I head to my net, centering myself. In front of the goal posts, I warm up, and my gaze locks with Pippa’s. She’s sitting behind the net with my mom and my mom’s friend. Pippa’s wearing a Vancouver Storm hat. I blink, staring at her in it, and those sparks ignite in my chest all over again. She lights up, lifting her hand in a quick, shy wave that makes the corner of my mouth tip up. I wave back, and the frustration I felt moments before melts away. She points at her hat, and I nod, letting myself smile at her. I like seeing her in my team’s gear. Beside her, my mom is chatting away, smiling.
...more
