by Bee Daniels
"This is it," Coach Benson told him quietly. "You only have one shot. I can't do that for you. No one can but yourself. I need you to push aside whatever is going on in your head and think about what's on the ice. Think about your future and all that you've worked for."
Noah nodded as he swallowed all of his anger, the frustration he felt towards Melanie, the anger he felt towards his mother, and everything that had bothered him this past month. He had to let it go if he wanted to win. He had to let it all go. When he stepped out on the ice, he would think of nothing else but winning.
"Thanks, Coach," Noah said as he squeezed his shoulder before heading out of the room and into the arena that would decide the course of his fate.
CHAPTER
52
MELANIE
I
T WAS THE NIGHT OF THE FINALS, AND THOUGH MELANIE PROMISED herself that she would not step a foot inside of that arena, by the end of the second quarter, she found herself squeezing past disgruntled people who were none too happy with her being in the way of the game. When she got closer to her seat, Abigail locked eyes with her, grinning. Melanie sighed as she dropped down next to her friend.
"Don't say anything," Melanie warned her with a finger, a flush of red beneath her skin from embarrassment. She hadn't planned on coming tonight, but Melanie found that she was losing her mind pacing back and forth in her apartment and that when she got in her car to get some fresh air, she found herself here.
"I'm not going to say anything at all, but about damn time. I thought you were never going to come. You know you're the most stubborn person I've ever met."
"Whatever," Melanie said dismissively as she shrugged off her coat, placing her purse between herself and Abigail.
Melanie looked at the score and noticed that their rival team was one point ahead of them, and she nervously bit her lip. No wonder everyone on this side of the arena was so grumpy. This game was going to be a close call, and after Weston had come so far, it would disappoint everyone in their community if they didn't win tonight. She had just made it here, and already her stomach was a mess of nerves. Melanie found herself secretly crossing her fingers together, and she prayed for them to win this game. She didn't even believe in things like crossing your fingers for good luck, but tonight she would believe in it.
It wasn't for herself or to ease her own guilt, but because Noah worked so hard to get to this point. He deserved to be here tonight, and he deserved to take the trophy home. Melanie didn't want to see him lose everything he worked so hard for because his thoughts were in turmoil.
"I got a bad feeling," Abigail said, leaning forward in her seat as the next play started. Two of the players stood facing off, and as soon as the referee blew his whistle, the puck was on the prowl as both teams tried to take it from each other. Melanie sat on the edge of her seat, watching as Noah skated across the ice with fury, knocking into a player on the rival's team on purpose, jamming him against the wall before elbowing him. After doing that, Noah continued down the ice, chasing after the puck that was in the other team's possession. But he was a second too late when the puck was shot down halfway through, reaching its destination, and the other team scored.
The player who scored looked at Noah triumphantly, knocking into Noah’s shoulder hard. Something was said between them because they next thing you know on the big jumbotron, a fight broke out between them.
The rival team came to their teammate's aid, along with the Falcons for Noah. Once they were able to break them apart, Coach Benson called Noah off the ice, replacing him with another player. Groans were let out by the fans seeing their favorite player taken off the ice while the time was ticking; while on the other hand, fans from the other team booed Noah. Melanie's leg shook as she tried to tamp down her worry. This game was cutting it too close. And with the way things were going, Weston might lose. And though there was a high possibility Noah would get drafted anyway, this wasn't what he wanted. He wanted to get there on his own merit. And if Noah got drafted without taking this win home, she had a feeling this wouldn’t be great for his mental state going forward.
The sports commentators on the side weren't holding back their punches either as they made nasty comments about Noah's aggressive play.
"I know for some of you guys out there, it might be a surprise to see Noah go out like this, but for me, it isn't. He's been skating by on his father's name from the beginning, and the reason he's gotten this far is that Weston is already a well-rounded team with players like Anderson and Johnson on the ice."
"That's a stretch, John, and you know it. Noah has been pivotal to this team since he's gotten here. Even without his father, he would be the star player he is now. But, I will admit that recently, Noah has not been at his best, and right now, with only so little time left, he needs to be his best."
"Well, we aren't getting his best, and with the way this game is going, Weston won't be taking home another trophy, and recruiters will have to ask themselves will they want someone like Noah on their team, who under pressure can't handle the heat."
Melanie glared at the commentators, irritated by their words. They were like wolves. One little mistake, and they were ready to attack the players. She watched Noah angrily skate off to the bench where the rest of his team sat. And when he got closer to their section of the arena, their eyes connected.
Before, whenever Melanie came to one of his games, he would smile at her, tossing her winks, and shooting pucks for her. But this time, he looked at her with a touch of surprise before turning his head and continuing to the bench. He completely ignored her.
"Ouch," Abigail said. "So, lover boy can get upset too."
Melanie couldn't blame Noah for his anger with her. After all, she had given up on their relationship without giving him a chance. He was probably more than pissed. Maybe it was a mistake for her to come to this game, and Coach Benson and Abi were wrong. Maybe she should have stayed home. She didn't want to make things worse for Noah by being here.
