Page 42 of Lucky Sucker

Wren let out a little shimmy of excitement. I loved his reactions to being called a good boy and referring to myself as Daddy. It was almost like he was flourishing now. I loved every single moment of it, even if I was still very new to it all.

The team were prepared for the first game of the season. Anticipation was high, we had to win this, we had to start with a bang, or else the celebration plans would’ve been preemptive, while Wren had reassured me they were manifestations. Oh god, I loved the way he put things, it was so damn special.

“Orcas!” I called out to the team. “We’re going to show the Green Mountain State just who really runs these maple mountains. We’ve beaten them before, we’re going to beat them again. Remember, we’re all moving parts working toward the same goal. Everyone knows the plays; everyone knows what to do. Let’s not go in too aggressively but meet them if they begin bodychecking.” I glanced at Liam and Jack, known for being the biggest guys on the team, and most often in the penalty box.

We stomped and cheered like a war cry, but it was so loud of out the locker room that nobody would’ve even heard us.

The seats were full, packed with support, everyone dressed in the team colors, and jerseys. Some of them had signs, some with my name, but not as many as there had been. A downside to relationships, but as I scanned the crowd and spotted those signs, I saw Wren, and I realized I didn’t need the ego boost of my name or the throws of people asking me out on dates. I had my person.

Nothing beat the thrill of the game, the excitement of competing against others who also desperately wanted to win. It didn’t compare to the friendly games we played within the team. We weren’t hungry enough to compete for points, this was the real deal, and I was going to savor every moment of it.

We played to our strengths from the whistle, and within a minute, I’d scored, firing a puck into the back of the opposition’s net. This is what I was talking about. This was what I meant by starting the season of strong.

Wren jumped from his seat as did most in support as they cheered for the score. He even pressed his orca teddy to the glass, and I had to force myself not to watch. This might’ve been difficult, he should’ve been watching somewhere else, I was easily distracted around him.

After the first twenty minutes were wrapped up with us being up by one, I tried not to look back out into the sea of supporters, but Wren caught my eye from wherever he was, like I could tell in which direction he was in from wherever I was standing.

“Good shot,” Coach said as I squeezed nearly a full sports water bottle in my mouth. “But we should’ve had more rink control. We let them get shots on goal a handful of times. So, with that being said, Marcus you’re up. Freshmen, your time will come, but not yet.”

The pure defeat on the freshmen faces was familiar. We’d all been there, we’ve got practice and train, show the coach and the team what we’re capable of. The first game of the season isn’t the time to try out new strategies or players. I supported the coach with keeping them on the bench, but we had two more periods to get through and we needed more shots on goal from our side.

As the intermission light show happened, Coach continued to tell us how well we were doing, and I rallied myself to focus. Coach noticed and after the group talk, he pulled me aside.

“I’ve never seen you look like a lovesick puppy,” he said, a big grin taking up half of his face. “I’m giving you a free pass to be a lovesick puppy for a little while longer because of thatluckyshot you got on the goal earlier, but you’ve got to keep it up, otherwise, I might have to revoke his all-access pass.”

“We don’t have passes,” I said.

“I know, it was a joke. I’m just saying. He’s also trying to do his thing reporting for the college paper, so if you’re both distracting each other, you’re both gonna end up flunking. And I might not mind having you stay on for another year, but it would be too much of a headache, and you know that too.”

I nodded. That wasn’t an idea I wanted to entertain. “Don’t worry, Coach, we’re professionals.”

“You’re twenty-one,” he said. “As long as your professional on the ice, I don’t care what you get up to. I mean, except for—” he scoffed. “Just keep the work up, and then all I’ve got to worry about is our away game next weekend.”

I’d always put pressure on myself, and this wasn’t any different. I was going to make this season as captain the best season the Orcas had ever had. I was going to have my graduation photo in the hall of fame case out in the hallway, and I was going to use that extra spark Wren gave me to get me there.

Catching the twinkle in his eye as the lights above crossed over him were a sign. He nodded, but I could see it was less of a nod and more of him putting his head down to write notes.

As soon as the second period began, they scored, but we caught back up to them after one of the defenders for the opposition decided to throw their stick in front of Ryan who went flying flat on his helmet. A brawl almost broke out, and it might have done if we weren’t awarded a penalty shot which he managed to score with.

Coach called us in before the final period and made sure we weren’t going to get distracted by the other team’s want to fight. We could all see it on them, the way they kicked their feet into the ice and almost broke their sticks with the force they pummeled them with.

Liam closed his eyes and hold both hands up. “I’m in zen mode,” he said, letting out a hum. “Ohm.”

“Good,” Coach said, slapping him on his shoulder padding. “Now, we’re up by one. I know you’ve got it in your to do better.”

It took it as a direct message to me. And I also knew it would benefit Wren if I managed to score again. He needed the points for his fantasy team, and I was happy to help. I wanted those brownie points, and I wanted to make tonight special, more special than it was already shaping up to be.

“If they score, we score another,” Coach said. “We’re not going to tie this up. We’re going to show them we’re not going to be goaded into body checks, at least, not until we play them again.”

We erupted into a cheer that was covered up by the sound of music playing through the speakers above. I loved this team so much, and we were going to win, in fact, my goal was to win every single game this season, go to play-offs, get scouted, and become a beast in the NHL.

At least I could dream.

The final period of the game started off strong for us with another shot from me, and Liam doing what he did best and blocked players from getting close. The moment I had eyes on a shot, I was nearly always going to make it. Except for when I was being so incredibly distracted by Wren.

* * *

First game of the season was a success.

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