Behind the Net: a grumpy sunshine hockey romance

EVERYONE IS STARING AT ME. This guitar is out of tune, but there isn’t time to fix it.

I’m scared. My heart beats out of my chest. My thoughts are everywhere, whizzing around like bees. I readjust the strap on my shoulder and strum a soft chord. The motion is effortless.

The Filthy Flamingo goes quiet, but I can hear my pulse in my ears. Jordan leans on the bar counter, watching. What am I going to play? I scramble for a song.

If they laugh, I’ll be so embarrassed. I could never go to another game.

I meet Jamie’s eyes, and my mind pauses. He looks like he did the other night, when I played for him. The watchful, patient expression pinning me.

I could play that song.

The sound of Zach and his manager’s laughter echoes in my head, and my lungs tighten. Playing for Jamie alone is different than playing for a bar full of people.

Across the bar, Jamie’s mouth tips up as he watches me, and he winks. Right. Getting back on the ice. I’m not ready to play my own music, though.

Everyone’s waiting. I hold Jamie’s gaze, and I hear a song in my head. A song by Roxy Music that my dad used to play when Hazel and I were kids.

I play the opening notes and start singing. My heart is still banging like a drum, so I look at Jamie while I sing, because something about him makes me feel like this is going to be okay.

After the second verse, my jitters fizzle out. While I play, I remember my dad playing this song in the living room as Hazel and I danced around to it. Our goofy dance moves made him laugh.

During the chorus, I let my voice fly higher, testing the response. I launch into the next verse, and the stage feels steadier under my feet. The other players listen with rapt attention. Hayden’s grinning his boyish smile at me, and I smile back. My gaze swings back to Jamie, and his eyes are so warm, they make my breath catch on one of the notes.

I finish the song, and the bar explodes with noise—cheering and applause. My face is on fire while I set the guitar back on the stand.

I can’t believe I just did that.

“You want to play another?” Jordan asks, arching a brow at me, but she’s smiling.

I shake my head. I feel like I could, though. “Not tonight, thank you.”

Everyone is staring at me, smiling. They aren’t laughing, so that’s good. My gaze darts around, looking for an anchor, but I’m swarmed by people congratulating me. It’s overwhelming.

“Just a moment,” I breathe before walking to the hallway with the washrooms.

I need to catch my breath, to let my heart settle down. The wall is cool and solid as I lean against it, closing my eyes and dragging in those deep yoga breaths Hazel’s always going on about.

Footsteps make my eyes open. Jamie stalks toward me with a furious look on his face.

“Wha—” I start.

His eyes flash with heat. “That was fucking amazing.”

His hand comes to the back of my neck and he drags my mouth to his.