"I'm impressed." Leo toasted her with his drink. "Rod and Dylan weren't kidding when they told me that you were tough."
She shrugged. "For me, it was more about doing what's right. Your teammates are like your family so you protect them like family."
Mike lifted his glass in toast. "You'll fit in well with us then."
"Kelsey, tell me, did you lay this guy out for hitting your brother?" Eyes sparkling with laughter, Xavier thumped Leo on the back.
Kelsey waited until Leo had elbowed his brother. "I'm still waiting for the right opportunity. When he's least expecting it, I'll make sure I even the score."
The brothers all laughed and she laid her hand on Leo's thigh and squeezed so he'd know without a doubt that she'd been kidding.
"It'll be good to have you home this summer. We miss you around here." Mike's words were echoed by agreements from his sons.
Leo nodded. "I've missed being home too. It'll be good to get back and settle in for a while."
Kelsey sipped her water. If she and Leo were together, she could easily see herself coming back to spend the summers in Philly. But if he wanted to move back permanently? She couldn't press pause on her career, not when it was finally taking off. But maybe she was getting too far ahead of herself. After all, she and Leo were pretty new.
But she couldn't shake the thought of him belonging with her. Of them belonging together.
She glanced around the table, cozy with the friendly banter and obvious love. Under the table, Leo held her hand. She needed to enjoy the moment and not obsess about the future and all of the unknowns. Especially when the moments were as great as this one.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE BEDLAM ARENA WAS filled to capacity. Every fan and every player were hyped up for the game against the Bedlam's most bitter rival, the Chicago Bluster.
Leo fed off the energy. He loved the crowd's reaction to every hit and every play. It had the atmosphere of a playoff game.
At the start of the second period, he lined up with Dylan and Celek for the face off. Vince and Gostowski were on defense. Top lines against top lines.
Dylan won the face off. The puck flew to Leo. He spun around, holding off Nylander as he knocked the puck and sent it flying along the boards. Celek and Dylan took off after it. They split up at the blue line. Celek knocked the puck to Dylan. Within a second, the captain fired it at the goalie. It inched past his glove and hit the back of the net.
The goal light and siren went off and the crowd leapt to its feet. Grinning, Leo hugged Vince and they skated toward Dylan.
"Nice job, captain."
He followed Dylan to the bench, waiting while Dylan skated the length of it, high-fiving teammates as he passed.
A shot of red flew from the Chicago bench. Bertuzzi, a hulking, fourth-line goon, lunged at Dylan. He leapt off the ice and his shoulder speared Dylan's head. The captain fell backward, body slamming to the ice.
What the...
Leo charged after him. Rage seared his muscles. He tossed his gloves aside and smashed his fist into Bertuzzi's face. "What the hell? You fucking asshole."
Holding the idiot by the jersey, he pulled back and fired again, smashing into his cheek, into his nose, and dodging blows as Bertuzzi retaliated. They spun around and around. He and the right winger had fought many battles over the past five seasons. The little shit still hadn't learned how to properly guard his body.
Leo landed another hit. "Are you fucking kidding me, attacking him like that? Aiming for his head? You better fucking hope that I'm not waiting for you in the parking lot after the game."
A blur of blue few in and Rod slammed Bertuzzi in his back, knocking the player to the ice. "You piece of shit."
Rod pushed Leo aside and fell on top of Bertuzzi, swearing and punching. Bertuzzi scissored his leg, aiming to kick Rod in the groin. Leo kicked the goon's leg away and then sat on him.
The ref and linesmen swarmed in. The ref grabbed the back of Leo's sweater and tugged hard. "Let's go. All three of you are done for the night."
Leo lumbered to standing. The linesmen stayed in between Bertuzzi and him.
"Off the ice. Now." The ref pulled him toward the bench.
His teammates were gathered on the ice, watching the doctor and trainer tend to Dylan. Leo stopped when he reached the bench door. "I'll go, but I need to see if he's okay first."
The ref opened his mouth like he was about to argue, but then he nodded and skated away.
Rod stopped between Dylan and Leo. He stared at his brother. The same worried look that he'd worn when Dylan had lain on the ice back in February had returned. The look had wrenched Leo's gut the first time, but this time, it wrenched his heart. He cared about Dylan and Rod. And Kelsey.
She was in the building. Had she seen the hit?
The PA announcer's voice filled the air. "Penalties for the Buffalo Bedlam, number fifty-five Leo Brennan and number ninety-seven Rod Fraser, each five minutes for fighting plus a major game misconduct."
The crowd booed.
"Penalty for the Chicago Bluster, number twenty-two Renato Bertuzzi, five minutes for fighting, five minutes for attempt to injure, plus a major game misconduct."
A short cheer rose from the crowd, but they quieted quickly.
He skated to Rod and draped his arm over the goalie's shoulder.
Dylan's eyes were open. He was talking. He was able to move his limbs. The doctor and trainer helped him to slowly sit up. Then, the trainer glanced at Leo. "Help us get him into the back?"
As one, he and Rod moved to Dylan's side. They
