Rivals on Ice

Chapter 3 :Under the Spotlight

The first busses arrived at the camp. Players hoped off with hockey bags nearly as big as they are, wheels rambling across the pavement, sticks pocking out their sides.

"Not again." James shouted as he hurriedly returned to the bus.

Tyler waited for him.

He came holding a tape."I forgot this." He said.

All the coaches and trainers waited under the entrance for check -in. After that they headed to their cabins.

Zane sat on the bed immediately he got in his room when he heard a knock.

"Is this cabin 14?" James asked.

"No ."He said.

Five seconds later , James returned.

"Are you sure?" James asked.

"Yes ." zane said.

"Ooh okay,nice to meet you." James said.

"Umm ,this is cabin number?" He asked.

Zane looked on top on the door.

"Ooh ,Yeah ,, sorry, didn't see that." James said and left.

Two minutes later when he closed the door Leo opened.

"" What are you doing here?" Zane asked.

" I'm your roommate."He said .

" No ,this can't be right,not you ."Zane said.

" Why?I'm the best roommate you'll ever get ."Leo said.

****

Some of the players were exploring the camp facilities including Tyler.

" It's nicer than the last one."Tyler told James.

" Yeah ,but we haven't seen the gym yet."James said.

They arrived at the gym.

It was quiet.

" No one is here." James said as he opened the door.

Zane was inside doing leg press .

"Captain," James called.

He turned ,removing the ear pod on his left ear.

" Yeah."He said in a low, deep ,husky voice.

" We meet again." James said.

Tyler looked at him without blinking.

" Tyler."James called.

He did not answer.

James called again.

"Damn."Tyler said.

" What?"James asked.

"Umm,,,yes,,." He startled.

Zane stood adjusting his shorts.

Tyler stared.

Zane then took a gulp of water .

" Have a good time."He said and left.

"Ooh my god."James said placing his right hand on his mouth looking at Tyler.

"What?" Tyler asked.

" You,,,you."James said.

Tyler smiled.

"What ?" He asked again.

James nodded.

****

Tyler woke up immediately the alarm rung.He checked his phone.

"s**t,we are late." He said.

James was not on his bed.

He cleaned up quickly.

Immediately he was done James came in laughing.

"What is wrong with you?"

"Go back to sleep,you still have four more hours."James said.

James showed him the time on his phone,as he laughed.

"F**k you" Tyler said and threw him a pillow.

****

They all gathered at the main arena at exactly 8:00 am. It was louder than expected. Players from different teams filled the arena.

The head couch stepped forward, voice echoing. "This isn't a vocation. This is where we become a team."

He explained the weeks schedule." Hope you learn something from each other." He said.

Zane adjusted his gloves . John and Leo his closet friends and teammates were standing next to him. "Ready for today, it's gonna be a long day." John asked.

"Yup ." Leo answered.

Zane nodded .

They begun doing the warm ups.

Tyler kept looking left, right and center.

"Dude, looking for someone , I know it's me , I'm here ." James said smiling.

"No! Am not looking for anyone. "Tyler answered .

"He's behind you,at your left ." James said.

"What!" Tyler said turning his head.

His eyes met with Zane's.He turned away quickly.

"s**t !" He said quietly.

" Ooh my god ."James said looking at Tyler then looking back at Zane.

" What are you trying to say?"Tyler asked.

" I thought you were not looking for anyone."James said.

Tyler sighed.

" But dude ,,Zane Brooks.Zero chance."James said laughing.

"Excuse me, am not interested in him ,so let's practice.The guy thinks so highly of himself." Tyler said.

Ooh okay." James said.

Zane kept yawning.

"Are you sick?" Leo asked.

" What do you think, I couldn't sleep.You snore too loud."He said.

Zane left him and went to practice.

It wasn't just practice.It was pressure.

Every moment being watched.

The whistle blew.

"Mixing drills!" The head coach shouted.

He called out everyone's partners .

Zane and Tyler ended up being partners.

" What! You've got to be kidding me."Tyler said and placed his hand on his forehead.

James patted his shoulder and smirked."You got this." He said.

"Don't touch me.Something is wrong with you." Tyler said.

Zane sighed.

" Start moving."The couch shouted.

"Hey captain!" Try not to slow me down.Tyler told Zane.

The first drill begun.

At first it was chaos.They kept arguing.Tyler pushing forward.Zane refusing to follow orders.

" You are skating slower than my grandmother."Tyler told Zane.

" Ouch, I guess she's damn terrifying!"Zane said pretending to be shocked.

A pass went wrong . Another missed opportunity.Their teammates were already watching.

They continued arguing when suddenly an opponent rushed in . Without thinking,Tyler cut left and intercepted the pass turning into defense passing it to Zane.

Zane caught it instantly and charged the net with full speed.

For a second, everything silenced.

A perfect goal

Then Cheers erupted.

" Okay,,,,"Coach muttered.

" That was the worst teamwork."

Zane looked at Tyler .

They stared at each other for some time.

Tyler gave him a salute and winked at the same time, smiling.

Zane smiled and looked away.

To them it was great.

*****

After dinner Tyler went to the cafeteria to get coffee.He met with Zane who was coming from the cafeteria holding a cup of coffee.

They both stopped.

"You love coffee?" Tyler asked.

Yeah ,I do."He answered.

" And you?"Zane asked.

" Yes ."Tyler answered.

" You seem tired."Tyler said.

" Yeah ,I am ,I better rest ,I couldn't sleep last night."

" Umm, gudnight."Zane said.

" Night."He said back.

They continued with the schedule for the rest of the week.

The players got closer.

Stronger.

And learnt a lot from each other.

" I never thought I'll get to be friends with some falcon players."James told Tyler.

" Why?"He asked.

" They barely want to interact with anyone.I actually thought they were rude."He said.

****

On the last day, the media zone crowded outside.All the team captains were present.

There begun to be questioned.

A reporter stood in front of Tyler .

"Tyler Knox ,Wolves captain.

One question for you.Who is the most difficult player you've ever faced ?" She asked.

"Tyler smiled," Unfortunately,,,,him."He said pointing at Zane.

Zane did not hesitate." Same answer."He said.

The reporter leaned in.

" Interesting,then tell us what do you admire about your rival?"She asked.

Tyler blinked." Nothing."

There was silence.

Tyler grinned and looked down." His shot is decent."He said.

Zane scoffed." His passing isn't terrible."

The reporter smiled and the crowd explored in laughter.

Zane walked away and Tyler followed him." You do admire me,"Tyler said.

Zane stopped and turned," No,it was a compliment."He said.

"Okay," Tyler said.

"Don't get too excited." Zane said as the corner of his mouth twitched.

****

That evening the tournament board was revealed in the main hall .

All the teams gathered around as names appeared on the screen.

Wolves

Eagles

Titans

Falcons

Then,,,

wolves vs Falcons

Eagles vs Titans

And finally,

A bold line flashed across the screen.

wolves vs Eagles -Rematch confirmed

The hall went silent.

Tyler and Zane stood opposite sides of the hall.

Tyler smirked slowly."Looks like we meet again." He said.

Zane opened his water bottle and gulped ,then looked straight into Tyler's eyes.They were green and medium.

"Be prepared then,there won't be a tie." Zane said.

Tyler gave him a salute and winked at the same time."Okay captain." He said.

After that the teams gathered together and participated in the shooters circle and blindfolded rink navigation.Different teams were put together.

"One last game!" James shouted.

They played human knot and finally had their meal.