Page 34 of Cross Check My Heart
That earns a smile.
Watching the team practice was mesmerizing.
I’ve watched recaps and highlights of the Bobcatsbefore. Teams usually sit-down multiple times a week together to go over highlights from past games. So, I know that I’ve watched and overanalyzed how this team plays before. Only, back then, it was to find gaps in lines or weak points in the team. Standing on the benches with Coach during practice was a whole new experience.
They all move so fluidly together. During warmups, the team synchronized to each other’s movements without missing a beat. Then they started actual practice where the team split in half and went against each other. Throughout practice, Coach would point out how certain players moved together and yell out whenthey started slipping up. He paced the bench with the energy of a tiger in a cage, eyes focused on everything all at once.
By the time practice wrapped up, we were joined by the team manager, Marcus, and one of the Assistant Coaches, David. As the guys start coming off the ice, Coach James asks for the starting line to hang back. Landon and Dean skate over, jumping over the half wall before plopping down on either side of me. Reid and Carter are right behind them but stay on the ice, skating in small circles in front of the benches. Greyson comes up last, not giving away any emotions as he leans against the low wall beside Coach.
“I need you five to help make Dominik’s transition to the team seamless. Get to know each other, on and off the ice.” Dean sits up straight, leg bouncing where he sits next to me.
“Like… go to brunch and shit?” I glance at Landon at Dean’s question.
“Dude, I found this place last weekend that has fuckin’ amazing bacon.” Reid pipes up as he skates toward the bench.
“Is it that new place that opened up down the block from that killer Mexican place across the channel?” Carter questions, Reid nods.
These guys are talking like it’s absolutely normal for them to go to brunch. Sarah dragged me out a couple times, and, of course, I loved the breakfast. The idea of the six of us, all well over five foot eight and bulked out sitting in some tiny cafe eating brunch has me shaking my head, laughing.
“They have bottomless mimosas on Saturdays too.” Greyson adds as he meets my shocked expression with a shrug.
“Get brunch, Mexican, or go play video games. I don’t care, just get to know each other. Just help him ease into the team without bumps.” Coach James meets all our stares before finally leaving. Once he’s out of ear shot, I follow the guys to the locker room.
“Sorry you guys got stuck with new guy duty.”
Landon slings an arm over my shoulder, the height difference awkward since he’s walking with his skates on.
“It’s no biggie, a few of us usually hangout a couple times a week anyway and we like to do a team outing at least once a month. We normally hangout at one of our places, order pizza, and play games a couple times a week. Every now and then we go out when Reid finds a place close by for us to try out.” He squeezes me one last time before letting go.
“Did you get housing set up through the team?” Carter questions from behind me.
“Yeah, across the channel. It’s like a ten-minute walk from here.”
Carter nods, motioning to Greyson, Dean, and Landon ahead of us.
“Probably the same building as them.”
“Not you though?” I ask.
He shakes his head, smiling as he answers. “My wife and I just had a house built outside the city. Convinced Reid to do it too, so he lives a few doors down.” He elbows me lightly as he leans in and whispers, “Living thirty minutes away means these pigs don’t come over as much. And while nights after practice are fun, cleaning up after them is not.”
I chuckle lightly in response as we follow the others into the locker room. The vibration from my phone in my pocket surprises me. Typically, during practice, I leave it in my pants pocket and fold them into my gym bag. Garrett is the only one who usually calls or texts me, so when I pull my phone out as I stop in front of my locker, there’s no stopping the smile when I see Lilly’s name instead.
Lilly:
Hope you had a good first day of practice with the team. :)
Me:
It was, didn’t get any action on the ice though.
Lilly:
Damn. It’s a good thing you got action in bed last night then.
There’s no stopping the laugh that escapes at her response.
Me:
