Page 38

CHAPTER 38

Charlie

Things have gone pretty well so far. I’ve been ignoring Troy as much as I can, even though he seems to be trying his hardest to engage with me, and we’re about to start the last period. I can tell Cami is getting more and more relaxed the closer we get to the end of the game. She tried to put on a brave face for me, but I know she’s nervous about the conflict between Troy and I even though she doesn’t know exactly what happened between us.

Usually when we play against the Hurricanes, Troy and I don’t have many issues. We’re both center forwards, so we do get a good amount of interaction, but we always keep it mostly professional. It still gets on my nerves to be on the ice with him, even if he is on an opposing team, but he ignores me and I ignore him. Tonight, though, it feels a bit like he’s a shark circling his prey. Nothing has happened so far, but I can’t help but feel like he’s biding his time.

I take the ice for the face-off, and Troy and I get low right on top of the face off dot. Soren is to my left, and just knowing he’s there feels good. It makes me frustrated with myself that I didn’t make friends sooner, because knowing I have support makes things a lot less stressful.

The ref is getting ready to drop the puck, but before he does Troy takes his shot.

“Got a hot new piece, Cade,” he says in a low mocking voice.

“Don’t go there, Troy. We’re here to play a game.”

“I wonder what kind of games she’d like to play. Back in high school she loved playing games,” he draws out the word loved. I wonder why the ref isn’t dropping the puck because if this guy keeps on I’m afraid of what I’ll do.

“Shut up, man.”

“She did look so pretty underneath me back in high school. You think she compares us now that she’s with you?”

I don’t consciously make the decision to drop my stick and grab him by the jersey, but before I know it I’m doing it. He’s surprised by my attack, probably because I’m usually a gentle giant and I haven’t snapped back at him ever, and it’s an advantage for me because I have him down on the ice before he can even retaliate. I use the palm of my hand to push his helmet off, then get one good punch in before someone is pulling me off of him and I realize two seconds later that it’s Soren and not a ref.

“You don’t ever speak about Cami like that, you understand me?” Soren yells as he straddles Troy and throws two solid punches. The referees are trying to break up the fighting, but I’m not about to help as I watch Soren stand up for my girl. He’s holding Troy down by pushing on his chest. “I said, do you understand?”

Troy spits at Soren, so he throws another punch and repeats the question. All around us, the other players have started fighting in order to keep the refs busy and it’s utter chaos.

“Damn, fine I understand. Get the hell off of me.” Then and only then does Soren let the refs pull him off of Troy. He heads off of the ice to get cleaned up, and he needs it considering the multiple blows to the face. Soren grabs me and pulls me into a hug, taking me completely off guard.

“I heard him talking shit. I’m sorry he said that stuff.”

“Thanks for having my back.”

“Always, man.”

I receive a two minute penalty, and Soren gets five. As we skate over to the penalty box, I go looking for my girl. The moment we lock eyes she takes in a sharp breath. I can tell she’s worried because her shoulders are up towards her ears and Alana has her hand placed on her back, rubbing soothingly. Mia looks less worried and more impressed. I catch her smiling at Soren and I know they’re just fine.

I smile at Cami and send her a wink. She mouths the words, “You good?” I nod and she returns the gesture, taking a deep breath and sitting back down. I desperately want to leave the game and go to her, hug her and tell her everything. Suddenly these secrets I’ve been keeping seem minute in comparison to everything she and I have going on.

I get this overwhelming feeling of wanting her to know me fully and completely, and this high school situation is part of that. I don’t want to let it define me and my relationships any more, and I vow to tell her everything. Tonight.