Chapter 115 Victory
Melissa’s POV
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my Titans jersey one more time.
It was official merchandise…it was deep blue with silver accents, it had the team logo emblazoned across the chest. I’d paired it with dark jeans and boots, with my hair pulled back in a high ponytail.
Today was game day. Finally the day of the championship.
My stomach fluttered with nerves even though I wasn’t the one playing.
“You look perfect,” Gavin said from the doorway.
I turned to find him already dressed in suit pants and a crisp white shirt, his own Titans jersey was draped over one arm. He’d put it on at the arena, maintaining his big boy professional image until game time.
“You sure?” I smoothed down the front of the jersey. “Not too casual?”
“You’re the team photographer. You’re supposed to look like you’re part of the team.” He crossed the room and pulled me against him. “And you look beautiful.”
“Flatterer.”
“It’s the truth.” He kissed my forehead. “Ready?”
“Ready.” I grabbed my camera bag. “Let’s crush them.”
Gavin smiled, making his whole face light up. “You’re oddly competitive.”
“I’ve been with this team all season. They’re my guys now.” I poked his chest. “And your guys. So yes, we’re going to crush them.”
“I love you,” he said, still smiling.
“I love you too.” I stood on my toes and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Now let’s go win a championship.”
We headed for the elevator. Marcus drove us to Titans Arena. The streets were already packed with fans streaming toward the building, there was a sea of blue and silver jerseys.
The energy was electric.When we pulled up to the VIP entrance, the crowd outside the barriers started cheering. Someone recognized Gavin’s car.
“Mr. Cross! Mr. Cross!”
“We’re going to win tonight!”
“Titans forever!”
Gavin waved through the window, making some young girls literally faint outside. Inside the arena, it was controlled chaos. Staff were rushing everywhere. Players from other teams were arriving. Coaches were huddled with clipboards.
The moment Gavin walked in, everyone stopped.
“Mr. Cross.” “Sir.” “Good evening, Mr. Cross.”
A wave of acknowledgment rippled through the corridor as people turned to greet him.
He nodded to each of them, exchanged a few words with the coaching staff, shook hands with the team captain.
I hung back slightly with a camera in my hand, capturing these pre-game moments.
Then we made our way to the owner’s box.
The arena was filling up fast. Thousands of fans pouring into their seats, the noise level rising with each passing minute.
Game One: Titans vs. Boston Bruins
The lights dimmed. Music blasted through the speakers. The jumbotron lit up with highlight reels.
The crowd roared.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome YOUR NEW YORK TITANS!”
The team skated out onto the ice in an explosion of pyrotechnics and screaming fans.
I was on my feet immediately, with my camera raised, capturing their entrance. The way they circled the ice. The way Jake raised his stick to the crowd.
Beautiful.The puck dropped.
Boston came out aggressive, trying to intimidate them early with physical play. But our guys held strong.
Morrison scored first…a beautiful shot from the blue line that sailed past the goalie’s shoulder.
The arena erupted.I captured it all. The goal. The celebration. The crowd’s reaction.
Boston fought back hard, but our defense was impenetrable. Davis scored another. Then Rodriguez sealed it with a third.
Final score: Titans 3, Boston 1.
One down.
Game Two: Titans vs. Detroit Red Wings
Detroit was faster and much more technical than Boston.They scored first, catching our guys off guard with a lightning-quick breakaway.
My stomach dropped.But Davis answered back five minutes later with a one-timer that nearly tore the net.
The game went back and forth. It was a very intense game and every hit made me wince. I remember praying so hard at one point i was so scared of my boys losing.
Rodriguez scored the winning goal in the final two minutes…a slap shot from center ice that somehow found its way through traffic.
Final score: Titans 4, Detroit 3.
Two down.
I was barely breathing by the end of that one.
Game Three: Titans vs. Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver brought their A-game.
The best goalie in the league. A defensive line that seemed impenetrable.
The first period ended 0-0.
Second period: still 0-0.
