Page 10 of The Love Penalty

“I’m not here to explain hockey rules to you. Move, before I give you a delay of game penalty.”

“Goddamn bitch,” Michell fumes.

“Hey, watch your mouth,” Robbie unhelpfully interjects. I take a deep breath before my feelings get the best of me and I kick them both out. Before Mitchell can reply, the Vortices captain sends him out and replaces him.

And so it begins. We successfully start the face-off this time, and the game is afoot. I spend a lot of time dodging pucks and players, while staying alert and keeping an eye on any ensuing penalties. The linesmen are in charge of calling out offsides and icing and dropping the pucks for any of the face-offs that do not occur at center ice.

Almost five minutes into the game I see one of the Vortices players trip Ashton, so I blow the whistle and call the penalty.

“Vermont Vortices, #15, two minutes for tripping.”

The booing that follows is something I expect and have learned to ignore. I know these fans are mad because I’ve put one of their players in the box. They don’t care about the rules of the game, they only care about winning, and I can understand that from an objective standpoint. What bothers me is when the players take out verbal attacks on me. It’s one thing for them to say, “that was a stupid call,” versus them saying, “you’re stupid.” Most players and coaches know how to differentiate between the two, but not the Vortices. On his way to the box, #15 yells at me “What are you even doing here? Do you even know what hockey is?”

I ignore him as I get in position to continue the game. At the face-off, the Manticores get the puck and keep the pressure on the Vortices for the first minute of the power play, until Robbie gets a perfect pass and scores. Number 15 comes out of the boxand skates by me on the way to the bench. I definitely hear the bitterness in his voice when he calls me a bitch.

There’s a small break as the ice crew is out, so I skate up to the Vortices captain and say “Captain, can you get #15 under control? If he verbally attacks me again, I will have him back in the box.” I maintain eye contact with him and can see he’s annoyed by me, but at least I gave him a warning. If he can’t control his teammates, that’s on him.

“Yes, ma’am,” he says with a nod and skates away. The game is about to reset and I see Robbie skating up to me.

“You okay? Is that guy bothering you?” he asks with concern.

While I’m touched he’s noticed and is concerned, this is exactly why I told him we can’t be friends. “I know how to do my job, Elliot. How about you focus on yours?” I say and skate away from him, but not before I catch the look of surprise and hurt on his face.

The second periodgoes about the same as the first. While I haven’t been any more verbally abused this period, I’ve also noticed a change in demeanor from the Vortices. They’ve played extremely physically and have drawn at least two boarding and two tripping penalties. The Manticores are starting to get frustrated too and Ashton has spent the last four minutes of the period in the box for high sticking a rival player. The score is still 1-0 for the Manticores.

I drink some more water and use the restroom before having to head back on ice for the final period. On my way out, I see Robbie lingering in the hallway by the referee locker area.

“Olivia, hey,” he says with a serious look on his face while blocking my path. The man is giant, especially on those skates.

I let out a frustrated sigh, because what the hell is he doing? Accosting me at my job? Doesn’t he have some speeches to make in front of his team or something?

“What now?” I say, annoyed.

He grinds his teeth and I see a muscle tick in his stupid perfect jaw. He looks nice with a bit of stubble, and his lips look full and soft. Inviting.

Damn it.

Damn him.

I need to stop checking him out.

“Look, I’m sorry if I offended you out there. I wasn’t trying to suggest you weren’t capable of doing your job. The opposite, in fact. I just,” he sighs, running a hand through his sweaty hair. “I wanted to make sure you were okay,” he says, looking chastised.

I hold his gaze when I say, “I accept your apology, but like I said, I’m fine. I don’t know what you think this is,” I gesture between us, “but out there you don’t get to question me or my calls. You can disagree with them all you want, but you are a player and I am an official. That is the end of our professional relationship. I don’t need you to be worried for my sake.”

His shoulders slump, but he nods. His gaze searches my face, and whatever he sees there must placate him because he says in a quiet voice, “Understood, Miss Wilson. I won’t bring this up again.”

Whatever tether was between us snaps as he walks towards the ice.

NINE

Robbie

What the hellam I doing?

I’ve been asking myself that question ever since I met Olivia. I don’t know what it is about her, but I am in way over my head. And the worst part is, she doesn’t even want anything to do with me.

You are a player and I am an official. That is the end of our professional relationship.

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