Chapter 6
1703 Words
CHAPTER 6
We get there, and Drew and I get our gear out and go into the Ice Arena with Dad. Mom decides she needs some peace and quiet, so she stays in the car. We walk up to the worker at the front desk. He’s probably about college age and contently working at the computer they have at the desk.
"Hey what can I do for you?" asks the guy working.
"Two people for shinny," Dad says.
"Sweet, that's going to be $16." The worker tells us, Dad pays him. "Alright boys are in locker room A and we'll put you in locker room B." he says addressing me. He hands me the locker room key. I smile nicely,
"Thanks," I say pulling Drew over into Rink 2.
We walk into the Rink and see some guys have already taken the ice. They look like they’re lower classman in high school. I leave Drew without a word and go into locker room B. I set my bag down and start suiting up.
First the pants then the shin guards and socks. Next, I throw on my shoulder pads and elbow pads. I then put on my skates and lace them up. I tie back my hair before putting on my helmet and throw on a Chicago jersey. Finally, I grab my gloves and stick then walk out.
When I go out there I don't see Drew on the ice. No surprise, he takes forever to get dressed. I glance up and see Dad in the stands, I go ahead and take the ice. The minute I step foot on the ice the guys immediately look shocked. They’re reaction surprises me a little bit. They live in Canada; don’t they see girl hockey players on a regular basis? A tall boy with chestnut color hair skates over. He takes the liberty of introducing himself,
"Hey, I'm Brian," He has a thick Canadian accent.
"Angie," I say skating away. No surprise he follows me,
"Well Angie the boys and me will go fairly easy on you." Brian assures me.
"Why would you do that? I know how to play that’s why I’m here, no need to worry about me.”
"Whatever you say," he says skating away. At least he didn't seem completely cocky. Drew finally comes out of the locker room and takes the ice. There's now 8 of us and I'm the only girl.
"Let's play 4 on 4 with goalies." One of the boys say as the goalies get up. I didn't even notice them stretching.
"Angie wanna be with me?" Brian asks. I give him a quick glance and then nod.
"As a teammate? I guess," I answer.
"How about you little man wanna team with us eh?" Brian asks Drew.
"No!" Drew and I yell in unison. Brian looks confused.
"As his big sister no way," I say pretty much explaining the situation,
"Ohh that makes sense. Alright then me, Angie, Derek, Sean, and Jared as goalie against everyone else." Brian says skating right to my side. I think it’s funny that Brian is really tentative as we’re setting this all up. One of our teammates skate up,
"I'm Sean," he says winking at me. I roll my eyes, I always hate when the players decide that when we’re playing is a good time to flirt. I mean we’re all here to play. Hit on me some other time. "What position do you play?" Sean asks.
"Normally center but I'm flexible." I say flatly. He laughs,
"Good because that's where I play. I highly doubt you would be able to beat me at it." Sean says skating away. Not only is he a flirt, he's cocky too! Brian skates over,
"Try to forget about Sean, he's kind of a jerk." he says laughing nervously.
"I really don't care, so where do you want me to play? Since Sean is such an amazing center." I say with sarcasm laced into my voice.
"Um offense I guess, I'll play back on D with Derek." Brian says.
"Are you sure? I don't want to knock anyone off their spot." I say. He smiles sweetly,
"Don't worry about it," Another player skates up,
"Let me guess Derek?" I say nicely.
"Um yeah," Derek says looking confused.
"I already met Brian and Sean and Jared's goalie so I kind of figured." I say explaining myself.
"Oh," Derek says.
"You okay with playing D?" Brian asks Derek.
"That's my normal position isn't it? " Derek asks like it's obvious.
"I think we've spent enough time talking, let's play." I say. Brian smiles,
"Okay," I roll my eyes and skate up to Sean.
"Hey Sweetie, you got wing for me?" he asks. Drew was right there too and laughed. I look at Sean, sometimes the flirting really ticks me off but, in this situation, I just let it roll off. One thing about hockey is you always have to prove yourself. You can’t just walk in and expect to be respected. Respect is earned not just given.