The tension in the arena was suffocating. Fans were on edge. I’d stopped taking photos, too absorbed in watching.
Then Morrison broke through. A perfect assist from Davis, a one-timer that found the top corner.The crowd went absolutely insane.
Our goalie held strong for the rest of the game. Vancouver couldn’t get past him.
Final score: Titans 2, Vancouver 0.
Three down.One more to go.
Championship Game: Titans vs. Sterling Sharks
The atmosphere shifted the moment Sterling took the ice.
The opposing team’s section erupted in cheers. Black and gold jerseys filled nearly a third of the arena.
Then Sterling skated out onto the ice.They were last year's champions and they always locked necks with titans. Let’s just say they were the biggest competition.
My hands tightened on my camera.
I was shooting the players entrance when I saw a face that made me almost throw up.Tasha.
She wore Sterling’s black and gold. Her blonde hair was styled in perfect waves. Her makeup was flawless. And she held a professional camera that probably cost more than my entire setup.
Of course she was here, my mind kind of filtered her out. But when I remembered what she did to me during the sterling interview I couldn’t help but be filled with anger.
Our eyes met across the ice.And she grinned.
My stomach dropped to my feet. My hands started shaking so badly I had to lower my camera.
All the air left my lungs. “Melissa?” Gavin’s voice cut through my spiral. His hand found my shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Tasha raised her camera. Pointed it directly at me. And took a photo. Then she blew me a kiss. Something hot and violent surged through my chest.
“Melissa.” Gavin’s voice was sharper now and more concerned. “Talk to me.”
“That’s her,” I managed to say. My voice came out strangled. “Tasha is here.”
Gavin’s expression went cold. That dangerous kind of cold that meant someone was about to have a very bad day.
“Do you want me to take her away?” he asked quietly.
“No. Let's ignore her.” The word came out fierce. I raised my camera again. My hands were still shaking but I forced them steady.
“I’m going to do my job,” I said. “I’m going to photograph our team winning this championship. And she’s going to watch.”
Gavin studied my face for a long moment. Then he smiled. Slow and proud.
“That’s my girl.”
The puck dropped. Sterling came out hard and brutal.They scored within the first ninety seconds…a play so quick our goalie didn’t have time to react.
The Sterling section erupted.I saw Tasha jumping up and down, screaming, hugging the other media personnel around her.
My jaw clenched.
Our guys rallied. Morrison pushed hard, Davis right behind him.
But Sterling’s defense was impenetrable. Every shot was blocked. Every play was disrupted.
The first period ended: Sterling 2, Titans 0.
My stomach was in knots.Second period, our guys came back fighting.
Davis scored. Finally, The arena exploded with relief.
Sterling 2, Titans 1.
Then Rodriguez tied it up five minutes later with a slap shot that barely made it past Sterling’s goalie.
2-2.
The game was brutal. Players were slammed into boards. Sticks broke. Blood was drawn.The third period started and Sterling came out absolutely vicious.
They scored. Then scored again.
Sterling 4, Titans 2.
Six minutes left.
Morrison scored. 4-3.
Three minutes left.
The Titans pushed with everything they had. Desperation in every movement.Rodriguez had the puck. He was flying toward the goal, Sterling’s defense closing in.
He took the shot…
The goalie caught it.
Two minutes.
Sterling pushed back. Their captain had a clear path…
He scored.
Sterling 5, Titans 3.
One minute left.
I couldn’t watch. I held my breath praying so hard for my boys to win this..Gavin’s hand found mine. Squeezed tight.
The buzzer sounded.
Sterling Sharks: Champions.
The Sterling section exploded. Confetti…black and gold…rained down on their side of the arena.
Our section sat in stunned silence.
I watched Sterling’s team pile onto each other. I watched them celebrate. I watched the trophy being brought out.
And across the ice, Tasha was photographing all of it with the biggest smile I’d ever seen on her face.
She looked directly at me.
Raised her camera.
And took another photo.