The crowd is going nuts and the noise level in the arena has reached a fever pitch. It doesn’t matter who wins; the fans love a good fight.
Hell, they’re probably hoping one of their guys will retaliate against Kristiansen later.
With Kristiansen thumping the Kings’ defender, we maintain momentum through the third period, and when the final buzzer sounds, the scoreboard reads 2-0.
Fuckin’ right it does.
Pulse thrumming, I join my teammates. We rush Bouchard, celebrating back-to-back wins and his first shutout of the season.
Seeing my teammates laugh and smile after weeks of loss and uncertainty has me grinning like a fool, the warm glow of pride emanating from every sweaty pore.
Normally, I wouldn’t take such pleasure in beating a team that’s struggling, but a win is a win, and we needed this. For ourselves and for Ava. The only way this moment could be better is if she were here by my side to share it. This is her victory as much as ours, and if I’m being honest, I miss her, but I know she’s at home watching us right now.
TEAM CHAT
Baby Glider: Kristiansen!!! I knew you loved me…
Bash: Who the fuck is this?
Baby Glider: Bruh, are you serious right now?
Bash: Ginny?
Forey: Welcome to the chat, Bash. Once you’re in, there’s no escaping…
Mac: Prepare for 24/7 brain rot from the rookie
Baby Glider: Just trying to keep your old ass relevant.
D-Vo: *skull emoji*
Mac: My ass is just fine, fuck you very much!
Baby Glider: Facts. You’ve got the second-best booty on the team. *winking emoji*
Smitty: It’s all the hip thrusts he’s been doing.
Hardy: Can confirm. He had the room next to mine at the hotel.
Boosh: Nah, it’s the split squats. That shit will give you a serious bubble butt.
Smitty: JC, Boosh. You can’t actually be this clueless…
Boosh: What?
Fedy: English is my second language, and even I got that one.
Bash: Is this my life now?
Knox: Sadly, yes. Feel free to mute, but don’t bother leaving, they’ll just add you back. I’ve booted Ginny a half-dozen times and just like mold, he always comes creeping back.
Baby Glider: I’m too pretty to be mold. I’m more like Kudzu…
Hardy: Invasive, annoying, impossible to get rid of?
Bates: *cackling GIF*
Baby Glider: I’m really not feeing the love right now…