The Sport of Romance: A Multi-Author Box Set

by Cari Quinn

One night as she watched a game from the press box, she noticed one of the Boston players switching sticks, from one to another and then back again. Players oftentimes used more than one stick during a game because the composite sticks were susceptible to breaking, but this guy was switching back and forth between the same two sticks, which wasn’t usual.

  It appeared he was using one stick in the defensive zone and another in the offensive zone. She couldn’t tell from her vantage point high above the ice what was different about the sticks however. In addition, he was coming off the ice after the offensive zone face-offs in favor of the team’s star scoring center, who was taking very few face-offs.

  Using her microphone connection to the bench, she told Eric what she’d been seeing and asked him to have a peek at the player’s sticks.

  After a while, the coach reported back there was a much bigger curve on the stick the player used in the offensive zone than the one for the defensive zone. They decided to check out video in between periods to try to figure out why the player was switching sticks, as well as why the other center wasn’t taking face-offs.

  The period ended, and as she and Doug got to the coaches’ office, an idea took shape, and she nodded. “I think he’s using Karalov’s stick for the offensive zone face-offs.”

  “Why would he do that?” Doug asked.

  “I don’t know, but that stick was from a different manufacturer than his usual stick. I bet if we looked closer it would have Karalov’s name and number on it.”

  Eric strolled in. “What are you guys talking about?”

  “Sarah thinks Larson is using Karalov’s stick for those face-offs in the O-zone.”

  “Interesting. What would make him change sticks all the time?”

  “That’s what we were debating,” Sarah answered. “It didn’t seem right to me that a checking center like Larson would use a stick with such a wicked curve. Then I noticed it’s a different manufacturer than his regular stick. That’s when I started thinking maybe it was Karalov’s stick, since everybody knows how much Karalov likes those banana boats. Can you try to get a better look at the beginning of the second to see if the curved stick has Karalov’s information on it?”

  “Will do, but maybe we can see whether or not it does in the video.”

  “True. We should try that first. That way, we could talk to Jon before the end of intermission,” Sarah said.

  The three of them watched the video, and sure enough, the stick belonged to Karalov. Now they just had to figure out why Larson was using Karalov’s stick, and why Karalov himself wasn’t taking face-offs.

  They went to see Jon with the information, and together with the other coaches, plus Ben and the assistant captains, they decided to continue to watch both players during the upcoming period, since they had no consensus for why Larson would be using another player’s stick. If they saw something, they still had the entire third period to take action.

  Just before the team hit the ice at the end of intermission Jon pulled Sarah aside. “Thanks for noticing the situation. None of us saw it.”

  She sent up a quick prayer it was the start of him trusting her again. If management decided to let her go after the season, she didn’t know what she’d do. Sarah loved being a part of this hockey team.

  In the second period, Karalov didn’t use his left hand very often. They surmised he had injured his hand or his wrist at some point earlier in the game, but while that would explain why the man wasn’t taking face-offs, it didn’t explain why Larson was using Karalov’s stick. Sarah bet the stick’s curvature was illegal, which would give Larson an advantage in those offensive zone face-offs. He’d be able to more easily redirect the puck in the desired direction. She called down to Eric and, after the Storm fell down by two near the end of the second period, Jon called for a stick measure.

  The officials took the stick, which was Karalov’s stick but currently in Larson’s hands, measured it, found it had an illegal curve, and confiscated it. Larson got a two-minute penalty for using another player’s stick, and the bench was assessed a minor penalty for the illegal stick.

  The Storm scored twice on the ensuing five and three and the power play that followed their first goal. The Storm won the game 4-3. In the locker room after the game, Jon acknowledged it was Sarah who figured out the two-stick puzzle, and the team gave her a cheer, which finally took away some of the tension about her job.

  Now if she could only find a way to earn back Sebastian’s trust. She glanced at him, but his gaze was locked on the floor in front of him. Her heart ached for him, and she went to her office surrounded by the familiarity of abject sadness.

  * * *

  With a little over two weeks left in the regular season, the Storm faced a rough stretch where they played a game nearly every other night. Sebastian welcomed the busy schedule. It was easier not to deal with the mess that was his personal life. At least only a few were road games, and those were short trips to division rivals Toronto and Boston.

  The team clinched the playoffs during that stretch, but the players made a pact to go on a run and try to capture the first overall spot. That was one of the only things that excited Sebastian—the team had clinched a spot so early yet they weren’t taking their foot off the gas. A team who came into the playoffs on a high rather than sitting back and taking it easy did better.

  Going into the playoffs on a winning streak and capturing the first spot in their conference would not only mean they’d have home ice advantage for the entire duration of the playoffs, but their confidence would be sky-high. The team played well on the road, but coming into the Storm’s building was getting more and more difficult for opposing teams, which was exactly what Jon wanted.

  Sebastian was proud to be a part of the success of the team that had lost just eight games out of thirty-five played at home so far. No team wanted to face Buffalo on home ice.

