Page 26 of Body Checking
His mouth does the fish open and close a few times before speaking. “I mean, do you blame me?”
I sigh. “I guess you’re right about that.”
He gives me almost a shy smile. “You know, Maren is good for you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile and I’ve seen you do it at least three times since you started speaking with her.”
I furrow my brow and deepen my voice. “Don’t tell anyone or you’re doing extra sprints.”
His boyish crooked grin returns and he tells me, “You got it, Hammer.”
I growl and he jumps up, probably remembering the last time he was in my office and a stack of sticky notes almost caught him in the face.
The game ended in a hard loss and it has the entire team down. It was tied one-to-one in the third with only minutes left. While the other team had control, Bicknelle –my center– left his position to put pressure on the puck. My wings got to work as they moved into five on a die. Bicknelle moved to take away the high slot on a high screen while Karlsen –my D1– watched the guy on the weak side and Jarvis –my D2– watched the strong side. My defenseput good pressure and the right wing was forced to dump the puck.
Bicknelle moved in, made eye contact with Jarvis and they both read the play. Bicknelle positioned himself to pick the puck up and wheel behind the net to make some space. He checked over his shoulder to see defense on him, and looked in front of him to see the weak side player just waiting to take that puck from him. He checked his right side and saw Ludwig open and waiting to take the puck on the swing. But right as Bicknelle was about to pass, something caught his attention away from the play and his pass ended up in the hands of the opponents F3 who was positioned in the high zone and was able to slap it in for a goal and light the lamps.
Now I drag myself back to my office to grab my bag and get the hell out of here. I’m in need of some cheering up and only one person can do that for me. I sit down at my desk for just a few moments to make some notes when Golden peeks his head inside my door.
“Hey Coach,” he calls, drawing my attention. “Just want to say sorry about the loss. We’ll get them next time.”
“We will,” I assure him.
“Oh, and there are a couple of pretty ladies out here waiting for you.” My face instantly changes from grouchy and irritated to happy. “What the fuck is that?”
“What’s what?” I ask.
“That thing on your face? It looks like–like a smile. But that can’t be right. Got indigestion maybe?”
“Get out of here you shit.” He laughs and jogs off and I toss my bag over my shoulder and walk out.
Just as I shut the door behind me and turn around, Maren waits there, her beautiful face with a small smile glowing. Her friend Sasha stands right beside her but she doesn’t look at me. She watches Golden as he disappears down the hall.
“Hey gorgeous. What a wonderful sight you are.” I pull her into my arms and kiss her, finally feeling like I can breathe without the weight of the world on my shoulders.
We separate and she touches my scruffy face. “Sorry about the loss, Hammer. Good try.”
I shrug and play it off like it’s not a big deal. “Can’t win ‘em all.”
Her nails rake through my short beard and the sparkle in her eye tells me she’s feeling more than just lukewarm feelings, too. I feel like my life is moving as fast as the game I love, changing from one second to the next, but this isn’t a game and I don’t think I can lose. Not with Maren.
“Okey dokey. I’m ready to go. Why don’t you two sickening lovesick kids have a good night. I’m heading home.” Sasha joins us, having lost sight of Golden.
“Don’t you want me to go with you? I hate to have you driving alone.” Maren, being the good person she is, says with worry lacing her voice.
Sasha bats her hand in front of her with a “Psssh. I’m fine. I brought my mace and stun gun. No one’s gonna mess with me. And if they do, they’re in for a shock of a lifetime. Get it?” She cracks up and I admit, I chuckle too.
“Lord, you’re crazy. Let us drive you to your car?”
“Maren,” Sasha chastises.”I. Am. Fine. Go with your man and I’ll walk. I’m from the tough streets of H-Town. I can do this.” She flexes her arm and the smallest muscle bulges in her thin arm.
“Sasha. You grew up in Bel-Air Heights. That is hardly the tough streets. The toughest thing about that neighborhood was a pothole in the street.” Maren smacks her arm and rolls her eyes.
“Yeah, Sasha. We can drive you. You’re not walking by yourself. It would make us both feel better,” I add.
Just then, Bram comes sauntering down the hall and his eyes focus on the ladies. He eyes them like a hungry predator and when he looks up to see me glaring at him, I clench my jaw and slowly shake my head.
This fucker has been a pain in my ass all season and I’m on the verge of begging the owners to trade him. Let him try anything and I’ll sack his sorry ass right here.
“Hey Coach. Shitty game, right? If Bicknelle wouldn’t have fucked up that pass I could’ve scored.” His cocky grin has me wringing my hands with anger.