Melanie slowly grabbed her purse as she wrestled with the idea of staying or going when suddenly Noah stood up from his seat and spoke to Coach Benson. Melanie watched as Noah glanced back at her before he took something from Coach Benson and walked over to the corner, taking off his helmet. There was something about his stance that was off-putting, like he was hiding something.
“I wonder what he’s doing…” Melanie said, but she noticed that Abigail’s attention was focused on the next play that had already started.
Melanie’s phone started to ring, but she ignored it, her attention focused on Noah. Whoever it was calling her, she could call them back later. But when her phone rang again, she noticed Noah glance back at her, giving her a pointed look.
Melanie blinked before she dug into her purse for her phone, seeing Coach Benson’s number.
She answered it, hesitantly. “Hello.”
"Why are you here?" he asked bluntly, with a short tone that stopped her breath. The anger in his voice was clear, and the softness of his tone that was usually reserved for her was gone. Melanie tried to find the right words to explain why she had come here, how her feet had led her here even though she told herself over and over again not to come, how she didn't come here on her own, but her heart led her here. But none of that really mattered. All that mattered was that she was here now.
"Do your best, Noah," she told him sincerely. Abigail, whose eyes had been focused on the game, looked at her curiously after hearing Noah’s name. "Not for me, not for your father, not for anyone else but yourself. You've always wanted this. Win this for you."
Noah turned and looked back at her through the glass that separated the players from the fans. Melanie held his gaze, his blue eyes peering into her own. With each second under his gaze, her heart beat with uncertainty and fear, wondering if Noah would always look at her this way as if she were a stranger to him that he was trying to figure out. And Melanie would have no one but herself to blame. Melanie waited f
or what Noah would say next, readying herself to accept his wrath.
"If I win this, what do I get in return?"
Melanie blinked as she stared at him, mouth ajar. Did he just... She snorted with laughter as she looked down at her lap, blushing. When she looked back up, she could see his shoulders shaking as well as he laughed too.
Melanie shrugged. "I don't know. I'll give you a kiss, I guess."
Noah frowned. "I should be able to get more than that, considering it's the final. The bigger the bet, the bigger the reward."
Melanie rolled her eyes, wondering what she could give Noah as a prize. Something that would motivate him to win. She blushed before making eye-contact with him as she lowered her voice to a whisper. "If you win the game, I'll let you play with your toys."
"The ropes?" Noah asked, his bright blue eyes darkening as he looked at her like he wanted to eat her, and Melanie couldn’t say that she minded the thought. Every part of her missed him in every way possible, including her body. She had been apprehensive about the ropes before, but now, she didn’t mind the idea of it at all.
"That's a bet," Noah said, a glint in his eyes that let her know she was in for it, just as Coach Benson called his name.
"Get back on the ice, Walker," he yelled.
"But it's only if you win the game," Melanie told Noah. Noah nodded before he hung up the phone, passing it back to Coach Benson.
"You'll see," he mouthed to her before he skated onto the ice. Melanie smiled as she placed her phone back in her bag.
"Girl," Abi said. "Here I thought you were going to give him a bomb motivational speech, but instead, you placed a freaky bet."
"What?" Melanie said, defensively. "Bets are motivational for him."
"Hopefully, they were motivating enough," Abigail whispered disappointed, but what her friend didn't realize was that Noah was always motivated by bets, especially those he could win. It was no wonder that when the game started again, Noah shot a puck past the goalie immediately, making the crowd go wild.
"Oh my gosh," Abigail yelled as she plopped back down in her seat. "It really worked."
Melanie grinned as she watched Noah skating on the ice like he usually did, being the beast he was that could control himself and be the leader his team needed.
"I don't know what happened to Noah during that short time on the bench, but whatever revelation he had, he needed it because Noah is back, baby! And he just might win this game," the sports commentator exclaimed.
It was down to the final minute, and everyone watched the puck as it skated back and forth between both teams. A swish there, and a swish here, before Noah caught it and drove down the ice, skating to a stop before he shot the puck. With a bated breath, everyone watched the puck with both fear and hope, and when it shot past the goal hitting the net, everyone cheered to the top of their lungs.
They had won the game. Noah Walker had won.
CHAPTER
53
MELANIE
A
DIFFERENT KIND OF ENERGY FILLED THE AIR AFTER THE GAME WAS WON. Excitement and joy ran throughout everyone, and even though twenty minutes had passed, the screams and shouts hadn't died out yet.
Now that the game was over, Melanie had plans to make her way to her car. But, of course, Abigail had different plans.
“Do I really have to come back here?” Melanie asked as she was reluctantly dragged towards the back where the locker rooms were. “I can call him later. I’m pretty sure he wants to celebrate—”
“Oh, stop being such a wuss. I know the person you’re avoiding isn’t him.” Melanie tried not to pout as they squeezed into the crowded hall. Usually, it wasn’t this full, but the media was out in droves waiting for the coaches and team players to come out so they can get their interviews.
