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At least until New Jersey scored three oal

Shit

But they battled back, Trick forcing the puck on a breakaway Sweat pouring down his back, Drew skated like his life depended on it, the defender right on his skates as he ot the puck, passed it to Trick, who shot it between the goalie’s legs

Another goal, and Drew felt theto take it away froame

At the end of the second period, they were tied The coach told the, and they were better than New Jersey There was no reason they couldn’t take the win

Drew felt the sa two goals scored against hiht, his reflexes were better than they’d been in weeks His save percentage was off the charts tonight, especially with New Jersey being so aggressive at the net The defenders were fierce, and the Travelers offense was deterht

When Drew and Trick came off the ice for a breather, Sayers and Litoal right into the net between two defenders and the whole team lit up

Drew and Trick did the same when they caoals with a minute and a half left All they had to do was avoid penalties and keep the defense strong There was no way they could lose this game

No tuned into the Travelers fans who’din the minority at the stadium, they were pumped And loud He tuned into that noise and he and Trick went on the attack, double-teaainst the boards for the puck, Trick cooal Drew stayed in position while Trick, surrounded by defenders, sailed the puck across the ice to hioalie deflected it New Jersey’s defender took it and handed it off, whichdown, they had to rely on their defense

New Jersey took a couple shots on goal, but oddaame

The team took center ice and celebrated as if they’d won the cha win, and one they’d worked hard for A giant monkey off their back, and Drew hoped now they could ame--at home or away--like he knew they could

There was a lot of chatter in the locker rooive theame of the season and what it all meant Drew, as well as the rest of the players, downplayed it, saying it was just another win But all the guys knehat a big deal this had been, and what it had e confidence booster, and Dreas convinced this as going to turn things around

"Hogan," one of the assistants hollered from across the locker room "You have a visitor"

Drened "Who is it?"

"So chick Carolina, she said her name was"

Lots of ooohs and whistles Drew rolled his eyes

Carolina was here? In New Jersey? "I’ll be right out"

"Carolina caame?" Trick asked "Itready to take a shower "It is serious I’rinned "Well fk ot dressed and went outside the locker roo boots, and a long red coat He’d never seen a ed her into his ar kiss on her,media, who took pictures He didn’t care

She s theraphers and video crews, he led her down a side hallway "I can’t believe you’re here In New Jersey"

"A relationship goes both ways, Drew It can’t just be you being there for me It also means I’ll be there for you whenever I can I told you I believed in you, and, win or lose, I was going to be in the stands cheering for you tonight"

An ache for his heart "Thank you That means a lot to me"

"You were there for me when I needed you And even if I’est cheerleader"

He brushed his lips across hers "I love you, Carolina"

"I love you, too Nohen do you get back to the city?"