Line Chemistry by K.R. Collins

Author:K.R. Collins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBTQIA+, Contemporary, sports, family-drama, demisexual, bisexual, ice hockey, teammates, slow burn
Publisher: NineStar Press, LLC
Published: 2022-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

They go on the road and beat New Orleans and Memphis. Their last stop on the road trip is Milwaukee, and Sophie extends her point streak to forty games. Travis Mollett, one of her wingers back at Chilton Academy, digs the puck out of the net and hands it to her.

“Now, let us win the game, and we’ll call it even,” he says with a smile, so she knows he isn’t serious.

She laughs as she turns the puck over in her hands. Forty games. She strung together twenty last season and now she’s matched it. According to Brindle, it still isn’t good enough. She would need a twenty-two-game streak, compiled over the course of a single season, to beat what Kensington did. She wonders how Brindle will dismiss her achievement when she does that at as well.

“If you want to win with me, you can sign with Concord,” Sophie tells Travis. “The next time your contract is up, you’re a free agent.”

“So are you,” he says.

“Yeah, but I’m a Concord Condor for life.” She offers him one last smile before she skates to her bench. She hands her puck to Ben Granlund for safekeeping.

Forty consecutive games with a point. She wanted a record no one would ever challenge again. Forty is good but forty-one sounds better.

*

Johanna Achenbach is the starting goaltender for the Regina Rapids when they come to Concord. Even backup goalies have to play some time, but Sophie’s surprised this is the game Jo was given. Every goalie in the league wants to be the one to snap Sophie’s streak. She would expect Pearce to be in net, especially since it’s a Winter Games year. Every game is an audition for the big stage.

But Pearce was passed over for Jo. Sophie doesn’t envy the Regina players who have to put up with his temper. It also invites the question; if Regina doesn’t have faith in their starter, why should Team Canada?

The Regina game is Merlin’s first back in the lineup. Elison slotted him onto the third line to restrict his minutes and give him easier matchups as he works his way back up to game shape. Even though he isn’t on Sophie’s line, having him back in the locker room and on the bench is a boost.

After three posts, two gloves saves, one blocker save, and one truly miraculous sprawling save from Jo, Sophie wonders if her best is good enough for this game. Jo channels her inner Gabrielle, steady in her net and predicting where the shots will come from. In prior seasons, Jo moved too much, reacting to shots instead of already being set when the puck came at her. Sophie’s glad for the personal growth but wishes Jo waited another game to turn into a super-goalie.

Sixty minutes pass without a goal on either side. Sophie chews on her mouthguard and wonders if this is finally it.

“Hey, why’d Barkov beat you to the puck on the past two shifts?” Merlin asks as they break for their shortened intermission before overtime.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.