The locker room is buzzing.
It’s our first game of the season against the Kelowna Wolves. And although I’ve never played against them, it’s common knowledge that they are our biggest rival—making this game one of the most important this season.
I need to show our team and the opposing team that I’m a better hockey player than they think I am. Just because I’m not Captain of this team—yet—doesn’t mean I don’t have to play my best.
As I finish putting on all my gear and tie the last knot in my skates, Coach walks in and yells for everyone’s attention.
“Tonight is big, you all know that. We need to show those guys that we’re coming out hot this season. Got it? We might have lost our Captain, but that doesn’t mean that we’re at a disadvantage. We have the number one goal scorer in the league.”
I stare down at my skates as Coach turns his attention to me.
“Lowry and Brown keep Oakley clear. They’re going to be on him all night. Stay focused and keep it clean. Don’t fall for their bait. Beat them on the scoreboard, not in the penalty box. Now go kick some Wolf ass.”
The team erupts into cheers and howls of excitement. Matt shoots a smug grin at me through the crowd as we head out of the dressing room.
“You good, buddy?” he asks, bumping my shoulder with his glove. “Good as ever. You? We need you on your A-game tonight.”
“Don’t worry about me,” he replies confidently and falls in line behind me.
There is nothing that can hype you up more than skating out onto the ice and hearing your name and number being called into a full arena. It’s one of those surreal moments where you want to take a minute just to stand and soak it all in. But you never can. There’s never the time to.
As I finish my final warm-up lap, I see Ava sitting in the front row, her lips spread into a wide grin as her eyes closely follow my movements.
Having a beautiful girl smiling at me in the stands while sporting my team’s jersey is the shit that I live for. I send her a flashy wink and bump my shoulder against the glass as I skate by. That damn smile is branded in my mind as I head for the centerline.
Getting in position to take the first faceoff of the game, I look over at the two wingers beside me, Tyler and Adam, and give them both a head nod. My heart pounds as the ref drops the puck on the ice.
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With thirteen minutes left to go in the game, we’re tied with three points each. Our team is exhausted from playing defence most of the game— thanks to our hot-headed defensemen not taking an ounce of smack talk from the opposing team.
It also doesn’t help that I’ve spent most of my remaining energy manoeuvring around their killer blueliners while slapping pucks at their goalie whenever I have a chance.
My helmet knocks against the boards when a defenseman hits my shoulder. A hiss of pain escapes my lips, and I regain my balance, shaking off the ache in my shoulder. I turn and give my missing cover man a death glare.
“Fuck sake, Braden,” I growl under my breath.
I see Matt in front of me as he stops the puck behind his net and gets ready to pass it off. I slap my stick against the ice to let him know that I’m open. Doing a lap around him, I start skating back towards our zone.
He passes it off to me swiftly before the other center reaches him. As soon as I hear it clap against my stick’s blade, I push off my feet. I only make it a few feet ahead before another Wolves defenseman heads straight in my direction.
Fortunately, this time Braden does his job and watches my back. He throws his body against the player—hard.
I skate past the pair and run straight into the second defenseman. Spinning around, I move around them and sneak a quick look behind me to
see Braden lose his edge on his player.
It’s now or never. I wind up and slap the puck hard, successfully sending it five-hole. The red lamp goes off and my teammates immediately tackle me in a fit of hugs and punches.
After a few pats on the back, I head back to the bench and sit down beside Adam. I spot Ava and Morgan standing in their seats, cheering loudly. Both of them have a big white sign in hand. I read Ava’s sign and grin.
“GET THAT TOUCHDOWN JEFF”
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Once I’m showered and dressed in my grey suit, I say my goodbyes. I leave the dressing room in hopes of getting out of the arena as fast as I can. Unfortunately, I don’t make it very far. I’m stopped by a crowd of under- dressed women waiting by the locker room for their next victim which apparently and unluckily, turns out to be me.
“Hey, Oakley! You did amazing tonight. Are you going to the after- party?” I hear a nasally voice ask. The culprit is a thin blonde with heavily drawn on eyebrows. I think her name is Amanda? I’m not sure.
“Don’t waste my time asking questions you already know the answer to, Amanda,” I say, making it clear I am not in the mood.
She moves out of the group and stalks towards me, swinging her hips from side to side. If only Andre were here, I could have easily handed her off to him and fled.
“Oh, Oakley. I knew that you would remember me.” The flirty remark makes my skin crawl, and I’m suddenly regretting using her name at all.
I tense my jaw, ready to reply with yet another one of my sarcastic remarks when a small arm wraps itself around my side. I automatically relax as I breathe in the intoxicating smell of Ava’s perfume.
“Hey, babe. Ready to go? Everyone’s waiting,” Ava sings, looking up at me with round green eyes. She runs her fingers up and down my chest, sending a shiver down my spine.
My mind goes blank as I decide whether to whisper a simple thank you or push her up against the wall to shield her when I see the Paris Hilton wannabe standing there with her fists clenched at her sides. If looks could kill, Ava would be six feet under right now.
“Yep, good to go. I guess I’ll see you ladies later. Have a good night.” I grab Ava’s hand and drag her as far away from them as possible.
It still amazes me that they never understand my answer will always be the same: No thanks.
“Thank you. You have no idea how uncomfortable they make me.”
“No worries. I figured you probably got swarmed, being the star of the night and all.” She nudges me with her arm and giggles.
I smile and let her lead the way out of the arena. “I had a reason to play well tonight. I loved the sign, by the way.” My smile turns into a grin when she blushes.
“Hurry up, Ava! We have to get ready!” Morgan yells, half hanging out of the unrolled window of her Jeep.
“I’ll see you in a couple of hours, Mr. Hockey-God. Don’t miss me too much.” Ava sends me a teasing smile and gets in the car.
“Morgan told me to warn you not to mess up tonight,” Matt says without preamble when I get into his car.
Can’t say I didn’t see that one coming. I would expect nothing less from Morgan.
“She doesn’t have to worry, man,” I say, and I mean it. Ava Layton, prepare to be wooed.
