Page 19 of Sin Bins and Second Chances
Blue and pink lights scan over the ice, adding to the atmosphere as the music plays and I step onto the ice with my team. I glide across the ice as the team starts hitting pucks at the net. My eyes find the section I know she’ll be at. It’s the same seats Andrew’s family always gathers at, right against the glass. They’re next to the sin bin and I smile, knowing I’m going to see her more than I thought.
I skate near the penalty box, knowing that is typically where the Miles family sits. They like to be at the glass near the net where we will spend the first and third period. It’ll be too tempting to find myself in the sin bin, but I can’t be too eager. If I get called out, it needs to be worth it.
Turning around, I move down to stretch. Stretching isn’t something I prioritized until I went pro. One wrong pull and you could be out for most of the season. Stretching is integral.
I also pick this spot to stretch because it’s near the Miles family. Looking over my shoulder, I catch her looking. I smirk and turn back to the ice. After a little more stretching, I join the rest of the team, skating on our side while shooting for the goal. The music is loud over the speaker, covering the noise of the crowd. I glance at the giant screen to see it’s almost time.
As soon as the buzzer sounds, game mode takes over. The first string is on the ice and I lock in on the game, knowing my time will come soon enough. One coach says something in my ear, but I’m too zoned in and it takes me a second for it to register. As second line, I head for the ice when Becker skates to the bench.
The first period passes in a little bit of a blur. We head to the locker room with a score of one to one. It’s always a close game when the Bobcats play the Cheetahs.
It’s quiet in the locker room during the intermission. The tv mounted in the cornershows the countdown and the ice girls out on the ice, but nobody in this locker room is paying attention. We’re all zoned out.
Andrew stretches out on the floor, giving his back a break after beautifully defending our goal for multiple shots attempted.
I try to keep my head in the zone, but thoughts of Daisy soon take over when there are no true distractions. All I can think about is getting back to the ice and gaining her attention. I want her eyes on me.
The second period starts and Connor sneaks one into the goal, putting us back in the lead with two to one. There’s excitement on the ice, but also an eery calm in the arena.
I know why. There have been no fights. I’m pretty sure someone shouted “someone hit someone” earlier. I take a glance over at my girl to see her standing and cheering with the others. She’s front and center because she’s right behind the glass. I watch her turn towards someone and get annoyed at the sight.
I understand she’s supporting her cousin, but this will be the last fucking time she’s wearing ajersey that doesn’t have my name on it. And someday hers.
“Miller, what made you go to such a loser team?” Number four of the cheetah’s skates pass me.
“Yeah, you’re still playing for the cheeseburgers and yet they refuse to give you anything more than a one year contract.” I chuckle.
“What made you come back? Couldn’t cut it when you attempted the big city life?”
‘Yeah, and I’ve seen better hands on a clock.” I shake my head.
I know he’s trying to figure out which buttons to press, but it ’s not going to work. Another member of the cheetahs skates over. “Damn, who’s the babe?” I know where he’s looking. “Oh look, it’s their goalie’s cheering section. Family is great. Think he’d let me join? I’d love a piece of?—”
Red. Fucking red.
I’m not sure who takes the first swing. There’s been chirping since before the game even started, it was only a matter of time. The hit comes a split second after someone yanks my helmet off. Even the ref nearby isn’t enough to pull us apart before more hands arethrown.
Cheers erupt in the stands as more players join. It’s not until the other refs and a few players are helping separate us when I think to glance over at her. Her brows furrow. She looks pissed. At who? I’m not fucking sure.
They escort me to the penalty box, thankfully I’m not the only one. The cherry on top is me watching one ref escort one of the fucking cheetahs off the ice entirely. Worth it. I slip my helmet back on and look to my left to see Daisy staring at me. She shakes her head before laughing.
I wink at her, then return my focus to the ice. My gaze flickers between the game and the clock. My legs shakes with anticipation as I know the timer is on until I can return to the game. When the door finally opens for me, I skate fast.
I make it to them just in time to see Andrew knock a puck away from the goal. I spin around to back him up and pass the puck to Olsson. He skates with it across the ice and we’re back to the other side.
Chapter Ten
DAISY
Ican only imagine the rush the team is feeling right now. Probably cheering each other on in the locker room while sitting around and taking their time before taking off the heavy pads. The Bobcats won three to two in the last minute. I was starting to think we were going to end up going into overtime; it was a close one.
Whiskers, the mascot, walks across the ice with the Lonestar Bobcats flag waved high as the crowd leaves the stand. The jersey the mascot wears is the same as the team wears at home games, unless there’s a special event. I’ve seenthemed jerseys worn by the team, mascot, and the ice girls.
My eyes flicker over to the stage at the opposite end of where the players come and go. The blue, white, and pink lights light up the stage as the ice girls finish up their last victory cheer.
I once threatened Andrew I was going to join the ice girls. He immediately called my bluff when he asked if I was really going to be able to learn the dance moves and start doing cardio. We both knew I wasn’t. I’m not the type to workout, outside of helping out at the ranch.
My family takes their time leaving the rink, not that we’re the only ones. I’ve noticed some of the same faces, the season pass holders, linger before walking to their vehicles. I can’t blame them, it’s a lot of people and vehicles leaving at once.
