Page 51 of Rookie Season
When we reach our building, I pull right up to the door and stop the car. “I’ll see you later tonight, I guess.”
She opens her door to get out, but peers at me over her shoulder with a smile. “Nah, I'll see you at the game. Good luck, Downsby.” She winks at me and then before I know it, she’s out of the car and striding into the building.
Meanwhile, I sit there stunned.
Did she really just wink at me?
And did I really like it?
Yep, I’m pretty sure on both accounts.
During pregame warmup I experience a sense of deja vu when I see Ally behind the plexiglass. Only this time, she’s chatting with Andie and my nieces, who are crawling all over her trying to win her attention. The sight of them together makes me smile.
The night of our first game, I was frustrated to see Ally in the crowd, but tonight I’m not annoyed to see her. Not in the least. This time, it feels like she belongs here. I like knowing she’s here at the game and not home alone. I know she’s safe if she’s here, and if she wasn’t I’d worry about her.
Something about losing people you love in a car accident is that you always worry about it happening again. Car accidents happen every day, every hour, every second. It’s hard to let go of the fact that twelve years ago my parents got into a car and never came back home.
The anxiety of keeping the people I care about safe is a weight always pressing on my chest. It’s the main reason Istayed close to home for college, close to Mitch and Andie. It’s why I was so relieved when I heard they were coming here for Mitch to coach. My logical brain realizes that living close to them won’t protect them from harm, but there’s a false sense of control somewhere in there that makes my heart feel lighter all the same.
And I can’t deny my growing feelings for Ally when I feel the same strong protective instinct toward her. This is exactly why I’ve always held girls at arm’s length—why I've held everyone at arm's length. Even Penn doesn’t know me the way I know him, and we’ve been roommates and teammates for four years now. Getting close to people is terrifying…because it means more people you can lose. It means more opportunities for your heart to shatter. Allowing Ally to truly know me feels more terrifying than anything I’ve ever done, but it’s something I can’t help but lean into right now, despite the potential cost.
Maybe it’s a case of more risk, more reward…
I swallow, the thought making me itchy. How did I go from her presence distracting me to her absence distracting me? I’m honestly not sure. But in three short weeks she’s gone from being in my loft to being in my head, under my skin, and all around me.
And the strangest part is…I don’t even mind. The opposite, in fact.
I probably need to schedule a therapy session. It’s been a while.
Shooting a puck into the empty net while the goalie stretches, I skate around the boards and tap my gloved hand against the glass. Harlow, Laini, and Paige blow me kisses through the glass, and I blow three kisses back. I don’t even think as I do it, but when I turn, I see Ally watching me with soft eyes. For a moment, all I can thinkabout is how pretty she looks, howIwas the one to put that expression on her face…but then I see the Lions’ social media team eating up the scene and aiming their fancy ass camera at me.
I grit my teeth, trying not to look annoyed. I was simply enjoying a moment with my family, and I hate being watched all the time, but I know being in the spotlight is a part of this job. I just have to suck it up and deal with it.
Andie bangs on the glass with her palm, distracting me from my irritation. She points down to the girls and directs them to turn around. All three of them have their hair up in messy buns so I can see the back of their jerseys.Uncle Noahis written on the back of all three.
I shoot my older sister a smile, and she mouths,kick ass tonight.
I nod in response then turn toward Ally almost reflexively. She waves and yells, “good luck.”
Holding her gaze through the glass, I say, “thank you.”
When I skate back over toward my teammates, Penn and Fisher are waiting for me with matching smirks on their faces.
“What?”
“You’re going to be all over the internet tomorrow, man,” Penn says with a low whistle.
Fisher nods, widening his eyes. “Be prepared for women to fill your DMs.”
I snort. “Why?”
Penn rolls his eyes. “You’re so oblivious. Chicks live for that shit. Big broody hockey player interacting with his adorable nieces.”
“While they’re wearingUncle Noahjerseys,” Fisher adds. “That’s pucking cute, man. Hell, I might try to crawl into bed with you tonight.”
“Don’t you dare,” I say, but can’t keep the laughter out of my voice.
The only roommate I want crawling into bed with me is Ally.
