Waiting

Ryker POV

I watch as I skate and I see my chance then their winger tries to thread a pass through the middle. I read it before it happens and I intercept the puck and take off. My skates cut in hard, my legs burn with every stride. Their defenseman lunges, but he's too late. Flicking my wrist, I send the puck sailing down the ice.

It goes straight into their empty net, and the horn blares sending the crowd wild.

Quinn is the first to slam into me, his glove smacks the back of my helmet. "There it is! Finally focused, huh? Right at the fucking edge, talk about cutting it close."

I let out a breath, nodding as the rest of the team piles in. "Yeah, I had to lock in eventually."

We kill off the last few seconds, and then it's over. We take the win, shaking hands with the other team before we skate off and go to our locker room.

The second I step inside, I start ripping off my gear. I don't have time to mess around, I need to get out of here.

Quinn notices right away. “Jesus, Ry, you in a hurry?”

Snorting, Kai nods, pulling off his jersey. “Bet he’s trying to make it to Erin and Jaxon’s performance.”

His words get a reaction and a few of the guys whistle, a couple of them laugh. "You're stressing that much?" Quinn shakes his head and tosses his gloves down. "They've had that move locked in for weeks."

“They should,” I mutter, yanking off my skates. “But it’s different in front of a crowd. If he drops her—”

“He won’t,” Kai cuts in. “They’ve got it.”

Yeah, that's what everyone says. I don't answer, I just pull my hoodie over my head and shove my gear into the bag. The rest of the guys are still celebrating, but I don't care. I grab my phone and check the time.

The performance starts soon. I sling my bag over my shoulder as I stand.

"You coming out tonight?" Kai looks at me.

"Sure, I'll meet you there after," I say as I walk towards the door.

"Wish them luck right, that's if you have time to see them before they start," Quinn call after me.

I lift my hand in response and walk out into the hallway, my legs are still burning from the game, but my mind is on one thing. Getting there in time.

Shoving out of the arena doors, my breathing comes out in sharp puffs as I make a beeline for my car. My bag weighs down on my shoulder, but I don't let it slow me. The parking lot is still half-full, a mixture of players, staff and fans filtering out of the game. I weave between them, digging out my keys while ignoring the fans trying to get my attention.

Jaxon and Erin’s event is across town, at the main civic center where they hold most of the figure skating competitions. I check the time on my phone as I unlock my car. I’m cutting it too damn close.

Tossing my bag into the backseat, I slide behind the wheel and start the engine. The heater kicks in, but I barely register the warmth as I peel out of the lot. I should’ve left the second the final horn sounded, but I had to finish the game. I had to make sure I didn’t completely abandon my team. Now, I just have to hope traffic doesn’t screw me over.

I grip the wheel tight, eyes flicking between the road and the time ticking down on the dashboard. I don’t bother blasting music, my mind is already too full, nerves twisting in my stomach like I’m the one about to step onto the ice.

The lights change and I stop. I tap my fingers against the wheel, exhaling sharply. The civic center isn’t far, maybe ten minutes if I push it. I just need to make it before they go on.

The lights turn green and I gun it, weaving through the evening traffic, barely registering the buildings flashing past. The second I spot the parking lot up ahead, I swerve into the entrance, cutting it tighter than I probably should.

The lot is packed. Figures. I don’t have time to waste looking for a decent spot, so I pull into the first open space I see, killing the engine before jumping out.

I take off toward the doors, my legs still sore from the game but my adrenaline carrying me forward. The sound of the crowd hums from inside as I push through the entrance, scanning for the staging area.

There off to the side, near the tunnel leading onto the ice. A few skaters wait, stretching, fixing their costumes, but my eyes lock on two familiar figures.

Jaxon is there standing tall, rolling out his shoulders, his face unreadable as he mentally prepares. Erin is next to him, adjusting her gloves, her expression focused but tense.

As I step closer Erin’s gaze snaps to mine. A flicker of relief crosses her face before she nudges Jaxon.

Jaxon turns, his brows raising slightly. “Didn’t think you’d actually make it.”

I huff, catching my breath. “Yeah, well. I had to win a game first.”

Erin shakes her head with a small smile. “Priorities.”

Glancing between them, my jaw tightens. I should say something, tell them to be careful, but they already know. They’ve trained for this.

Still, it feels wrong not to warn him. “Don’t drop her,” I mutter under my breath.

Jaxon exhales sharply, shaking his head. “Jesus, Ry. I’ve got her.”

“You better.”

Before they can step away, I pull them both in, my arms slinging around their shoulders. Erin leans in immediately, squeezing me back, and after a second, Jaxon does the same.

“You got this,” I say quietly. “Go kill it out there.”

Erin steps back, nodding once before turning toward the ice. Jaxon follows, exhaling slow and steady as they step out.

I stay back, watching them skate into position, my pulse matching the steady rise of the music. I made it, just in time. Now all I can do is watch.