  The team dedicated themselves to the pact with a level of determination Sebastian had never seen but wanted to hold onto forever. They lived and died for each other on the ice, working like dogs to stay ahead of their opponents. Many of them were playing hurt, including him. He was nursing a lower back injury that with any luck would calm down in time for the grind of the playoffs.

  As the playoffs grew closer, he saw less and less of Sarah even though they worked increasingly long hours. They’d begun to get together for dinners and coffee to talk, at Sebastian’s request, but they always met in public. He hadn’t asked to come to her house since that night he’d had the nightmare there.

  During these get-togethers, he didn’t touch her other than to steady her on a patch of ice or when he helped her into his car, and though he mourned the close physical relationship they’d enjoyed when they’d first begun to date, taking things slow was the best chance they had of surviving all of this. He didn’t even know how to classify what they were doing now. Even worse, Sebastian wasn’t sure if he was afraid to be alone with her or if there was more going on. The whole bachelor auction thing was really messing with his head. It was the last freaking thing he needed to worry about during his first playoffs.

  The NHL playoffs were well-known for being the most difficult in sports. They were so grueling mentally and physically they could sap the strength of even the strongest, most intense player for months afterward. The level of intensity was so high for so long the playoffs were at their heart an exercise in attrition; survival of the fittest in its purest form.

  Before Game One Jon gathered everybody in the dressing room and gave the team a pre-game pep talk. Sebastian wasn’t sure what to expect, as Jon wasn’t known for being sentimental. He was more of a fire-and-brimstone coach.

  “You guys have been through a shitload of stuff this year, but you didn’t let everything get to you, didn’t take your eyes from the prize,” Jon said. “Well, now you have the opportunity to play for that prize. You have the right attitude, along with the tools and the desire, to win it all. I really believe that.”

  Seba
stian was riveted. He’d never heard Jon this positive and passionate.

  Jon looked around at the players. “Understanding what it took to get here, and to bring home a championship, is crucial. The playoffs are when you find out what your teammates are willing to do to win the Stanley Cup. Are you guys ready to battle for each other? To do whatever is necessary to bring this town a championship?”

  He finished his talk by gathering everybody into a group around him. He got down on one knee and peered up into the sea of faces. “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.”

  Sebastian smiled. Now that was the coach he was used to. Jon was forever quoting Michael Jordon, one of his favorite athletes. This particular quote was pretty popular in hockey circles and Sebastian wasn’t surprised Jon liked it.

  Jon let it sink in for a bit, then roared, “Let’s go win a championship! Everybody in!”

  At the end of two periods, the score was tied at one and tensions were running high in the locker room. The third period started and the Storm was pressing hard to get the go-ahead goal. It was clear the team was in for the fight of their lives. Sebastian’s line was getting double the ice time as Jon went down to three lines from the usual four. Keeping the best offensive players out there provided the team with much-needed energy.

  Unfortunately, the Storm couldn’t solve New Jersey’s goaltender and regulation ended, sending the game into overtime. Since it was the playoffs, the teams got a full twenty minutes before the start of overtime. Conceivably, overtime could last hours since it was played until a goal was scored. Because of that, the teams got extra time to rest.

  The first overtime period came and went with not much to show for it, except that two of their star players took hard hits in the corners and were held out of the game while Colby checked each over. Both players returned to the locker room in between the first and second overtimes and declared themselves ready to go. Only a severed limb would keep the guys out of the lineup in a game like this. Without any further discussion Jon put them back in the lineup.

  The second overtime period began, and several moments later, Sebastian and Ben were sprung on a two-on-one breakaway after catching the New Jersey defensemen flat-footed. They were at the end of their shift and dead tired, but Ben shoveled the puck to Sebastian, who dove for it as it careened wildly in front of him.

  He poked it just past New Jersey’s goaltender. The goal horn sounded and the crowd went berserk. Sebastian fell to the ice and Ben jumped and down, then tripped, landing on top of him, both of them laughing like lunatics. The team was exhausted but exhilarated.

  Sarah stopped Sebastian on his way to the training and the locker rooms. “I’ll be waiting after your shower if that’s okay.”

  “Yeah, sure.” He was pleased she wanted to see him and hurried through his shower and getting dressed.

  She met him in the hallway outside the locker room. “Is it okay to go to my office?”

  Sebastian momentarily panicked at the thought of being alone with her, but he knew in his gut he could trust her. “For sure, yes.”

  Sarah left the door open and Sebastian knew that was for his benefit. He appreciated her thoughtfulness, but that flew out the window the moment she looked at him and said, “Sit on the desk.”

  He did, not quite sure where this was going. She approached slowly, giving him plenty of opportunity to stop her, but he didn’t want to. He needed her touch.

  She hugged him tight. Leaning back, she said, “I’m so proud of you. I want you to know that. You’ve come so far in just one year.”

  Sebastian gave her a tired smile. “Thanks.” He reached up and cradled the side of her face, needing a more intimate connection, and she leaned into his touch. “That does mean a lot coming from you.”

  “You need to rest. Go home. Is Rob waiting for you or did you drive alone?”

  “He’s waiting, probably not very patiently.”

  Sarah grinned. “You should’ve seen him during the game. I was afraid he was going to have a heart attack.”

