WATTYS 2020 WINNER
THIS IS NOT A PAID STORY. ONLY THE BONUS CHAPTERS ARE. YOU CAN READ THE MAIN STORY FOR FREE!
When Brenna and Shea, two rival hockey players, have to collaborate to take down a common enemy, they soon discover love is a ruthless g...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Shea
"You're on fire," Brenna says.
We're loitering in the hallway during third intermission, still dressed in our hockey equipment. I tuck my helmet under my arm as we chat.
That's right.
Third intermission.
We're going into overtime, and I can feel the intensity between us. It's almost suffocating. Both of us want the win. We want the other to be happy. But we know that package can't be presented together. Overtime is sudden death, and it makes the blow of losing even harder to stomach. Our teams have proven to be equal across the board. Brenna, Nick, and Hunter have matched every shot taken by me, KJ, and Jayden. Catina and Drew are both standing on their heads, making phenomenal saves. Both sides of defence are playing with confidence.
I keep my gaze locked on a display of previous hockey teams. The oldest team photo present is from 2001, which seems pretty recent compared to the photos at the Jim Lind Arena on the Westside. The oldest photo is from the eighties.
My anxiety peaks a little. Is that what the future holds? Me, Jayden, and KJ? A picture on the wall that holds memories no one but us will remember? And what happens if Brenna and I break up? What happens to all those photos I posted on Instagram? Am I supposed to delete them?
A hollow feeling echoes through my ribcage. Despite enjoying the hockey game, as well as putting exponential effort into it, my mind is heavy with stress. We need to talk after this. Have a discussion about what happens.
I shake my head. It's not something I should focus on right now.
"So are you," I reply. "Three assists. One goal. That's good for the stats."
She nudges me, grinning. "Says Mr. Hat-Trick over here."
Blush fills my cheeks. This is the prime opportunity for a hat-trick. Scoring three goals will seal questions scouts had about my hockey skills. All three were damn good goals. Especially when I split the defence. It had some major Connor McDavid vibes. And the slapshot that rebounded from the post and went in? Damn.
I'm not trying to brag about my skills, but this has been my best game. Which is why I'm praying to the hockey gods for a win. I'm desperate for one.
"Scoring those goals would've been impossible without my teammates," I say.
Brenna flashes me a smirk. "Fine. You can say that for two goals. That one where you split Wilson and Davies was all on you."
Again, I wave off her comment.
She makes a tsk noise. "Shea Smith. Still not giving himself the credit he deserves."
I try to flash her a smile, but it comes out weak. So weak it's embarrassing. My mind is fixated on the future. I'm in the present, but my mind is somewhere else. Focused on the impending doom that awaits us as soon as we graduate.
