he watched her stroll from the room.

  “And, Drew, follow your heart. The heart always knows the right path.”

  * * * *

  Marina checked the peephole and yanked the door open when she saw it was Drew. How opportune he’d shown up on her doorstep considering she’d been thinking about him and a possible future. Impossible as it might seem, optimism was her favorite choice right now.

  “Hi,” she said breathlessly.

  He wrapped her in his arms for a scorching kiss, and she gave it right back to him.

  “Hey.” Still holding her tight like he never wanted to let her go, he smiled down at her.

  “Hey to you, too. I didn’t expect to see you on game day.”

  “I couldn’t stay away. I had to see you. You’re my good luck charm, and in the Finals, who am I to mess with magic as powerful as you?”

  “Wow. I’m impressed. You’ve turned into a romantic.”

  “Hardly. Don’t get your hopes up.”

  She laughed, and the laughter cast sunshine over her previously cloudy days. “So what’s up?”

  “I am.”

  She pondered his true meaning before responding, but she could feel him, and he was up. “I’m not surprised. That’s never been a problem before.”

  “Well, there is that. I mean, I feel high on life. Like I’ve been freed from the shackles that have bound me for years.”

  “Shackles?”

  “Yeah, expectations, my brother’s memory, my own fears. I’m seeing my future more clearly now.”

  “I’m so glad.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Thank you.” She rested her chin on his chest, loving the solid feel of him.

  “I had lunch with my mother yesterday. She gave me lots to think about.”

  Marina stiffened, and her heart sank with dread.

  He read her horrified expression and chuckled. “It’s not that bad. She was supportive of whatever I choose to do.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “I’m not sure yet, but whatever it is, I want you to be part of it.”

  “How big of a part? A week? A month? A year?”

  “How about a lifetime?” he finished for her.

  Marina’s mouth dropped open, and she gaped at him in total shock. She hadn’t expected this. She’d dreamed of it, hoped for it, but never truly expected it.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, I am.”

  “I need to think on this.”

  “I know. Maybe this isn’t the right time. I need to get through the Finals. Together we can figure out next steps. If we have to see each other long distance for a year or two, I’m in.”

  “Drew, I—”

  “No need to answer now. Think on it. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” And she did. Fiercely. Passionately. Forever?

  Yes, forever.

  But how could they do this without one of them making a big sacrifice?

  And which one?

  Drew had the most to lose, yet she did, too, because her situation was more precarious, her future more uncertain, her choices more limited. If things didn’t work out between them or something happened, she had to protect herself by not being dependent on him. When it came to being dependent on others for her income, that rug had been pulled out from under her before.

  She needed gainful employment no matter where she was, and she had an idea. It was a long shot at best, but what did she have to lose?

  Chapter 25—Wholesale Change

  The next week flew by.

  The Sockeyes lost Game 4 by one goal in a hard-fought battle that left both sides battered and weary and put Seattle down one game to three. Not a good position to be in.

  They flew to Pittsbu
rgh for Game 5 and won, bringing the Finals back to Seattle for Game 6 with the Penguins up three games to two.

  The team wanted to win it all as a reward to the city that had never wavered in their support for the past four years, through good times and bad.

  Game 6 was played on a Sunday night. Brick started poorly and allowed two goals in the first period. He was off slightly, but during the second period he regained his blocking abilities and did everything possible to stop the goals. The defensemen stepped up and fought like demons. Drew and his teammates dug deep. Despite the weariness of playing seven games in each of their playoff rounds, they dredged up their reserves.

  The last thing they wanted was to lose the Cup at home, and Drew refused to let the Penguins celebrate on the Sockeyes’ home turf.

  The second period ended with the score still two to zero. Drew, Smooth, and Coop had several scoring opportunities, but the Penguin goalie made some phenomenal stops.

  At the start of the third, Coop skated up to his teammates, gathering them around. “Goalie’s getting tired. He’s been balls-out for two periods. I don’t think he can hold. I say we hit and hit him hard. Keep at him. Make him work for every stop. One will get through eventually.”

