Page 50 of Home Game

I watched as a mascot ran down the stairs. “It's not for me. I’m just helping him put his guest bedroom together.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You’re his guest.”

Suddenly the lights dimmed. Electric lights flashed over the sea of fans wearing blue jerseys. And then a voice boomed over the loudspeakers. “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s put a loud welcome together for your team, the Vancouver Wolves.”

“They come out over there,” Krista yelled over the throbbing music. One by one, Ryan’s team came streaming onto the ice, while the entire stadium erupted in madness. With their helmets, shoulder pads and the speed in which they skated, it felt primal. They reminded me of gladiators about to go to battle. Horns blared. People screamed, whistled, and stomped their feet. I watched as the team circled around their half of the ice. I glimpsed Ryan’s number. He looked massive as he skated with speed and grace. I couldn’t keep my eyes off him.

“And here is your starting lineup tonight,” the announcer boomed. He listed the goalie and a couple other players. When he announced Ryan, the stadium crowd deafened us with its roars.

I looked over at Krista in amazement. Her lips were moving, but I couldn’t hear her.

“What?” I yelled.

“They love him here. So much.”

My eyes traveled around the stadium. Everyone was screaming and yelling. So many fans. So much support. All for Ryan.

The game enthralled me,but I couldn’t keep my eyes off Ryan. He became a different person on the ice. He was fierce, fast, and intense. I gasped when he got checked into the boards so hard the plexiglass rattled. The skates scraping on ice, sticks slapping, the puck hitting the boards and the sheer speed and size of the players on the ice felt addictive, in a heady, surreal way.

“Hooked yet?” Krista asked.

I nodded, entranced.

She laughed. “This is just a pre-season game. Wait until the playoffs.”

I bite my lip. There was no way I would be here during the playoffs. This was all temporary.

Ryan scored. The entire place went crazy, except his teammates. No one jumped on top of him. No one gave him a high-five. He looked so alone as he skated back to the bench.

I looked up at Krista who watched him with a concerned look on her face.

“Why?” I asked.

“It’s a long story.”

“He’s so nice though. How could anyone not like him?”

She gave me a sad smile. “It’s complicated.”

CHAPTER 13

RYAN

Krista had textedthat she would wait with Zoey so I could meet up with them and drive Zoey home.

I was packing my bag when one of the guys came up to me. Mike. No Mica.

“Hey man, good game,” he spoke with a thick Russian accent.

“Thanks, you too.”

He looked shame-faced. “Sorry we haven’t talked.”

I shrugged. “No worries. Lots of changes around here.”

He cleared his throat. “So, is Frank your accountant?”

“Yeah.”

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