Rhys

"It’s finally the time for this season to come to an end!" I yelled as I stood at the center of the locker room to address everyone one last time. "We have come this far for one reason, and that is to win the Stanley Cup!" I yelled, taking a deep breath as my heart started pounding hard in my chest.

The words hung in the air, and for a split second, the entire room seemed to hold its breath with me.

I was nervous as hell. It was not something new, especially since we were facing formidable opponents. It worried me that anything could go wrong, and that would ruin Kayden’s dream.

This was his first real shot at the big stage, the kind of moment rookies dreamed about their whole lives.

I had been here before, had felt the weight of these games press down on my shoulders like extra pads, but tonight felt heavier because he was out there with me.

One bad shift, one unlucky missed goal, and everything we had built could slip away.

I pushed the thought down deep and kept my voice steady for the rest of the guys.

"I have to say this past few months have been incredibly exhausting, and I truly hope that whatever happens tonight, you all make sure you take that rest. Enjoy your breaks," I told them, and the room erupted in loud cheers.

Some of the guys slapped their sticks against the benches, others let out whoops that echoed off the locker room.

The smell of sweat, tape, and some leaked pheromones filled up the space, but none of it bothered me.

Everyone was excited for the game, and that was all that mattered.

Tonight was the last time we would gather here like this as this exact group, at least until the next season.

"Even if we don’t win, even if the Cup isn’t ours this season, coming this far says a lot about what this team is truly about. Through so many obstacles, we continued rising until we got here. As we play on the ice, we set our minds on winning. Remember every brutal morning skate, every hit we took when the cameras were off, every sacrifice. We play for the people who believed in us, and that’s our fans," I said after a moment as my gaze found Kayden’s.

I let my eyes lock on his for just a second longer than the others. He sat there on the bench, his helmet resting beside him, looking every bit the calm rookie who had somehow become the heartbeat of our offense.

His expression was focused, but I could see the fire behind it.

The rest of the team nodded along, some leaning forward on their sticks, others with hands on their knees. We had fought through injuries, through slumps that made the media question everything, through nights where our legs felt like lead after back-to-back games.

But we kept showing up. That was what made this team different.

"Whatever happens out there, we leave it all on the ice. Do you all understand!" I shouted, and the response was crazier than the first one.

A roar rose from every throat in the room. Everyone started pounding their pads, banged their sticks on the floor in a chaotic rhythm that vibrated through the room.

That sound always got my blood pumping, reminded me why I loved this game even on the nights when my body screamed for mercy.

I stepped over to Kayden and pulled him into a tight hug right there in front of everyone who already knew what we were. "No matter what happens out there," I whispered against his ear, low enough that only he could hear, "I’m proud of you. I love you, so please don’t get hurt."

Kayden’s arms came around me without hesitation. "I love you too. I won’t get hurt, and we are winning this," he told me and pulled back just enough to kiss me on the lips. It was a short kiss, but it got the attention of everyone, and they started clapping their hands. A few guys whistled, others laughed good-naturedly, and the tension earlier was gone.

"Alright, boys!" Coach Reddick’s voice sounded as he entered into the locker room again. "It’s time to win this fucking cup."

"Yes!" I added, and then stretched my hands forward, and everyone, including the coach, joined in for the team’s chant. "Cold as ice!" I called.

"Hard as stone!" they all responded.

"Avalanches! Take the throne!" we all said in unison, clapped our hands, and started filing out in a roaring line towards the tunnel.

This was it. The last game of the season, the one that decided everything about our future.

The mega arena was loud as hell as we grew closer to the ice. The fans were already screaming even before our team’s name was mentioned.

"Ladies and gentlemen... your hometown warriors, the Northern Avalanche!"

The screams increased as we all skated towards the ice. Our fans started chanting the team’s name. "Northern Avalanche! Northern Avalanche!"

The chant rolled through the stands in waves, thousands of voices united in one purpose. It sent a jolt straight through me, the kind that made every hair on my arms stand up. This was why we played through the pain, why we pushed when our bodies begged us to stop.

The Southbridge bears were already on the ice at their own side, skating lazy circles and stretching, trying to look unbothered.

I raised my head high as I skated past them, making sure I was not looking at any of them, especially Damian.

"Starting on defense... Northern Avalanche team’s captain, number four, Rhys Calder!"

At the mention of my name, I raised my stick high, skating a controlled circle in our defensive zone, waving at the fans. Then I looked up, and my eyes scanned the VIP section high above the glass. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

They were here. My entire family. Was this the surprise? I wondered.