Shutout (The Renegades Series Book 5)

by Melody Heck Gatto

  “No.” Backing out was not an option. If she didn’t do this, she knew she’d lose him for good, that is, if her crazy hadn’t run him away already. She couldn’t blame him if he had.

  If there was any game she’d want to be at, this was the one. The Renegades led the series 3–2. If they won tonight, they were the champions. After all we’ve been through, he wouldn’t be able to ignore me while holding the most coveted trophy in hockey. Right? She banked all her feelings on that thought.

  “Good. You want food before we sit down?” Alison still had ahold of her arm as they walked towards their section.

  “No, my stomach is a mess. I still can’t believe Mia’s brother got us glass seats to this game.” Butterflies danced around her belly and nausea filled her body. “But I could go for a beer. Or three.”

  “Okay, whatever. C’mon, I’m getting pizza. I’m hungry.” Alison pulled her towards the concessions area. The lines were still fairly empty, and they were waited on immediately. Hailee appreciated the quick service because her legs were starting to buckle under her from nerves.

  Pizza and beers in hand, they walked down the steps to their seats.

  An older gray-haired man stopped them about halfway down. “Do you ladies need help finding your seats?”

  “This is section one-eighteen, right?” Alison asked, holding up her tickets for him to see.

  “Yep, it sure is.” He looked at their tickets and pointed down towards the ice. “You’re in the first row, all the way down and to your right.”

  Hailee stood silent, still clutching her homemade poster and now her beer that was already half gone. Alison took one look at her and held in a laugh. “Then we’re in the right place, thanks.” The girls continued down towards the ice. Alison snickered as she glanced at her. “Hailee, you still okay? You look a little green-ish.”

  “Yeah, fine.” She wasn’t fine. Her heart pounded so hard she was afraid it was going to pound right out of her chest. She needed this to work.

  “Why are you so nervous? This is what you want, right?” Alison led the way to their seats.

  “Of course it is. I just never saw myself crawling to him. I spent so much time running from him chasing me. It’s weird.” Her belly did another flop as they found their seats, numbers eight and nine. They were in the first row, right on the glass and directly behind the goalie net.

  “I have a feeling you don’t have to worry about that, Hailee. Something tells me he would never turn you away. Plus, you’ll be right behind him with that sign.”

  Hailee had made a sign in the hope that Dom would look her way. It read:

  #20

  -Z-

  I MISS YOU

  Back home, all their friends called him “Z”. Hopefully that would catch his attention first. Under the “I MISS YOU,” she had written in smaller letters, “I’M SORRY”.

  “Ali, I feel weird in this jersey.” She had gone out and bought herself a Zanetti home jersey, especially for tonight. She hadn’t worn his jersey since they were young and still back in Canada.

  “I don’t know why you feel weird. You look adorable. Not to mention, you won’t be the only one in the stands in a Zanetti jersey, trust me.” Alison had on a Tyler Kidd jersey, her favorite player.

  The visiting team skated onto the ice first. Then the music started to play and a loud voice filled the arena. “Please welcome your Pittsburgh Renegades!” The team filed out onto the ice for warm-ups. Her heart sped up and her body went cold. Tyler Kidd, Kris Lafleur, and other players skated by her after shooting practice shots at the empty net. Glancing around the ice, she froze — a shiver ran through her, and it wasn’t from the chill in the arena.

  There he was. Standing at the Renegades bench, his mask propped up on his head. He squirted Gatorade into his mouth.

  “Hailee, put your sign up,” Alison said, but with all the noise, it sounded like a whisper.

  Hailee didn’t move. Her brain knew she needed to put the sign up, but her body wouldn’t respond. Her heart pounded in her ears and her face burned. She couldn’t catch her breath and felt like she might hyperventilate. Being face to face with the players, she was awestruck.

  Even after being next to them at the club, this atmosphere made them seem larger than life. And there he was, halfway across the ice, more forceful and imposing than she ever remembered.

  She wasn’t the only female in the stands with a Zanetti jersey or a sign for him. Bunnies were all along the glass with signs asking for selfies, sticks, even dates to prom.