  And it did.

  Coop scored two minutes in with a bullet between the goalie’s legs. Bedlam reigned, the din became deafening, and the Sockeyes fed off it. Drew forgot how tired he was and focused on one goal, winning this game and forcing a Game 7. The Penguins had let up a little. They weren’t skating as hard or pressing on defense. This wasn’t a must-win for them.

  The Sockeyes first line operated as one unit, and Smooth followed up with a rocket over the goalie’s left shoulder. Drew shot again and again, but nothing was going in for him. He didn’t let it get him down. He wore down the defense by taking every opportunity to attack. They were deep into the third when Drew lasered a pass from Smooth into the net to put the Sockeyes ahead.

  With one minute left, and the Penguins went on the attack, but Brick, Ice, Matt, and the other guys were relentless and never backed down.

  The buzzer sounded.

  There would be a Game 7.

  * * * *

  No longer needing to hide their relationship, Marina waited for Drew in the arena’s family area. She took a seat on one of the sectional couches and sipped a glass of wine one of the WAGs had given her. The mood was boisterous, and the place reverberated with laughter and toast after toast to the winners.

  Ethan and Lauren entered to cheers from the family members. They were all grins, and Lauren absently rubbed her baby bump. Ethan kept his arm around her. His face couldn’t have been lit up any more if he’d been a Christmas tree. They announced their upcoming baby, explaining they’d decided not to take away from winning the Cup by doing it after Game 7.

  Ethan nodded at Marina sitting alone on one of the sectionals and whispered something to Lauren. Snagging a glass of wine, he left Lauren to talk with Izzy, most likely comparing baby stories, and strode toward Marina, stopping here and there to accept congratulations from the family members of his guys.

  “Good game,” Marina said as he sat across from her.

  “Excellent game. One more. Just one more. Hard to believe. It’s like a dream come true.” He looked down and cleared his throat as if gathering his thoughts.

  Marina immediately expected the worst. “Drew invited me to be here. If it’s not appropriate I can leave.”

  Ethan met her gaze and laughed. “You’re joking, right?”

  She shook her head. “No, after all, I was fired.”

  “Yeah, about that. I am sorry. I didn’t want to let you go, nor did Coach, but I’m sure you can understand our awkward position.

  “I do, and no apologies necessary.”

  “I want to thank you, Marina. You gave this team the edge they needed when they needed it. If there’s anything I could do to help you out, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “There is one thing—”

  * * * *

  The next morning, Marina dressed in her one suit for her appointment with Ethan and Cassandra. She wasn’t sure what Ethan had said for Cassandra to give her the time of day, but she was ready for them. She had a five-minute speech prepared, along with bullet points emphasizing her proposal.

  The timing couldn’t be better. Ethan should be riding on a high of winning last night, and hopefully Cassandra was in good spirits also.

  Marina tried not to fidget as she waited in the outer office.

  Mina glanced up from her monitor and gave Marina a rare smile. “They’ll see you now, honey. Knock ’em dead.”

  Drawing in a deep breath, Marina straightened her shoulders, held her head high, and walked inside. They were sitting at the small conference table in Ethan’s office sipping coffee, and both glanced up. Ethan’s smile was welcoming, while Cassandra wore her usual stoic expression. At least she didn’t appear angry. Marina considered neutrality a win.

  “Marina, what can we help you with today?” She hadn’t expected Ethan to be so receptive. After all, even though the coach fired her, he had to have approved it.

  “First of all, congratulations on forcing a Game 7.”

  “I didn’t have much to do with it, but I’ll accept the congratulations for my guys. We don’t have a lot of time, so tell us what you’ve got for us.”

  Glancing down at her notes, Marina dived into her pitch. She started with a brief history of her figure skating awards and skills for Ethan’s benefit, knowing Cassandra knew all about her history.

  Ethan leaned forward, all ears. “We’re well aware of your expertise, Marina. You did incredible things with our guys. I’m not sure we’d be where we are if not for you.”

