Don't you let me down!
“Rath!”
Taking my headphones off, I look to see who is calling me and messing up my pre game pump up. I hope Elli came, but I have to keep my head in the game right now. For some reason though, I feel like I would play better if she was watching. There’s something so calm about being near her, but at the same time, she keeps you on your feet. I was relieved last night when she didn’t blow off my text. I still don’t understand why she thought I was just pretending to be nice to her.
“Yea, Anderson?”
“Coach wants to see you before your team pep talk.”
“Thanks man.”
Standing up, fully dressed in my gear and helmet in hand, I head toward Coaches office and knock on the door.
“Come in Rath.”
“What’s up Coach?”
“Feeling good about tonight?”
“Yes sir.”
“Good, I know it’s the first game of the season, but you keep playing the way you’re playing, and your future is looking very bright.”
“I’ll make sure to do that sir, thank you."
“Now go give your team of hood rats a pep talk before we take the ice.”
Laughing at his nickname for the team, I make my way towards the room where the guys are being rowdy as usual.
“Alright boys, round it up!"
“AYYYYOOO Caps got the mic, everyone shut up!”
Throwing an appreciative nod at Anderson, I look out to my team. We spend so much time together, and have become a band of brothers, and that’s a winning team in my opinion.
"Alright men. First game of the season. We looked real sharp in practice yesterday, am I right?!
A chorus of 'hell yeah’s’ makes their way around the room before I'm able to speak up again.
"Stay sharp out there. Look out for one another. We’re not just a team here. We’re a family, and daddy dearest over there is expecting us to bring him home back to back championships. So let's get out there and kick some ass!"
We all collect our gear, and make our way out of the locker room. As I step onto the ice, I scan the bleachers for one person in particular. And then I see her. She's wearing a Wolves sweatshirt, jeans, and has her hair down. She belongs in an ice rink. She doesn’t look one bit out of place like some of the girls the other guys bring. They wind up freezing halfway into the first period and have to leave.
I'm guessing the girl next to her is her friend Tegan, because she has on the same sweatshirt. I'm glad she didn't come alone. I drift my eyes back over to her and smile. I tug at my jersey to show her I like her choice of apparel, and then begin to warm up. I feel a little lighter on my skates. Like skating without equipment last night released some unnoticed muscle tension.
When the buzzer goes off sounding that it’s time to start the game, I go to the bench into the group huddle. Coach gives us a quick brief and I go to my position. I play defense, so as I watch Anderson take the face off, I get my head in the game and prepare to play my heart out.
CHAPTER 10
Elli
Wow. Dylan really is Mr. Hockey. I mean I had a feeling he was good, but I didn't think he was this good. I watch as he blocks another shot from going to the goal. He has control of the puck, and sends it up the boards where the left wing takes possession and charges the net. His wrist shot reaches the back of the net and the team celebrates in a hug as the stands go crazy. Tegan and I are on our feet clapping and the crowd finally settles down when the next faceoff is underway. Watching how completely in the zone Dylan is, is like a breath of fresh air. To see someone so absorbed and focused reminds me of how into my work I get, and it's a nice feeling. It’s passion. And when you're passionate about something, the moments you let it completely take you over is truly a sight to behold.
"Earth to Elli! Anybody in there?"
Looking over to Tegan, I realize I must have just missed an entire conversation.
“Sorry, what?”
"What's going on in that mind of yours?"
"Just thinking."
"Well stop thinking and just enjoy yourself! Your boy is amazing!"
Chuckling I say "He's not my boy Tegan."
"Yea, uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that."
Shaking my head, I take her advice and just enjoy watching the game. During the second period, I notice Chris making his way over to where Tegan and I are sitting.
"Hey Elli! Made it out to the game I see! Hey Tegan! How'd you convince her to take off from work?"
"I had nothing to do with it Chris!" Tegan says as she sends me a sideways smirk, along with a wink.
"Well whatever the reason I'm glad you're here Elli! The rink is hosting a youth tournament for next month. Think your brothers team would make the trip down?"
"I'm sure they would love that Chris."
"Great! I'll call your dad and give him the details and we'll work it out. Enjoy the game ladies!"
"Bye Chris!" Tegan and I say in unison. She turns her head to ask me a question, but it looks like she loses her train of thought when she looks at my hands.
“Hey, you okay?” she asks.
"Yea, why?”
"Your hands."
I look down to see that, yet again, I've torn my cuticles to shreds, and I'm bleeding.
“Oh yea, that's nothing. I'll be right back.”
I make my way to the bathroom to wash off the red coming from my thumb. While I'm in there, I glance up in the mirror and take a few deep breaths. That's when I notice Tegan in the doorway, watching me.
"Ready to tell me what this is all about?”
"What do you mean?"
"Don't play with me Elli. I thought we decided last night you weren't going to be so closed off anymore."
"Its nothing really. Just a nervous habit I've always had. I don't even realize I'm doing it."