  “Hailee. Your sign. Girl, snap out of it! He’s on his way over here.”

  Hailee was frozen.

  “Hailee, I love you, girl, but I’m going to be blunt. We’ve come this far, and now you have two choices. Either put up the damn sign and we’ll figure out how to get his attention, or let’s leave now, so he’ll never have to know we were here.” She put her arm around Hailee and pulled her near. “So what’s it gonna be? Do you want a future with him, or leave your past in the past?”

  His neck tattoo peeked out from under his jersey and helmet, and her heart warmed at the sight of it. Then she laid eyes on the back of his helmet, where he had his number “20” and “H.V.” below it painted in cursive letters. Her initials. Tears prickled her eyes. He’s been wearing my initials on his helmet all this time? Not to mention he picked the number twenty when he got drafted, because it was her birthday. After all this time, he still wore it. All she had to do was make her move.

  Alison was right. She was either going to do this now, or spend the rest of her life watching him from afar on social media, seeing him move from girl to girl, knowing that could’ve been her, wishing that was her. One day he would probably get married. Another woman would lie in his bed every night. Another woman would have his children. A sick feeling moved through her stomach thinking of him with anyone else.

  Looking down at her hand, her tiny tattoo that read “No Regrets” caught her eye. That ink was there for moments like this. It was now or never. Without another thought, she took a deep breath and held her sign against the glass. Dom was in the net, but his focus was on stopping shots, not the fans behind him. Even when he turned around for water, his eyes didn’t leave the ice. She knew how he was out there. He had laser focus, but this was one time she needed to break it. I need to get his attention, but how? She’d stand here all game if she had to.

  “Good choice.” Alison smiled and started to bang on the glass, calling for Dom.

  Lafleur was paying attention to some kids a few sections over and flipping pucks up and over the glass to them. Tyler Kidd shot a puck into the net, then circled around the ice, before pretending to cross-check Lafleur. They looked like they were having so much fun out there, smiling and laughing. The music was so loud the bass pounded in her chest. Her breath caught when Lafleur’s eye landed on her sign. Her brain said to put the sign away, but her heart told her to keep it right where it was. Especially when Lafleur said something to Kidd, causing him to look over also.

  “Kris Lafleur and Tyler Kidd see your sign!” Alison shrieked. “Oh my God! Oh my God! Tyler Kidd!” She jumped up and down, pointing at Hailee’s sign and then pointed to Dominic. She grabbed Hailee’s jersey, spun her around, and pointed to Dom’s name and number on the back, almost knocking Hailee over in the process.

  “Watch it!” Hailee yelled, catching herself on the seat.

  Even her friend’s embarrassing actions didn’t make Hailee waiver. She stood tall, holding her sign, silently praying he would notice her. Her eyes were trained on Tyler Kidd as he and Kris Lafleur skated to Dominic. They were talking, but between the thick glass and the loud music, she couldn’t hear what they were saying. The two kept looking at Hailee, but had their gloves by their mouths so she couldn’t even try to read their lips. They pointed behind Dom with huge grins on their faces.

  Dom turned around, looking into the crowd. Even through the mask, she could see his soulful dark eyes, and they were looking directly at
her.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Dominic

  “Dom!” Tyler and Kris skated towards the net. The grins on their faces told him they were up to no good, like usual. “Dude, I think someone is trying to get your attention.”

  “What?” Between the pucks flying at him and Tyler’s comment, Dom was confused. He was trying not to take his eyes off the shots coming at him, because he obviously didn’t want to let any in, even if it was just warm-ups. “What are you talking about?”

  “Look behind you. I think she’s talking to you.” Kris pointed to the audience behind the net.

  “Who are you talking about?” Dom dodged a few pucks aimed at his head, then yelled over the music to the team. “What the hell, guys?”

  “Ty.” Kris pointed behind the glass.

  “Guys, take some laps!” Tyler called to the team. “Dom, you really do need to check this out.”

  Dom didn’t know what these two were going on about. It was probably just another bunny wanting a stick or telling him if he got a shutout her boyfriend would ask her to prom. He grabbed his water bottle and squirted it through his mask. Looking at the glass seats behind his net, a few folks had signs, but one specifically grabbed his attention. Then he saw her.