"We're packed like sardines in here," Melanie complained, nostrils filled with way too many unpleasant smells of funk and heavily fragranced people. It also didn't help with the many elbows she was taking. Melanie squeezed through the crowd of people with Abigail but paused when she accidentally bumped someone.
"Sorry," Melanie said, but the rest of her apologies were caught in her throat when she realized who she had bumped into— Noah’s parents, specifically, his father.
Melanie's lungs filled with air as she found herself speechless, unsure of what to say. The biggest reason she didn't want to come back here was standing right in front of her. What were the odds that she would directly bump into them? Melanie looked at Abigail, who was also stunned by the turn of events. Melanie closed her mouth and bit on her bottom lip. What should she say? What should she do? She couldn't even look at Noah's mother. Abigail squeezed Melanie's hand reassuringly, but it wasn't enough. Melanie was more nervous than she had ever been in her life before.
"Hello, Ms. Bryant," Noah's father greeted her, and surprisingly, he was smiling.
"Uh, hello," Melanie said, unsure of herself. She risked a glance at Noah's mom, and of course, she still had that same cold pensive stare she had given Melanie before. Melanie quickly looked away.
Noah's father glanced at his wife before he opened his mouth to speak. But before Melanie could hear what he wanted to tell her, they were bombarded by the press. Melanie found herself pushed behind Noah's father as everyone crowded him.
"Allen, how do you feel about your son's win?"
"Did you think he could do it?"
"Do you know what team your son is heading for?"
Noah's father grinned, and Melanie couldn't help but feel like she was looking at a replica of Noah, except he was way more arrogant, and he relished in the attention of the press compared to Noah, who seemed like he never really cared much for it.
"I can't tell you with certainty where my son's future is headed with hockey, but what I can tell you is that he has worked very hard to make it to this moment, and as a man, I'm proud to say I'm his father. Noah is..."
As Noah's father spoke to the press, Noah's mom moved closer to her. Melanie waited with a bated breath, knowing she had something to say to her. Melanie just hoped it wasn't too bad.
“Thanks for supporting my son,” she said quietly. Melanie was so shocked that for a second, she thought she imagined it. She looked at Noah's mom, stunned. Melanie didn't know what she had expected, but it definitely wasn't that. Before Melanie got a chance to reply, the doors of the locker rooms opened, and the players began to file out. Just like that, the reporters disappeared from Allen's side and swarmed the players. Hopping on the tip of her toes, Melanie looked over the crowd as she waited for Noah to come out. And when he stepped out after Dale, a bright smile appeared on her face. She was so happy for him.
Noah looked around, his eyes searching through the crowd before they landed on her. He smiled brightly, slipping past the reporters and walking over to her before he swept her into a big hug.
Usually, Melanie would be embarrassed by the unwanted attention, but all she could think about right now was Noah and nothing else. She hugged him back equally as tight, having missed the warmth of his arms around her.
When he released her, he grinned before hugging the rest of his family. He hugged his younger sister, swinging her into the air until she fell into a reluctant giggle. He ruffled his younger brother's hair, who smiled but quickly slapped Noah's hand away. Noah hesitated for a second as he looked at his mother, who shared his same eyes before he pulled her into a hug. Noah held her for a long time, and Melanie smiled, seeing the clear emotion in Alice's face as she hugged her son back. She loved him, and there was no denying that. That's why Melanie could never be mad at her for being against their relationship. She was only protecting her son in the best way she could.
Noah pulled back from his mother, kissing the top of her head before he looked at his father. Melanie knew Noah's relationship with his father wasn't the best, but she also knew that Noah wanted something from his father even if he didn't know it yet himself. He wanted his acknowledgment.
Noah lifted his hand for his father to shake, and Allen stared at that hand momentarily before he pulled his son into a hug.
The reporters crowded them, calling out Noah's name, waiting to ask him questions, and when Noah pulled back from his father, he finally gave his attention to the press.
"What did you think about your game tonight, Noah?"
"Do you know what team you're looking forward to going to?"
"Have you spoken to any of the teams yet?"
Noah raised his hand, stopping the press from asking questions anymore.
“Just know that I’ll be taking everything one step at a time. I don't have anything to tell you yet. I'm just happy that the game is won, and I want to celebrate with my family. That's all."
Noah turned away from them, and the press tried to ask further questions until some of the security pushed them back.
“I’m proud of you, son,” his father said, bringing him back into a big hug again. Noah grinned. “What do you want to do now?”
“I want to celebrate,” Noah said, just as Coach Benson appeared. He had a huge silly grin on his face as he clapped Noah's back. He looked like he had just won the lottery, but Melanie would guess that's it exactly what it felt like for everyone on the team.
“And we will celebrate," Coach Benson said. "Everyone is heading to the restaurant downtown to celebrate our big win. Let’s head out.”
Noah clasped Melanie's wrist, fixing her with his curious blue eyes. "You're coming, right?"
Melanie breathed deeply. "Definitely."
"And, of course, I'm coming too," Abigail interjected.
Both Noah and Melanie laughed. Tonight would definitely be a night to remember if it was anything like the last time they had celebrated his win.
CHAPTER
54
NOAH