by Daphne Slade
“Thanks again, even though it’s not necessary.”
“No problem,” she says in a bubbly voice.
“Just, one thing before you go,” I say, leaning in and lowering my voice. “This thing with Noah. We’re not…well, we’re kind of not public about it.”
Once again, I appreciate the irony. Noah and I started this thing to be public about it, if only to incur Matt’s jealousy. Now that it’s real, we have to keep everything under wraps.
“Really?” she asks, staring at me like I’m crazy. I’m sure for her it would be something to scream from the rooftops.
And I kind of get it. Noah is spectacular.
“It’s complicated,” I say, using the universal catchall that typically silences any further inquiry.
“Okay,” she says with a shrug, though she hardly looks convinced. “Anyway, just holler when your crew arrives and I’ll get you that round.”
The rest of my “crew” trickles in with the rest of the Devington student body as the minutes tick closer and closer to the first puck drop.
Jenny is the last to arrive. Erin, Clark, Ashley, and I are all chatting over a basket of fries with “demon sauce” on the side, which is just a mix of mayonnaise and hot sauce.
I’ve just asked Ashley about working for Professor Kardos.
“I only started working there because a friend suggested it. I’m not even remotely a science major so I was worried it would be a lot of technical stuff, but I swear I spend most of my time just organizing his mess of an office,” Ashley says with a laugh as she dips a fry into the sauce.
“Yeah, he can be a bit off in that area.” I’m glad I got in early for my appointment with him to prep for the medical school interview. I remember how many times I had to check back to make sure he’d sent in my letter of recommendation last year.
“Anyway, he’s a blunt but decent guy and it’s interesting working in a new setting. I don’t think I’ve ever even been in Seeley Hall before. I’m a communications major. I wouldn’t have even considered it if my friend hadn’t pretty much pushed me into applying.”
Before I can say anything more, I see Jenny come in. She scans the room and I raise my hand so she can pick us out of the crowd. A smile comes to her face and she heads over.
“Hey, Jenny,” Erin says, shooting me a quick, ironic smirk while Jenny takes off her jacket. She knows all about this odd triangle of history between Jenny, Noah, and me.
“Erin,” Jenny says, with a smile. All of us are pre-med so we’re at least acquaintances beyond anything to do with hockey.
“Jenny, this is Ashely,” I say, gesturing to the girl on the other side of me at our round table.
“Yeah,” Jenny says, nodding her way. “Professor Kardos’s assistant right? I recognize you from last week when I turned in my paper.”
“Yeah,” Ashley says with an uncertain smile. I get it. Most people, male or female, get that way when in the presence of Jenny.
“Anyway, we have a free shot, so what will it be?” I announce.
“Devil’s kiss, obviously,” Erin says. “We gotta take one for the team.”
“Yeah, it’s bad luck to get anything else,” Ashley says. “Devington tradition and all.”
“Someone is a fan, I see,” I say, grinning at her.
She gives me a sheepish smile and shrugs. “I only recently got into the game hardcore. I’ve watched before, but I was more of a basketball fan.”
“Well, welcome to the cold side,” I say.
With only five minutes left to go, I excuse myself to go to the restroom so I don’t miss any of the game later on. Erin decides to join me.
“So, is it me or does it feel like we’re in the battle of the bombshells? Heidi, Ashley, Jenny? Just how many blondes are you collecting, Grace? Please don’t tell me I’m going to have to start dying my hair.”
I laugh and poke her in the arm as we take up a spot in the line from other girls who apparently had the same idea.
“We both already knew Jenny, so that’s nothing new.”
“Yeah, but y’all were never friends-friends.”
“She’s helping me pass Immunology. I’m not going to scoff at that. Besides, she’s nice.”
“Yeah, for someone who’s slept with your man.”
“Shh!” I say, looking around.
“Oh, stop. I didn’t even say his name. But…don’t you think it’s awkward?”
“The sign of a mature woman, confident in her relationship is that I can be friendly toward her without it being weird.”
“And Heidi? I mean, I’m not going to hate on a girl who gives me a free shot but don’t you think that’s a little too friendly? You said she was following Noah across campus that day.”
“So much for not hating on her.”
“I’m just saying. I’m all for keeping your friends close and your enemies closer, but make sure you know which is which. These girls are all getting a little too up close and personal these days. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ashley is up to something herself.”
“Ashley’s nice,” I say with a frown. “Besides, I think she only came because I practically forced her.”
“Yeah, she’s nice. Which makes me suspicious.”
“Good grief, if you’re going to be that paranoid shouldn’t you be worried about leaving Clark behind?
She twists her lips. “Honestly, I don’t think he can handle that much woman. Heaven knows I’m more than enough for him. Besides, I trust him.”
“Exactly,” I say, snaking my head toward her with a sardonic smile.
“Yeah, yeah,” Erin says, waving it off. “Just make sure you remember who your maid of honor is when he-who-shall-not-be-named finally puts a ring on it.”
I laugh but feel my face get warm. “It hasn’t even been a month and already you’re planning my future.”