  Hailee.

  His eyes were trained on hers. How he missed those beautiful blue eyes. Her sign was simple; she’d used his nickname from back home, “Z” and his jersey number. But what caught his eye were the words he had been longing to hear since she’d walked, or danced, back into his life. She missed him. And when he looked closer, he saw “I’m sorry” written underneath. His heart soared.

  She had on his jersey, and she looked adorable. If he could run into the stands and pull her into his arms, he would. The last few weeks not talking to her had been hell. Sure, he’d had the playoffs to be preoccupied with, but she’d always been on his mind. Especially after the last few days.

  He should’ve talked to her the other day when Alison called, but he didn’t need to be bitched at more by her and he wasn’t convinced that wasn’t going to happen. He’d decided that when she was ready, she would come to him. And now she was here.

  Warm-ups were winding down. He didn’t have much time. The bass was pumping and the guys were now just skating laps around their half of the rink. At Tyler’s lead, the guys cut their lap arc short and rounded in front of the net instead of behind it.

  Dom skated right up to the glass. The crowd went wild, screaming and pounding on the glass, but he was only focused on one girl. Through his mask, he stared at her, concentrating on her face. Her crystal blue eyes glistened with unshed tears and raw emotion. She bit her lip with a nervous look on her face.

  He needed to communicate to her without words. He pushed his mask up onto his head, and moved his glance back to the sign before meeting her eyes.

  One tear slid down her cheek as her bottom lip trembled. He didn’t like seeing her like this, and he couldn’t believe she had any doubt how he felt. He grinned the biggest smile he could at her. It wasn’t his flirty smile, it wasn’t his mischievous smile, it was pure and genuine. At least he hoped it looked that way.

  He pulled off his blocker glove and put his hand on the glass.

  Hailee wiped away the tear and a smile filled her face. She met his action and put her hand to his on the glass. Her sign dropped to the floor. She mouthed the words, “I’m sorry.”

  His heart ached that she felt she needed to apologize.

  The warm-ups song was nearing the end, and slowly the players were leaving the ice. Looking back at the guys, he knew he needed to wrap this up. This thick pane of glass was making this reunion difficult. This was a big game, and he needed to be focused on it, not her. And that wouldn’t happen unless he told her what he needed to tell her.

  But before he could say anything, she smiled the most beautiful smile and another tear slid down her cheek. She mouthed the words, “I love you.”

  He had waited years to hear her say that again. “I love you, too,” he mouthed back, wishing this damn glass wasn’t in the way. His words made her face light up and tears rush down her cheeks.

  The crowd roared with cheers and applause. Alison shook Hailee’s shoulder and pointed to the scoreboard. Not sure what was happening, Dom looked up to see their private exchange being broadcast on the big video screen. Cartoon hearts floated around them. Those damn video guys, they think they’re real cute. But he wasn’t mad and couldn’t help but laugh. Looking back at Hailee, he was relieved to see that all uncertainty was gone from her expression, and the tears she shed were no doubt happy.

  Warm-ups were over; he had to go. She was versed enough in the game to know that he had to go. With the biggest smile, she blew him a kiss, which he caught with his glove hand.

  Skating off the ice, he headed down the runway. He was almost the last off the ice; only Kris and Tyler followed behind him.

  Back in the locker room, the guys were all talking.

  “Looks like someone finally came around?” Kris said with a chuckle.

  “Dom, I think you should send her down a locker room pass for after the game. Really seal the deal,” Tyler suggested, before he called over one of the front office men who were standing in the doorway. “Stan, can you send two passes down to Zanetti’s girl? She’s sitting right behind his net.”

  Stan nodded. “Two locker room passes? Sure. Zanetti, you want me to pass her a note or anything in homeroom?”

  “Smart-ass.” Dom shook his head, but couldn’t stop grinning. “Just make sure they know they’re supposed to come down after the game.”

  Stan nodded. “I’ll make sure they know.”

  “Okay, Meatball, I know you’re pumped you got your girl back, but we have a game to play. And it’s not just any game.”

