But all I see are the tears streaming down Baylor’s face as she skates off the ice.
The tears she quickly wiped away so that no one saw. I saw them though, and even though everyone is making a big deal about the win, I don’t feel like a winner.
“Dude, how did you do that? You’re not even human!” Markus yells from the bench as I head toward it. I just grin as I throw up my cage, still looking for Baylor. She’s disappeared into the locker room. Which means I need to get there.
“Not even out of breath,” I joke even though it’s a lie. I feel like I’m dying, but since I slept all day and night yesterday, I’m good. Could probably go for more, but thankfully I don’t have to.
Which I should feel better about.
Last year, I wouldn’t have made it. I wasn’t in the best shape, but I’ve worked my ass off to be the best I can be, and I’m being rewarded for that. I’ve wanted to beat Baylor since the beginning, and now that I have, I’m disappointed with the way I feel. I should be elated, proud of myself. And I am happy, but I’m worried about her. She’s crushed, her body told me that, and I hate that. It’s beyond me how important she’s become to me. Never have I taken to a girl who wants nothing to do with me, but I have, and I need to make sure she’s okay.
“Shower, boys! Congratulations, Sinclair.”
Looking over at my coach, I can see the disappointment in his eyes. He wanted Baylor to win.
“Thanks, Coach,” I say before heading to the locker room. As I pass everyone, they tap my shoulder and my shins, congratulating me. When Jace falls into step with me, he’s on the phone.
“Yeah, he kicked ass! I’m alternate. Right! Beast mode for sure. Hold on.”
He holds the phone out for me, so I tuck my glove and stick under my arm to take it. “Hello?”
“Way to go, bro!” Jude exclaims, and I nod.
“Thanks, man.”
“Way to show them who’s boss around there.”
“Yeah, it feels good.”
“Liar,” he says after a moment. “What, did you make her cry or something?”
“Bye, Jude,” I say, hanging up the phone and handing it to Jace.
“What?”
“Nothing,” I say, pushing the door open to look for Baylor. She isn’t at her locker, and I can’t find McCarthy. “Where’s McCarthy?”
Everyone looks up and around them, but then Shane stands up from by the shower. “I kicked him out of here. He tried to go in there when Baylor was in there.”
I nod. “Thanks, Shane.”
“No problem. She’s been in there for a minute longer than usual.”
I chew the inside of my cheek as Jace says, “She’s probably pissed. Let her be.”
“Yeah, just let her cool down. She pushed hard,” Markus says, falling down on the bench.
Dropping my gloves and stick, I take my helmet off and then head to the shower. Pushing the door open, steam escapes out, but I can’t see her. I can hear her though. It takes everything out of me not to go in there and bundle her up in my arms. Not only would she probably beat my face in, but I also don’t want to see her cry.
Girls crying gives me the willies.
Especially when I’m the reason they are crying.
“Moore, you good?”
Sucking in a deep breath, she doesn’t say anything, and I call her name again. Finally, she says, “Yeah, fine. Just finishing up. Gotta shave my legs.”
I smile. She’s too damn proud. Letting the door shut, I meet Shane’s eyes and he shrugs. “Good excuse.”