  “That’s the way he is,” Sebastian said with a shrug. “But yeah, I’m pretty tired. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  She gave him a soft smile. “You couldn’t keep me away.”

  As he left her office, he considered that wouldn’t be a bad thing. He needed her in his life.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The grind of the playoffs continued for Sarah and the team. The next few games seesawed like preschoolers on a sugar high, but the Storm managed to win two of the next four, sending the series back to New Jersey with a chance for the Storm to win it in six games. The team’s belief in themselves and their playing system was astounding. It was truly a treat for Sarah to be a part of, despite the emotional roller coaster she endured every game.

  With a win in game six, the Storm advanced to the second round, where they would play Montreal, a divisional rival that had given them fits all year. The teams had played six times and the Storm had won two, both at home.

  Jon didn’t want to admit it to the guys, but confided to the operations staff that he was apprehensive about their chances. She and Doug spent every available minute preparing video and making notes for the series with Montreal, going back over analysis they’d done a few weeks ago and adding heaps more to their research.

  Sarah called Marcy one night after taking a short break from another long session of video analysis. The wall had been holding her up, but she found herself sliding to the concrete floor of the arena’s inner concourse. It wasn’t comfortable, but her body didn’t care. It wanted sleep.

  She’d been making a point to speak with Marcy at least once or twice a week in order to keep some semblance of normalcy around her. After exchanging pleasantries Sarah declared, “The playoffs are going to kill me.” As she spoke, she moved her neck around to loosen the tense muscles and when something cracked she groaned.

  “That bad?”

  “It’s hard to describe. The team is playing well, and it’s riveting to watch this from behind the scenes the way they’ve come together and are fighting toward one common purpose. You wouldn’t believe the crazy things they’re doing, like not washing socks, walking into the arena in a specific order, listening to the same songs over and over. Frankly, it’s nuts.”

  Marcy chuckled. “I can imagine. So how are you and Sebastian?”

  “We’re good. We actually don’t see very much of each other outside the rink right now because of the playoffs. Not surprisingly, he doesn’t have much energy left in the tank for us. And then there’s me. I’m still a little confused.” Baby steps, she reminded herself.

  “About what?”

  “About why I acted like I did. I mean, I was scared. But Sebastian is incredible! So why did I pick those fights and then shut him out?”

  “Maybe what scares you is you’ve finally met your match.”

  It was the first time anyone had suggested Sebastian might be “the one” for Sarah, and her heart fluttered. “Maybe.”

  “How is he reacting to you?”

  “He’s finally letting me touch him some. It’s basically just holding hands and a little kissing and stuff, but it’s something. Even if he wanted to have sex, when would we find the time? The team is so busy and Doug and I are working all the time too, trying to get the proverbial edge.”

  Sarah laughed. “You know one odd thing Sebastian does? After every practice he skates three laps around the ice, always counterclockwise. These guys are so superstitious. It’s hilarious, but I don’t dare laugh to their faces. They take all this stuff very seriously.”

  “So you still aren’t seeing much of each other? That’s too bad.”

  “Well, we see each other all the time, but as for quality time, no. From what I’ve heard from the guys’ wives, it’s like this every year. They become ‘hockey widows,’ you know, like when women complain about their husbands watching football every Sunday during the season and they call them ‘football widows.’ I’m lucky in t
hat I see Sebastian a lot more than most of the wives see their husbands because I travel with the team.

  “When do get quality time we eat out or go to a movie. He’s too fried from the pace to do much more, and he still doesn’t seem to want to hang out at my house.”

  After stifling a yawn, Sarah continued. “This is his first time in the NHL playoffs and he’s getting a lot of ice time, which is taking a toll on him, both physically and mentally. Add to that all the stuff he’s gone through in the past few months and I can’t blame him for having nothing in the tank. I’m trying to be supportive and just let him do his thing.”

  “That’s good,” Marcy answered. “Just take things slow. There’s no reason to rush.”

  “I know. And my counseling is helping, I think. I’m much calmer and more confident that I can handle adversity.” She chuckled. “Know what I figured out the other day?” Without waiting for an answer, she said, “Sebastian and I reversed roles in a lot of ways. He wanted a commitment, he wanted to settle down, and I was the skittish one. Isn’t he supposed to be in the midst of his roaring twenties? Sowing his wild oats?”

  “Some people never do. I didn’t. On that note, I should let you get the hell out of there so you can go to bed. Remember, be gentle with him and with yourself.”

  For some reason, Sarah teared up. “You’re an incredible woman, Marcy, and an incredible friend.”

  By Game Five, the socks were becoming downright disgusting, and between the tune repetitions, the skating in circles and the other weird routines the boys insisted on, Sarah was sure the entire team had lost its mind.

  Both teams had won their games on home ice and now it was time for one team or the other to pull ahead. Sarah was as nervous as the players shifting around in their chairs in the video room. Jon had called the meeting to discuss the face-off thing but was twenty-five minutes late. Jon was always late, many times even later than she herself was, so that wasn’t a surprise, but the guys were getting pretty restless, with good reason.