"Elli, when I said you weren't alone anymore I meant it okay?”
She makes her way towards me and gives me a long hug before saying, "alright, time to get back out there before Mr. Hottie thinks you left. He looks at you every chance he gets."
"Oh, please."
"I'm serious El. I haven't even met him and I think he's amazing."
Smiling as we walk out of the bathroom, we take our seats again. As soon as I look out on the bench, Dylan is staring at me, smiling. The butterflies in my stomach are a welcomed feeling.
CHAPTER 11
Dylan
Good, she didn’t leave. I’m seriously psyching myself out with this girl. I saw Chris go over to her and when she left and Tegan followed her, I thought something was wrong. But then they walked back out from the bathroom. Geez, I need to keep my head in the game.
When the final buzzer goes off, and the scoreboard shows we won 3-0, my boys and I celebrate in a victory huddle, tapping each others shins with our sticks in a mutual ‘nice work’ gesture. When we exit the ice, I’m suddenly hit with a burst of energy, even though I just played three hard periods of hockey and I'm drenched with sweat. I haul my ass into the shower and get dressed without making it look like I’m eager to leave. I throw on my beanie and as the guys joke around, I quickly say my goodbyes, grab my gear and walk out of the locker room. But of course I don’t get a clean break. What was I thinking?
“Rath! Where you off too? Let's go to the bar and celebrate!”
“I’ve got something to do man! Have a beer for me though!”
“What have you possibly got to do that has you rushing out of here? You getting some tonight Rath?”
“Even if I was, I wouldn’t let you in on it man!”
“Scared she’ll get a look at me and ditch your ugly ass?”
“Please, that’s the least of my worries! Especially with the way you got your ass handed to you by 12 all night!”
“That guys a beast! He easily had a foot on me and was all over me the whole game!”
And with that, as the guys start bantering, I make my exit. I round the doors out of the rink towards th
e snack bar area, and the first thing I see is brown curly hair. Tegan notices me first and smiles over at Elli, indicating I’m on my way over to them. Elli turns around and as soon as our eyes lock, there's not only excitement, but other emotions I really don’t know how to read. It’s like she’s nervous but I don’t know why.
“Well Mr. Hockey, I say you earned your nickname tonight. Great game!” Elli says.
“I’m really glad you came.” Why try to hide it? I’m sure it’s written all over my face anyway.
Blushing. She’s blushing and it’s such a site to see.
“Wellllllll, since Elli is in la la land and has yet to introduce me, I’m Tegan.” Looking over to Elli’s spunky red headed friend, I smile and shake her hand in a goofy manner.
"It’s nice to meet you Tegan, I’m Dylan.”
“Oh, I know who you are. Great game by the way!”
“Thanks. You guys ready to grab a bite?”
I look back at Elli, and it looks like she’s thinking. I really hope she doesn’t back out. And that’s when Tegan speaks up. “Well I’m wiped, but you guys have fun!"
Elli looks over to her friend with horror. “But you’re my ride.”
“I can take you home.” I say as I silently thank Tegan for the opening.I didn’t mind it if she came, but getting Elli alone is definitely end goal.
“Then it’s settled!” Tegan says.
As Tegan gives Elli a look, she takes off for the door and then calls out “Have fun you two!”
Elli looks back at me, and again, I can’t read her emotions. This girl is such a puzzle.
“You ready?”
“Yea. Are you sure you’re okay with driving me home? I don’t want to be a problem. You’re probably exhausted and it’s really ok.”
“You’re not backing out on me are you?”
Smirking, she says “No. But..”
“No buts! Let’s go missy.”
“So pushy!” Laughing, she follows me out to my Jeep and I open the passenger side door for her after putting my bag and stick in the trunk.
“How very chivalrous of you.”
“I’m not just a good looking jock, Miss. Elli.” There’s that blush I was hoping for.
“So what are you in the mood for?” I ask.
“Ummmm. You pick.”
“Is this a test?”
"Not at all! I just don’t have a preference, and you deserve to pick after a game like that.”
This girl has me smiling so much. “How about Millers Ale House? I could go for a burger. That sound okay?”
“Sure. Yea, that sounds good.”
As I put the car into drive, I look over and see she’s picking at her fingers again. I don’t know if I want to ask her about it yet, but it’s definitely on my list.
We pull up to the Ale House, and she gets out of the car right as I make my way around to open her door.
“You’re supposed to wait for me to open it for you!"
“Oh, I’m sorry, did I dent your ego?”
Laughing, I open the door to the restaurant, and we’re seated right away. When she picks up the menu, it doesn’t really look like she’s reading it. More like she’s pretending.
“Know what you want?”
“Umm. I might just get water, I’m not really that hungry.”
“No way! You’re not getting out of this that easily.”
“Fine! Okay okay, ummm let me see.”
