Troy “SuperTroy” Ashton loves his sister Lizzie. And his sister loves hockey. Other than getting the puck into the other team’s net to score a point, Troy knows nothing about the game. But when the local team’s arch-rival comes to town on Lizzie’s birthday, it seems like the perfect gift. And even though he can’t shake a niggling worry that something isn’t quite right at home, he’s determined to see that Lizzie enjoys herself.
As the big night out unfolds, Troy learns all about his sister’s obsession. What’s high sticking? He learns. What’s a hat trick? He learns. Who’s Lizzie’s favorite player? Oh, he definitely learns. But Lizzie and everyone else in the arena learn first-hand what Troy’s all about, too, when an emergency arises mid-game and he flies into action.
Can SuperTroy give his sister a super birthday to remember or will things back at home with his omega, Beck, eclipse everything else?
“That was ...” Lizzie said when Troy set them down just outside the main entrance to the arena. She looked around and seemed to become self-conscious, patting her hair. “Everybody’s looking at us.”
Troy had become so used to people staring at him, getting out their phones to film him, even asking him for selfies, he hardly took any notice anymore. “It’s okay. They’ll soon lose interest.” Turning to the crowd he said more loudly, “Thanks, guys. Just flew here to avoid the traffic. There’s no emergency.”
This didn’t seem to satisfy the slowly growing cluster of onlookers who yelled out questions to him or spoke of their admiration for his work. Troy waved and smiled at them, thanked them, took Lizzie’s arm, and guided her through the glass doors into the arena’s main reception.
It was almost as busy inside the building as it was outside. Still, it was game day, and most people seemed to be wearing team colors, either for the Marauders or ... “Who’re they playing today?”
Lizzie rolled her eyes. “Dallas,” she said through gritted teeth.
“There’s a heated rivalry between us and Dallas then?”
“Yes. Don’t you know anything about our local team?”
“Not a lot it seems.” Football was his game of choice.
They’d joined a long line of people waiting to have their tickets checked. He hoped they were heading towards the correct entrance for their part of the arena. It’d suck if they had to join another line somewhere else. More people were staring, whispering, getting out their phones. Troy did his now well-practiced wave and smile, but kept his attention on the line that was slowly moving forward.
“Excuse me, Mr. SuperTroy,” said a young man wearing a Marauder’s tee with a nametag pinned to it and a messenger bag slung around his neck.
“Hi, and it’s just Troy.”
“Okay.” The kid’s hands fluttered nervously. “I’m Pete from Team Services.”
“Pleased to meet you, Pete.” Troy smiled and held his hand out to shake.
The kid smiled and seemed to relax a little. “Management have asked me to invite you to sit in one of the hospitality suites to watch the game tonight.”
“Awesome!” Lizzie bounced on the balls of her feet.
Troy let go of Pete’s hand. He was uncomfortable whenever his superhero status got him special treatment. “Thank you, Pete, but we already have tickets to --”
“We accept,” Lizzie cut in. “Will we also get to meet the team after the game?”
“Lizzie!” Troy warned.
“That was going to be my next question.” Pete smiled. “Would you guys like to meet some of the players after the game?”
“Definitely!” Lizzie did more bouncing.
Troy’s stomach rumbled, reminding him he hadn’t eaten since lunch. “Is there anywhere I can get a burger or something?”
“You can order food from your suite and it’ll be delivered to you.”
“Cool.” Troy smiled, thinking that maybe it was sometimes okay to accept special treatment when it was offered.