"Yeah I got your back, feel free to pass me the puck." I tell him.
He just laughs and takes the faceoff. He wins it and dumps it in, which is really stupid considering I was right there for a pass. I skate towards it to get it and I could have easily been checked but the guy decided to let me go. I take advantage of the opportunity and take a slapshot resulting in a goal. I didn't celley considering they practically handed it to me and calmly skate to center ice. The boy’s jaws drop, well all except Drew, he just smirks. Brian's the first one to come to his senses. He comes over and gives me a fist bump,
"Amazing slapshot,"
"Well it's easy if you guys just let me take the shot," I say a little annoyed.
"I don't thinks that’s an issue anymore. On a totally unrelated note would you like to step back on D?" Brian asks. Now that makes me ticked, not that I have to move back on defense but that they had me play up because they thought I wasn't good enough to defend the net. I try to play it cool,
"Yeah whatever," I say forcing a smile.
They keep me back on defense the rest of the time. I make minimum errors and only one goal goes in do to my mistakes. Two hours later the zamboni is ready to clear the ice so we have to get off. All the guys head to their locker room and I head to mine. I quickly take of my gear, grab my towel, grab my shower bag and go wash up.
I take my time showering, about thirty minutes later I finally walk out. I find Brian sitting on a bench outside of the locker rooms. He sees me come out and stands up,
"Hey Angie, I was wondering if you would like to go do something later? Like catch a movie or something?" he asks. I feel uncomfortable,
"Um Brian, I got a boyfriend." I tell him. He looks kind of sad,
"Well he's lucky because I barely know you and can tell you're amazing."
"Thanks Brian," I turn to leave then I think about it and come back, "Hey but since we barely know each other how about we change that." I offer.
"Sounds good to me." he agrees.
"Do you have a phone? Maybe we can text each other."
"Yeah okay," he says pulling out his phone. "What's your number?"
"419-688-9219" He quickly typed it in.
"Sweet I'll text you later then you'll have my number." he says.
"Cool," I say looking around for Drew, "Hey has Drew come out yet?"
"Yeah like 15 minutes ago." he laughs, "Um no offense, but you take forever." I smile, this is a lot better than him flirting.
"Trust me I usually don't but today I'm stuck in slow-mo."
"Well it definitely didn't show on the ice. About how long have you been playing?" Brian asks. I shift my gear to my other shoulder,
"As soon as I was old enough."
"Cool what team do you play for?" he asks. Wait he thinks I actually play?
"Um no one actually." I admit.
"Really? There's no way you could've have been cut you’re too good." he says confused.
"They can't cut you if you don't try out." He definitely looks puzzled. "I only play pick up." I explain.
"What, why?" Brian asks.
"I don't know I guess I just liked being there to support my brothers. Drew plays, he's a second year Peewee. I have another brother who plays high school. I enjoy being there to support and watch them."
"I guess that makes sense."
"Yeah well anyhow I gotta go, maybe I'll see you around?"
"Maybe,"
With that I leave, and I go up to the front desk. I turn in the locker room key and head out to the car. I find the trunk open and I throw my stuff in.
"Oh, look who decided to show up!" Drew says teases.
"I was talking to someone."
"Go figure, almost all of the boys were arguing over who got to ask you out while we were in the locker room." I roll my eyes,
"Why didn't you tell them I have a boyfriend?" I ask. He smirks,
"I thought I should let you handle it." he says trying to sound innocent. I notice Mom and Dad aren't in the car.
"Where's Mom and Dad?" I ask.
"They went into the rink."
"Why?"
"No clue, we got only two and a half hours before the game. I wonder if they’re just planning on chilling until then."
"Could be," I say reclining the seat. After sitting in the van for like 5 minutes I get up. "Let's go in." I tell Drew.
"I'm staying here." he says grabbing a blanket.
"Whatever," I mumble getting out of the van heading towards the rink.
- Writer