When the waitress comes over to take our order, Elli tells me to go first since she’s not ready. I order my burger and when I look over to her, she hesitantly orders a grilled chicken salad.
“Are you sure? They have awesome burgers here.”
“Yea I’m sure! I told you I’m not really all that hungry.”
“Well, it’s better than just you drinking water while watching me eat.”
“Yea, I know.”
Her eyes are wandering like she doesn’t know what to say next. When her stare lands on the pool table, she looks back at me and raises an eyebrow. “Want to play?”
“Are you going to hustle me like you attempted to last night?”
Laughing, she shakes her head no. “I’m actually not all that good at pool, but it’s fun.”
“Alright, one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“Every time I sink one, you have to answer one of my questions.”
“Uh-oh. What kind of questions?”
“Oh, you’ll see.”
“Fine, but the same goes for you.”
“Deal.”
We walk over to the empty pool table. “Have I mentioned I love your sweatshirt?”
“Why thank you. Tegan’s idea.”
Tegan seems to have a lot of good ideas tonight. “I like my team’s colors on you.”
“You know, I think you try to make me blush every chance you get.”
“Guilty.”
She grabs the cue sticks and hands me one. “You want to break first?”
“I’ll let you go for it. Gotta measure up my competition.”
“Suit yourself. I’m telling you, I’m not very good.”
I rack up the balls and she goes to make her first shot, sinking a striped ball.
“How come I don’t believe you?” I ask.
“Lucky shot?”
“Sure it was.”
“So I get a question now right?”
“Yes ma’am. Ask away.”
“How long have you been playing hockey?”
“I was in skates before I could walk. My dad loves it, but he never got the chance to play when he was younger. So when my parents had me, they didn’t just throw me in soccer or baseball like the rest of the boys my age. And I’m glad they didn’t."
She takes her next turn and misses the shot she was going for by a few centimeters. I go in to take my shot, and sink a solid in the right corner pocket.
“My turn.”
“Oh joy. Alright, go for it.”
“What are you studying?”
“Digital Art and Design.”
“Oh so you’re an artist?”
“Yea, always have been. But I knew I didn’t want to go to school for traditional art. I like to draw, but there's much more of a job field for graphic designers."
“That’s awesome. You’re going to have to show me your work now. Hey, you think you could draw me?”
“Why is that always the first thing people ask when they figure out I can draw?”
Smiling, I go to take my next shot and sink another solid.
“How come I feel like I’m going to be doing a lot of talking?”
“Because you are. Next question. Tell me something no one else knows about you.”
“That’s not a question!”
”Will you tell me something no one else knows about you?”
“So I have the option to say no?”
“Technically, but what fun would that be?”
“Hmm, okay let me think.”
As I wait for her answer, I see the waitress bring our drinks to the table and look around to see where we went. I wave her over to where we’re playing and she puts the drinks down on a bar stool near us, before returning to the kitchen.
“Ok I think I’ve got something. But you can not tell a soul!”
“Not a word will be spoken. Promise.”
“I am so going to regret this. Okay, I totally have a guilty pleasure for country music. Please don’t judge me.”
I look at her with the most serious face I could muster, and before I know it, I burst out laughing, getting curious looks from the surrounding tables.
“I knew you were going to laugh!”
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I say “You made it sound like your secret was like, life or death. Country music isn’t bad! I listen to it sometimes!"
Still laughing to myself, I go to take my next shot and sink another two solids.
“Am I going to ever get to ask you another question?"
“Don’t pl
an on it, since this is the only way I can keep you talking. Alright, two balls equals two questions.”
“Ughh just get on with it. You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“You’re right, I am. Okay first question. Why did you think I was pretending to be nice to you last night?”
That seems to take her off guard and she looks away, thinking about what to say.
“Next question?”
“No way.”
“Let’s just say I don’t have a happy history.”
“I’m feeling there's a story there. Care to elaborate?
“Can we leave it at you’re the first guy I’ve met that hasn’t made fun of me in some way. At least not yet.”
She looks down then, and my heart breaks a little. I go over and lift her chin up so she can see the truth in my eyes when I say “And I don’t plan on it, Elli. Trust me.”
As she continues to look me in the eyes, she whispers “you still have another question.”
“You’re right I do. Why were you really at the rink alone last night?”
“I always go alone. It helps me clear my head.”
I nod my head because I get it. The way you can lose yourself on the ice is unlike anything else. “I can relate. But I’d like to be there for you the next time you feel like that.”
She takes a second before slowly shaking her head and looking away. Figuring she needs a little breather, I line up to take my next shot and purposely miss.
“You did that on purpose!”
“Did not!”
“Sure you didn’t...”
“Guess it’s your turn now."
She lines up to take her shot, and misses. “I told you I’m not good at pool. I wasn’t lying.”
“Well lucky for me in this particular situation.” I take my next shot and sink it easily. Five down, two to go, and then the eight ball.
Thin Ice Page 5