  It was game six in the finals. If the Renegades could win this, they would win the Cup tonight, here, in front of their home crowd, and Hailee. His heart was full, knowing Hailee still loved him. The way he felt right now, his heart pounding and blood speeding through his veins, no matter what happened, he was walking away a winner.

  “Don’t be a lovesick puss, Meatball,” Matt called across the room.

  “Shut it, Matt. I’ll show you a puss when I kick your ass.” Even Matt picking on him couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

  “Zanetti!” Coach Walker called, quieting the locker room. “I know you have a lady in the stands rooting for you. Focus that energy into your game. We’re all behind you and the D will back you up out there. Right guys? It’s almost game time. Take a few moments, then line up.”

  “Zanetti,” Stan called from the doorway. “Passes are going out to the girls as we speak.”

  Assistant Coach Sal led the guys in a quick prayer, asking to keep them all safe tonight. When he was done, Coach Walker clapped his hands. “Let’s go, men! Game six — you can do this!”

  Dom hopped in place at the end of the line, ready to head down the tunnel, two hops on each side, back and forth. His stomach flopped, and his legs felt heavy. He shook out his legs then his arms. Two heavy breaths in, two quick breaths out. Closing his eyes, he counted to twenty. He was ready. “Let’s do this!” he yelled. The boys answered with cheers.

  The team filed out on to the ice, one by one. The crowd roared. The music blared. Dom skated to his goal, sparing a quick look and a wink back at Hailee. The smile she responded with was everything he needed before his focus was all on the game. He slid back and forth, digging up the ice to make it less slippery, plus causing a little snow buildup to help slow the puck. He looked up at the video board. Game six.

  He took a deep breath and squirted water on his face. This was it. The Cup finals. We could win it all tonight. His mind moved to Hailee in the audience. I have to focus. He pushed her out of his mind and continued to go through his pre-game rituals. He dug his skates into the ice a few more times, back and forth he skated. He tapped each side of the goal and the crossbar with his stick, then each of his leg pads.
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  The anthem singer took his place on the ice. The crowd cheered for him, then quickly became silent. Dom pulled off his mask and bowed his head as the anthem began. When the song was over, the crowd cheered. Dom put his helmet back on and hopped from leg to leg and yelled, “One-two-three, go Renegades!”

  The men lined up at center ice and they dropped the puck. Game on.

  The Renegades kept the puck in Detroit’s end for most of the first period, keeping things quiet on his end of the ice. Dom looked up at the scoreboard, watching what was happening on the other end of the ice. The Renegades played keep away with the puck, passing it back and forth between them. The first period ended scoreless. The second period was more of the same.

  “Hey guys, I’m getting bored down here!” he yelled, knowing no one was going to hear him.

  The fans banged on the glass behind him, some booed and others cheered. With every noise they made, he got pumped. Skating from side to side, he kept warmed up, ready for the puck to come back his way.

  In the third period, Detroit found their balls and got it past the Renegades and down towards Dom. Tyler tried to steal the puck, but Detroit took it back and shot at the net. The puck bounced off Dom’s shoulder and deflected back out to Detroit. Their captain slapped it back towards the net, and Kris dove in front of it, stopping it from getting near their goal.

  With the score tied 1–1 and only two minutes left in the game, Kris had control of the puck. Dom’s stomach twisted and his breathing quickened. A drop of sweat dripped down his face. He couldn’t let them score. Letting Detroit get one up on them was the worst thing that could happen. He had to keep the puck out of his net.

  Taking it down the ice to Detroit’s side, Kris passed the puck cross the ice east to west to Patrick, who tapped it over to Sam. Dom watched as much as he could, but bodies were in the way. Glancing at the video screen from time to time for an unobstructed view of the net, he clenched his teeth. If the guys scored, he wanted to see every second of it. Sam one-timed it to the net, but it was deflected off Detroit’s goalie. The puck flew past Detroit’s defense and right to Kris. He slapped it to the net, but it hit the post with a loud clanging sound, bouncing to the boards. Patrick stole it out from under a defenseman and passed it to Tyler, who slapped it right in the goalie’s five-hole. Score!