“I have a better feeling about this he-who-shall-not-be-named than the other he-who-shall-not-be-named, and don’t act like you don’t feel the same,” she says, grinning and lightly elbowing me.
“Duly noted,” I say with a smile.
“There it is…that smile doesn’t lie,” Erin teases.
I realize that I’m not holding back anymore. In fact, if Erin hadn’t said anything I wouldn’t have even noticed how unrestrained it is, no self-consciousness about how much my teeth and gums are showing. A bona fide Hope Diamond of a smile.
It grows even wider.
Erin laughs. “I don’t even want to know what you’re thinking right now.”
I elbow her and move ahead with the line.
On the way back from the bathroom I catch Heidi’s attention and order a round of Devil’s Kiss for the group.
We get them just in time for the show to start, but like most people in the bar, wait until the puck drops to finally shoot them back, uttering our cheer with the crowd.
“Go, Devils!”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Noah
I get control of the puck after the faceoff and quickly skate around the Notre Dame center.
We’re playing the home team, so the crowd enthusiastically protests. I just grin behind my mask as I speed on. This is one of the things I love about the sport, the excitement of the crowd. Whether they are for me or against me, the energy they emit spurs me on.
I see one of their defensemen heading right toward me and I pass to Evan. He rescues it but another player collides with him and the puck goes wide. Notre Dame takes control and speeds down the ice.
Unfortunately, he runs into Cole who tussles with him and eventually reclaims the puck. He hits it long, getting it into the neutral zone.
I rapidly skate toward the free puck but two Notre Dame players beat me to it. One of them gets control of the puck and we race along, each vying for it.
From there the game is on.
It’s just before the end of the first period when I just barely manage a score. That ends it on an optimistic note for Devington, and the team heads off the ice for the
break in good spirits.
Coach Egler is the kind of coach who’s stingy with compliments but generous when it comes to chewing us out if we’re screwing up. It works for me. I know when my game is on and when it’s off. As for the team, his condemnation is enough to spur them when needed.
As such the pats on the back mostly come from my teammates.
“I’m counting on you to pull that off at least one more time, Noah,” Reid says. “That goes for all of you! I promised myself one night with the same number of girls equal to however many goals we get. Don’t let me down. It’s no fun if it ain’t at least a ménage.”
“The hard part in that scenario is finding more than one girl on campus who is willing to sleep with you,” Evan teases.
That results in an entertaining chase around the room until Reid gets Evan in a headlock to give him a short noogie. It’s quickly broken up by Coach Egler who barks out a final pep talk before we head back out onto the ice.
I’m the only one to notice how quiet Matt is, silently scowling on the bench during all of this. I dismiss it, yet again hoping that he keeps it on the ice. At least until tonight’s game is over.
During the second period, we score another goal thanks to Evan after a pass from me.
We’re even more cheerful in between the final periods.
All except Matt.
At this point, I swear I can feel more negative energy radiating from him than I can from the crowd.
“Hey, you okay?” I ask, pulling him aside as we walk back out.
“Don’t worry, I won’t fuck up your precious NHL career if that’s what you’re worried about.”
So that’s it. He must have overheard my Dad and me in the hotel lobby.
“I don’t give a damn about that right now, Matt. There’s an entire team that’s counting on you to keep it together. You want to be mad at me? Fine. Just remember them while you’re at it.”
That does nothing to erase his scowl.
This time when the puck drops, Notre Dame takes control.
I watch Matt instantly speed into action, which I’m thrilled about at first. Then I see how hot and heavy he’s coming, like a runaway locomotive. It’s hard enough to drive the player a good ten feet until he crashes into the boards.
The crowd rightfully roars in anger. The player himself, also rightfully, makes just as much a stink. The NCAA is more strict when it comes to fighting, but I doubt there are too many people, even my fellow Devils, who don’t sympathize when the player retaliates.
When the dust settles, me and Cole pulling a rabid Matt off some poor guy who’s already flat on the ice, more than a few penalties are handed out. Maybe some time in the sin bin will cool him off.
I refrain from saying anything as I guide him away, knowing it will not only fall on deaf ears but piss him off even more. Cole makes eye contact and I take the hint, leaving him to escort Matt the rest of the way.
It gets the period off to a bad start and within ten minutes Notre Dame has tied us. I can feel the panic on both sides begin to bubble up. It’s the first game of the season and more than a few players are superstitious about that sort of thing, putting too much emphasis on winning that first game as a sign of good luck.
I keep my head straight, knowing that a win doesn’t matter for my purposes if it all boils down to nothing more than dumb luck.
It doesn’t matter. Matt is back in the game, still playing as wild and aggressively as before, but just enough to avoid another penalty. Which gives Notre Dame the perfect opportunity for dumb luck.
The player with the puck sees Matt heading toward him like a rabid bull and he gracefully evades him. He goes for the goal, but Reid is blessedly skilled enough to block it.
Another Notre Dame player catches the puck he tries to slap long and circles the goal only to come back around and chuck it right in before Reid can recover.
Shit.
I’m not surprised when that the final buzzer sounds, ending the game, and we’re down 2-3.
