Face Off

by P. J. Trebelhorn

  Kelly laughed and gave her an elbow to the side. Savannah could see Hilton stopped in her tracks and was facing them. She nudged Kelly and shook her head to get her to stop laughing. It didn’t much matter though, because the rest of the team had already joined in, including Hilton’s line mates.

  “You think you’re so much better than the rest of us,” Hilton said, starting to come back their way. Charlotte Green, their goalie, stepped in her path. Hilton looked up at her, because Charlotte was a good six inches taller than she was.

  “We won the damn game, Hilton,” she said. “Be happy for once in your life.”

  “Fuck off,” Hilton said and tried to step around her. Charlotte’s hand to her biceps stopped her. “Let go of me.”

  “Why are you always so pissed off?” Charlotte asked. “And nobody in this locker room is better than anyone else. I’m just so tired of listening to your shit and putting up with your drama every freaking day. Enjoy the win like the rest of us are doing, and save your bullshit for another time, okay?”

  Hilton stared at her for a moment before jerking her arm away from her and stalking off to her own locker. Savannah felt the collective sigh from everyone in the room, Gail included. She was standing a few feet away watching intently. When it was over, Gail looked at Savannah and smiled with a nod.

  Maddie was waiting for Savannah outside the locker room with Dana, Amy, and Trent. Savannah smiled and went right to her to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “Is that all I get?” Maddie asked with a pout.

  “For now,” Savannah said. “I’ll make up for it later.”

  They all walked to the parking lot together, but split up when they reached Trent’s car first. Savannah hung back while Maddie said her good-byes, and they joined hands when they headed for Savannah’s car a couple of rows over.

  “You seem quiet tonight,” Maddie said.

  “Do I? I was just thinking.”

  “About what?”

  “Something Kelly said to me earlier tonight.” Savannah’s heart was pounding so hard she thought for certain Maddie must have heard it. She stopped walking and took a deep breath. Maddie looked at her, the concern evident in her eyes. Savannah smiled at her. She hadn’t given much thought to it before tonight, but since Kelly had mentioned it, she couldn’t seem to think of a good reason for it not to happen. She just hoped Maddie felt the same.

  “You’re worrying me, Savannah. What’s going on?”

  “Have you ever thought about getting married?” Savannah cringed at the words, knowing she was botching this big time.

  “Maybe,” Maddie said hesitantly as she tilted her head to the side.

  “Never mind,” Savannah shook her head and started walking again, but Maddie grabbed her hand and gave it a tug, causing her to turn and face her again.

  “You can’t ask that question out of the blue and then just walk away,” Maddie said with a shake of her head. “Are you trying to propose to me?”

  “Maybe,” Savannah said as hesitantly as Maddie had a moment earlier. “I guess it depends on what your answer is.”

  “So, if I said no, then this would not be a proposal?” Maddie laughed. “And if I said yes it would be?”

  “I don’t have a ring to give you, so I guess either way it would not be a proposal.” Savannah sighed and wished she’d thought this through more completely before even bringing it up. She tried to walk toward her car again, but once more Maddie stopped her.

  “Then maybe I should do it.”

  Savannah stared at her in disbelief as Maddie got down on one knee. She checked their surroundings to see if anyone was watching, but the parking lot was mostly empty this long after the game had finished. She felt her cheeks flush as she watched Maddie pull a small box out of her coat pocket.

  “Maddie, what are you doing?”

  “I’m doing what you were trying to do, only I’m doing it better,” Maddie said, smiling, as she opened the box to reveal a simple gold band. “Savannah Wells, will you marry me?”

  Savannah’s throat constricted and she wasn’t sure she could speak. Was this really happening? Two weeks ago, she would have laughed in Maddie’s face for even suggesting this, but now? She couldn’t think of any reason to say anything but yes. Maddie had so completely captured her heart she knew living without her would destroy her. She nodded emphatically as she felt tears rolling down her cheeks.

  “Yes?” Maddie asked, getting back to her feet. “Are you saying yes?”

  “Yes,” she finally managed to say. Maddie slid the ring on her finger before enveloping her in a hug so tight Savannah could hardly breathe. She pulled back and looked in Maddie’s eyes as the hug loosened. “I love you, Madison Scott.”

  “That’s good to know, because I would hate to think I’m marrying someone who doesn’t love me.”

  They kissed then, and Savannah had never been so happy. She tried to convey in this kiss what she was getting from Maddie—the promise of love and devotion. The promise of everlasting passion. And the promise of a happily ever after.

  About the Author

  PJ Trebelhorn was born and raised in the greater metropolitan area of Portland, Oregon. Her love of sports (mainly baseball and ice hockey) was fueled in part by her father’s interests. She likes to brag about the fact that her uncle managed the Milwaukee Brewers for five years and the Chicago Cubs for one year.

  PJ now resides in western New York with her wife, Cheryl, their three cats and one very neurotic dog. When not writing or reading, PJ enjoys watching movies, playing on the Playstation, and spending way too much time with stupid games on Facebook. After living in the Philadelphia area for nearly twenty years, she still roots for the Flyers, Phillies, and Eagles, even though she’s now in Sabres and Bills territory.

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    P. J. Trebelhorn, Face Off