Chapter 137

Lucas POV

My heart was still racing as I stepped off the ice, still overcome with emotion due to our victory.

The stands were echoing with the deafening roars of the crowd, and I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear as people congratulated me.

My team surrounded me as we tried to make it back to the locker rooms. The sensation of triumph surged through our veins, making us feel like we were invincible.

But there was something even more important than the win that I needed to do right now— find Shana.

I couldn't wait to share this moment with her. She had been my support this whole time, the one who was giving me strength to continue.

I know the past few days between us had been a little difficult with everything going on. There was still so much uncertainty surrounding her shift and so many questions.

I almost felt embarrassed for getting upset with her about Professor Black. She was right, after all. He was there to help us, not interfere in any way.

And then I thought about the way she had tried to comfort me before the game. Her soft lips pressed against mine...

Knowing she was in the crowd waiting for me made my victory all the sweeter. I needed to see her.

As I made my way through the bustling sidelines, my excitement was somewhat tempered by a line of coaches from various universities and professional hockey teams who were eagerly awaiting my attention.

I almost forgot that there would be scouts here watching us play to see who would get a spot at their school’s teams.

Multiple coaches offered me their cards, shaking my hand and commending me on my skill as a captain.

It was a humbling experience, being approached by so many potential schools and coaches for my talents, but it was also incredibly overwhelming.

"Lucas, we've got big plans for someone like you," one coach exclaimed as he handed me his business card, his eyes glinting with excitement. "You'd make a great addition to our team."

Another coach chimed in, "You could be a game-changer for us, Lucas! We'd love to have you on board. Consider applying for our school."

As I tried to maintain my composure while accepting their cards and listening to their enticing offers, my mind couldn't help but wander to the university that had captured my dreams since I was a thirteen-year-old boy.

Hawking University. Their vibrant colors of blue and black, coupled with their outstanding academic programs, were nothing short of phenomenal. But what truly set them apart was their hockey team, a real powerhouse of talent and dedication.

For years, they had maintained top rankings amongst all other universities and their star players often become professional athletes.

I had idolized those players, dissecting their movements and training regimes as if they held the secrets to my own success. Which I supposed in a way, they did. Everything that I knew about hockey I had learned from watching them play.

It all started when my father decided to take me on a tour of the Hawking University campus after I'd shifted for the first time at thirteen.

He had attended Hawking University himself back when he graduated from high school. He went to the university for business studies and was eager to show me around the place that he believed would be my future.

Of course, knowing that my father wanted me to go here made me resent it minorly. I wanted to have the chance to pick my own school.

"You'll enjoy going to school here, Lucas," my father had said as we passed by the old stone gargoyles that adorned the entrance.

Even though I wasn't crazy about the school, Hawking University's campus was beautiful. And it wasn't the academic programs that had changed my interest in it that day.

Blue and black flags waved in the wind, showcasing the university's mascot, the Phoenixes. Statues of the large black phoenix were scattered across the campus, in case anyone forgot what campus they were on.

It was a powerful symbol of what the school represented. After all, phoenixes represent rising from the ashes.

During my father's tour, Hawking University seemed like any other college to me, and I was initially disinterested in the idea of ever attending. My father's insistence on me attending made me resent the idea more.

However, my opinion on the school drastically changed when he took me to watch a Phoenixes hockey game.

I was never a big hockey fan before and wasn't excited going into it.

I remember sitting in the stands, arms crossed, just wishing that I could go home.

But as the crowd erupted in loud cheers, chanting and supporting their school's team, something inside me changed. I found myself getting caught up in the excitement and began to cheer along with them.

Even my father clapped a few times, a man who hardly ever showed any other emotion besides seriousness.

I witnessed how powerful the spirit of the fans was. It was strong enough to make a man like my father cheer with pure enthusiasm.

In that moment, I discovered my passion for hockey and the Phoenixes. They were the reason why I had felt such a strong connection with Hawking University now.

While my father believed that my eagerness to attend Hawking University was merely a reflection of his wishes, it had evolved into a dream of my own.

I was no longer being forced to want to go there. I was genuinely excited to have the opportunity to study there and above all, join their legendary hockey team and hopefully make a name for myself other than the heir to the Busch business.

I felt like if I could accomplish one thing in my life, it would be that.

As I approached the scout for Hawking University, he gave me a firm handshake and nod.

"You're performance out there on the ice would make a lot of our own players jealous," the coach said with a hopeful look in his eyes. "I think you're just the kind of player we're looking for Mr. Busch."

"Thank you," I said, shaking his hand firmly back. "I've been a fan of your school for a long time now."

"That's right, your father attended, didn't he?"

I nodded. "He did. The Phoenix spirit runs deep in my family."

"Well, I'm very happy to hear that. I believe you could make history with us if you consider our school."

I thanked him for his kind words and offer. There was no denying that it was a thrilling moment, but my mind was still on the one person who truly mattered.

I scanned the crowd in search of Shana's familiar smiling face, but I couldn't spot her.

Where was she? I just saw her a few moments ago.

Feeling slightly concerned, I decided to head to my personal locker room, thinking she might be waiting for me there.

I hoped that I would be able to get some alone time with her, to celebrate our victory in private and... well, maybe steal another kiss.

But as I approached the locker room and pushed the door open, I froze in my tracks.

Shana was inside on the phone and hot tears were filling her eyes.

I didn't even think, I just burst through the door.

"Shana, what's wrong?" My heart beat rapidly against my chest as I took in her state.