Coach rightfully reams us back in the locker room, making damn sure to focus on one individual in particular.
I come along after he storms off to slather a little aloe on the burn.
“This was the Ice Breaker tournament, guys. We lost by one point to one of the best-ranked D1 teams in the country. Don’t forget that. Take this L tonight and tomorrow we come back fighting, playing like we deserve to be here! Got it?”
It’s enough to earn an enthusiastic cheer from all of them. Even Matt seems to have snapped out of it enough to realize that his hate toward me is affecting his game.
Hopefully, it sticks.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Grace
Saturday at the Den of Iniquity ended on a much happier note than Friday night did. Our party of five was there, celebrating as usual when the Devils won the consolation game by 3-1. Heidi offered another free round to us in celebration after the third goal toward the end of the game.
I probably should have passed on it.
Or at least rethought this idea of coming to the library to study.
But it’s the perfect opportunity. Most of the campus is celebrating, which means I have my choice of prime spots to set up camp.
I have a huge travel container full of coffee to help sober me up. It’s working well enough for me to at least read the text in the book before me if not help me fully comprehend it.
I’ve just quietly unwrapped a watermelon Jolly Rancher when my phone blinks to life. I’ve put it on silent and even turned off the vibrate because every sound echoes in this quiet study area of the library.
When I see who it is on caller ID, I’m instantly alert. I quickly pick it up and head off toward one of the stacks where I can at least whisper without annoying anyone.
“Noah,” I say, feeling a beaming smile come to my face. “Congratulations! That was an amazing game!”
He laughs. “Where are you?”
“I’m studying in the library,” I say, my brow wrinkling in confusion.
“Perfect, I’ll come to you.”
“You’re back already?” I ask in surprise. The game was just this afternoon.
“Yeah, we left right after the game. No need to pay for another night in a hotel.”
“Aren’t you tired?”
“Anything but.” I can practically see the devilish grin on his face and I feel that warm glow of lust begin to seep into my system. “Tell me where you are in the library.”
“Nonsense, I’ll just come to you.”
“Nah, I’d rather meet you there.”
It takes me a moment to figure out what he’s aiming at. “Noah! No.”
“Grace, yes,” he retorts with a laugh. “Sit tight, I’m coming, just tell me where.”
I nibble on my bottom lip, feeling the heat invade my cheeks at what he’s suggesting. I should just pack my things and meet him out front instead. Then I remember we’re supposed to be incognito.
“The first floor where the carrels are.”
“I’ll be there in a few.”
When we hang up I stand there in the stacks staring at the phone. What have I just agreed to?
The smile that refuses to leave my face tells me I already know the answer.
I’ve packed up most of my things by the time he finally finds me. The handful of die-hards who are studying here all take note when he arrives.
“Hey, good game!” someone whispers loudly enough to earn him a “shush” from another student.
Noah shoots them a quick grin and a thumbs up then quickly heads my way. His grin broadens when he sees me rise to greet him.
“Come on, I’m kidnapping you.” He takes my hand and leads me out of the area.
The eyes are still on us, now filled with a mixture of curiosity and envy. It’s something I’m used to, dating a hockey player on campus, but Noah’s star seems to shine a little brighter than Matt’s did.
Instead of heading out the front entrance, Noah takes me down to the sub-bas
ement level. I can’t remember the last time I was even down there. It’s filled with seemingly endless rows of archival materials that most students don’t bother with.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
Maybe he’s taking me to a more secretive exit, considering the status of our relationship. There’s no one down here at all. It’s actually kind of spooky. I hate that we have to be so careful, all for the sake of Matt’s fragile ego—something he was never too interested in doing for either of us.
Instead of heading toward an exit door, Noah walks me along and then suddenly swivels to walk down one row.
“What’s this?” I ask, scanning the shelves. It’s filled with boxes of microfiche. Does anyone even use that anymore? So much has been digitized these days.
“Privacy,” Noah says drawing my attention back to him.
A slow smile spreads my face. Before I can fully absorb the idea of where his mind is headed, he reaches out to grab me. I drop my bag to the floor and cough out a laugh. I freeze, realizing how much it echoes in the vast, empty space down here. There’s not so much as a pin drop in response.
“It’s okay,” he says in a normal voice. “No one is down here right now.”
He has a point. Most people are either still partying or too drunk to use the library. But still…
Before I can utter my doubts, his lips are on mine. Yeah, that’ll do it. Why do I feel like the most beautiful, perfect woman in the world when he kisses me?
It stirs something even more fierce throughout my body. I don’t even care who finds us now. And it’s only his teammates we have to worry about. I doubt any of them have decided to study down here in the archives after today’s win.
My arms are around his neck and I’m on tip-toe as usual to reach him. He brings his strong arms around to lift me, holding me against the shelves.
Maybe it’s the thrill of his victory that has us in such a frenzy from there, but suddenly our hands are rushing to remove any further barriers. I’m in stretch pants, UGGs, and a long sweatshirt. He tugs my sweatshirt up high enough to reach my pants, then tugs them down, along with my underwear.
