Page 125 of Ice Darling
“Tell the truth, are you trying to sabotage us?” Theilan demands as he skates up to me. “Chance is messing up his plays on purpose, and so are you, right?”
He’s wrong. Chance isn’t messing up his plays. He’s trying a new technique.
Both Gunner and Chance are on the opposing team, and they’re moving with more swagger than strategy. It’s a friendly game, and everyone is experimenting.
And I…
I’m not playing badly on purpose, but it’s like my eyes have a will of their own. Why isn’t Cordelia here yet?
“I’ve got a lot on my mind,” I mumble.
“And what? You think I don’t have my own crap to worry about? I’m taking this seriously,” Theilan snaps. “And you let the puck bounce against your skates. Twice. So are you with us or not?”
“I’m with you,” I say, feeling chastised.
The sound of hockey sticks fighting for the puck breaks our two-man huddle. Up ahead, our teammates commandeer the puck.
The party’s coming back to us.
I skate ahead. “Focus on the game.”
“You first,” Theilan snaps, and then he moves to intercept.
I breathe out, watching the cloud of ice escape my mouth.
Focus, focus.
It does nothing.
My body’s here, but my heart isn’t.
That’s no excuse.
I’m the one who convinced Theilan and the rest of the team to join the scrimmage. The least I can do isnotplay halfheartedly.
It takes a bit of warming up—and at one point, I almost skate into the goal post when I see someone who looks like Cordelia in the stands—but I find my focus eventually.
The game goes on for an impressively long time. In the end, Chance and Gunner take the win, but our team only lost by a point. That’s not bad.
I pat Theilan on the back as the other team celebrates. I saw how much of his heart and soul was left on the ice. He had something to prove, and he proved it.
I pat Watson too. “That blocker save was impressive, man.”
“Thanks, but what’s up with you?” Watson’s eyes float to the crowd. “You too distracted by your girlfriend?”
“Girlfriend?” I spin around, looking for Cordelia. “Where?”
Watson points at Miss Potts.
I scowl.
Theilan notices my reaction and jokes, “That’s not his girl. It’s that pretty new mechanic with the bike, remember?”
Watson laughs loudly.
Theilan grins from ear to ear.
We lost, but you wouldn’t be able to tell by the smiles on their faces. I can relate. Hockey isn’t for everyone, but for thosewho understand, there’s nothing like getting on the ice. Inviting Theilan and Watson to a scrimmage was the right call.
