Various Bedlam players were lounging along the boards by their bench. She couldn't see Leo and wondered if he were there and merely obscured or if something had happened.
The GM Jerry Spielman stood at the end of the carpet, close to center ice. "Most Valuable Player is our captain, Dylan Fraser."
The crowd cheered long and loud. No one expected Dylan to be there, but he walked out along the carpet, dressed in a pale blue button down shirt and gray pants.
Thunderous applause shook the building and fans rose to give him a standing ovation. He waved to the crowd, turning in each direction. The players all banged their sticks against the ice while he posed for a photo with the GM.
Kelsey smiled wide, ready for her interview with her brother. "Dylan, tell me, how does it feel to be selected MVP by your teammates and the city's sports columnists?"
His face filled the Jumbotron as he spoke. "It's a great feeling. This is a special group of guys, and we're going to bring a championship home this season." Dylan glanced wistfully at the bench. "I'll do my best to get back there this season."
The crowd cheered again.
The cameras flashed back to Jerry. "The winner for Outstanding Defenseman is Vince Forsberg."
Vince skated forward, shaking his blond hair out of his face. The maze of players parted enough to show Leo. He sat on the bench chatting with Slater, the redheaded rookie.
"Hey, Kels," Vince stopped his skates and sent a small shower of ice in his wake.
"Vince." She searched her mind for her now-lost question and took a deep breath. "Right. You've won this award for the past three years. Can you talk about what it means to you?"
Vince basically repeated the same answer he'd given her the previous year, and Kelsey nodded at the right moments. "Thank you."
Jerry smiled at the next announcement. "The most votes for Most Improved Player is Slater Knox." Chants of "Knoxie" filled the air. Celek's nickname for the rookie had caught on.
Slater looked up in surprise. Leo pounded him on the back and pushed him to his skates. The rookie climbed over the bench and rushed to take the photo with Jerry, then he skated back to the bench.
Kelsey kept her smile in place. None of the guys had to talk to her if they didn't want to, but in this case, it seemed like Slater wasn't aware or was so nervous and excited that he forgot. Leo stood, turned the rookie around, and pointed directly at her. She fought to keep all of her focus on Slater, and to ignore Leo.
His face as red as his hair, Slater arrived for his moment in the spotlight.
"Slater, this has been a big year for you. In what area do you feel you've most improved?"
"Well, I'm much better at getting to the rink on time now, for sure." He paused while the crowd laughed. "And I'm learning how to cook." He grinned at the applause. "Oh, but for hockey, I think I've most improved by learning how to be a better teammate. Thank you."
She liked his honest and real answers so much, she hugged him. "Please, Knoxie, don't ever change."
Jerry cleared his throat. "Continuing on, the Ambassador Award is presented annually to the player who best illustrates character, dignity and respect for the sport both on and off the ice. This year we have a tie, Rod Fraser and Anton Celek."
The crowd cheered. Movement in the corner of her gaze caught her attention. Kelsey turned her head. Dylan watched the ceremony from the tunnel. She mouthed wait for me and he nodded.
Rod and Celek skated toward her with their arms draped over each other's shoulders. Rod grinned at the camera. "We just told each other that we voted for each other, so it's funny how this worked out."
"I'm happy to share any award with Rod," Celek added.
"Congrats, you guys." Kelsey focused on Jerry. One more award and then the game would be underway.
"Our final award is given to the player who demonstrated the most heart during the season as voted on by the players. This year's Heart Award is special in that the vote was unanimous. It goes to Leo Brennan."
Oh no. Cold seeped into her bones. She wasn't ready for this. Maybe he wouldn't come over. Her heartbeat fluttered like a frantic butterfly trapped within her chest.
The crowd was largely silent. All of the players lined the ice and tapped their sticks like they'd done for Dylan. Then, they skated to Leo and one by one, each shook his hand. Rod took it a step further and hugged him. Then Dylan walked past Kelsey to congratulate Leo at the end of the carpet with a handshake and a hug. Applause finally broke out from the stands, and it grew into cheering as loud as the crowd had given any other player.
Stunned, Kelsey realized that the fans had finally forgiven Leo for everything that they'd held against him, even if he still couldn't forgive himself.
Leo headed toward her. She swallowed hard and grasped her microphone with sweaty palms. Looking into his eyes hurt too much. She focused on the familiar Bedlam logo on his chest and told herself that she didn't love him, that he was just an ordinary player. "Congratulations. A unanimous vote is pretty special. What does that mean to you, knowing that all of your teammates selected you for this award?"
"I'm shocked that I won, but deeply honored. I'll make sure to thank my teammates by always putting in my best efforts in every game."
She forced herself to meet his gaze, after all she was a professional and needed to act like it. Troubled gray storm clouds swirled in his depths. Her chest hurt so much breathing was difficult. There was so much she wanted to say, but not in full view of a sold-out crowd. And would there be any