  “Especially one guy,” Cassandra said quietly.

  Ethan’s brows shot up. Instead of appearing annoyed, his eyes glinted with amusement.

  “About that.” Marina jumped in before either could speak. She’d been afraid the circumstances of her firing would come up, and she’d been prepared. “I want to apologize for my unprofessional behavior. I can’t make excuses for what I did, knowing the situation I was in. All I can do is ask for your forgiveness.”

  “You have mine. After all, I’d be hypocrite to hold that against you, considering I fell in love with my employee.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Well, then, now that’s off your chest, I have another appointment.” Cassandra started to get up, but Ethan’s hard look sat her back down in her chair.

  “I’d like hear what Marina has to say. You do have more to say, don’t you, Marina?”

  Marina nodded and dived into the meat of her presentation before they could change their minds. “As you know, I’m a world-class skater. When I was competing, I was solidly in the top ten female skaters in the world for close to six years. For the past four years, I taught under Dimitri Romanski in England and helped him build a stellar program, which made England a medal contender. I was privileged to study under him and learn his training process. I taught beginning to intermediate skaters, including giving multiple young prospects their start in skating. I’m dedicated. I’m enthusiastic. I’m able to physically demonstrate many of the tougher movements. I’m not a prima donna, and I love teaching all ages and abilities.

  “I know I’ve been vilified by the press and deservedly so for SkateGate, but through it all I never wavered from one basic tenant—my love of figure skating. I live and breathe figure skating. I regret the irresponsible choice I made four years ago, but I’m not that person anymore. What happened with Drew and I… Well, while I regret that I broke your trust and Coach’s, sometimes a person just can’t stop love.”

  Marina paused to take a breath and assess her audience. Ethan leaned forward, his chin propped up on one hand. Cassandra hadn’t moved, but tension was noticeable around her eyes and in her thinned lips.

  “I would be a valuable asset to your fledgling figure skating program. You won’t find a more dedicated staff person than me. M
y expertise and awards speak for themselves. I realize I may not have the name of some other coaches, but I promise I will work twice as hard to build that name and partner with Cassandra and your other staff to make this the best skating program in the United States.”

  She sat back and waited for their responses.

  Ethan rubbed his chin and nodded. “Interesting.” He turned to Cassandra. “What do you think?”

  Cassandra frowned and appeared to be considering her words carefully. “I’m aware of Marina’s skills and her coaching abilities. Ours is a small, tight-knit community and word gets around. Her behavior the past four years has been exemplary until this incident with my son.”

  Abruptly, Ethan stood. “Marina, we’ll think about what you’ve proposed and get back to you. Ultimately, it’s Cassandra’s decision. She’s my skating director, and I have to trust her judgment. I assure you she will make a fair decision based on all the factors and not just one unfortunate incident.”

  Marina stood, too, knowing she was dismissed. Only Cassandra stayed in her seat.

  “Thank you both for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.”

  “And Marina?”

  She stopped mid-stride and partially turned. Ethan handed her a large envelope.

  “What’s this?”

  “Your final paycheck and a bonus.”

  “Bonus? But I—”

  “You earned it.”

  Aunt Mina glanced up as Marina shut the door behind her. “How’d it go?”

  “I’m not sure, but I gave it my best shot.”

  “That’s all anyone can expect. What you did took guts, and Ethan appreciates guts.”

  “Thank you.”

  By the time Marina was in her car, her hands were shaking, and her stomach was queasy. She rested her head on the steering wheel and closed her eyes, waiting for her heart to stop slamming in her chest before she left the parking garage.

  Finally composing herself, she remembered the envelope. She fished it out of the back seat and opened it carefully. Her final paycheck with a generous bonus was inside. But there was more—a round-trip ticket to Pittsburgh for early tomorrow morning, reservations at the team hotel, a ticket to the game, and a pass to get to the private areas. There was an itinerary giving the time she could catch the bus chartered for family members.