Page 9

Grant

Our first game is a friendly at home, but it’s against our biggest rivals, so I know it’ll be anything but pleasant.

I’m tugging my Huntington Wolves jersey on over my pads and putting my headphones back in my ears, trying to get focused. It’s my first game as captain, and the nerves are there.

I’ve already moved around the benches of our dressing room encouraging the team, especially the rookies, even though we mostly face each other, I take time with each person to make sure they’re getting in the zone, and now I’m trying to remember everyone’s strengths, and weaknesses so we might use them to our advantage.

While playing with my phone, leaning back against my green and black locker, I look back at the text Brooke sent, wishing me luck.

It’s her first-ever hockey game, and we’ve all been coaching her on how it works, but she’s struggling with it a little. Cami promised a rinkside crash course during the game.

She came running over to our apartment when she opened the jersey I got her as a moving-in present, and then fell over laughing when Bear and Adam tackled me, realising I had put my name and number on the back, which she hadn’t noticed until she showed it off.

I overheard her say to Cami that she needed to get a jersey for the game, and I knew she would wear someone's, and there was no other option but for it to be mine. I started to overthink giving it to her, but she’s my friend.

She would want to support me and wear my jersey just like Cami wears Bear's. Because she refuses to wear Adam’s number “69” and Gunnar's jersey is, of course, off limits to anyone who isn’t Sasha.

In the last two weeks since Brooke entered, we've practically merged our apartments, as we are all hanging out so much. I’ve gone running with her twice a week, sometimes with the guys, sometimes alone, but she says it helps her anxiety, so I’m all for making sure she keeps going.

Between classes starting up and getting ready for the season, I haven’t had the time to hook up with anyone. It’s a little weird for me, but I’m putting it down to the new captain status and the pressure; we’ve got some parties coming up, so I'm sure that will change soon.

I take my headphones out, ready to get the guy's head in the game, and I’m immediately hit with Adam and Bear bickering.

“What now?” I snap at the two of them, and they swing their heads towards me.

“Trying to decide if we should get burgers or tacos after.” They shrug at each other, and I shake my head; those two could start an argument over anything and everything.

“Burgers,” Gunnar huffs, sitting down next to me and chucking his phone into his cubby.

“All good?” I ask him.

“Yeah, just Sasha wanting to wish me luck,” he says, checking his skates.

“Long-ass good luck,” Adam murmurs, and Gunnar throws him a glare.

“She had a bad day,” he states. “She was venting.”

“Great timing,” I hear Adam mumble again, and Bear hits him upside the head.

Before Gunnar can react, the doors open and the coach walks in.

Game time.

We lost 2-1. We are still working on some lines and changes, so it's no surprise that we just couldn't pull it together in time for another goal.

Some of the team are going to the bar, but the four of us are heading to meet the girls at the local diner.

We walk in, spotting the girls in the back, taking up a large booth, and they both have their laptops open in front of them.

“Boring!” Adam cups his hands and shouts over, making heads turn as we walk past. “Put those away.”

Cami glares at him and gives him the finger, while Brooke smiles good-naturedly and closes her laptop.

“Sorry about the loss,” she frowns, hugging Adam and then Bear, Gunnar’s already scooted in next to Cami.

“I didn't know what was happening half the time, but you scored!!” She smiles as I wrap my arms around her. I immediately feel the stress of the game ease off. Even in a friendly game, I put a lot of pressure on myself and the team to take advantage of real game time on the ice. I can’t help but squeeze her tighter and lift her slightly, making her laugh.

I usually take a couple of hours to shake it off, especially with a loss.

I typically head to the bar or a party surrounded by noise and people.

I can distract myself enough to stop replaying the game in my head, and what we can do differently.

This is different. It’s like Brooke is all the distraction I need.

“I didn’t score.” I frown down at her when I put her down and pull away. Her face turns a little pink with embarrassment. I shouldn’t enjoy teasing her this much, but it’s fun.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I thought it was your number, and I could have sworn they said Ander—” she rambles on, and I can’t hold it in and laugh.

“I’m sorry,” I exclaim as she hits me. “It was too easy, but you’re right, I scored. Thanks for the hug.”

“No, you don’t get a hug, I take it back,” she sulks, sliding in next to Bear.

“You can’t take hugs back,” I scoff, pushing Adam over more, bumping into Cami, who pushes him back. He throws his hand up in frustration, telling her to quit it.

“Can too, right, Cami? I can take hugs back.”

“You certainly can, B.” She looks up from pushing Adam again. “Especially when it’s Grant.”

I shoot her a glare and look back at Brooke, who is sticking her tongue out at me. I can’t help but splutter a shocked laugh, and she smiles triumphantly.

“Trouble,” I mutter, looking at the menu and then back up, giving her a wink that makes her blush again.

We all order and start talking about the game, trying to teach Brooke some more of the rules before the food arrives, and we stop talking while we eat. Cami and Brooke shake their heads and keep talking between bites of their food while we just grunt in response.

“Why do you have your laptops?” Adam mumbles around his burger, barely making it possible for us to understand him.

“What?!” Cami snaps at him

“He said Why do you have laptops? '” Bear confirms while stuffing fries into his mouth, making as much sense as Adam.

“Oh, because B needs to find a project for her business class.” Cami smiles at Bear while ignoring Adam’s eye roll.

“What kind of project?” Gunnar asks.

“Well, something that will last the whole year, and I can advertise it.” She takes a sip of her drink. “I overheard some girls talking about starting an app up.”

“That sounds complicated,” I say to her, and she meets my gaze.

“That’s what I thought, but then I thought maybe I’m just not thinking big enough.” She sighs in what sounds like relief.

“Nah, apps are a lot of work,” Adam confirms. “My brother works in tech, and he says it can take a while to test and get it off the ground.”

“Okay, so no app for definite,” Brooke confirms and sighs. “Should have just stayed with the English major.”

“And done what with it, B?” Cami says, chucking a fry at her. “You and I both know your college degree would have just been sitting in a frame in your and Josh’s mansion.”

“I was not going to live in a mansion,” Brooke huffs, pushing her fries around her plate. “It was an apartment by the river.”

“How many floors?” Cami gives her a pointed look.

“Two,” she mumbles in response and sinks into her seat.

“You’ve got a fresh start, challenge yourself and take it, B,” Cami fires one more shot as she pushes Adam and me out of the booth and heads off to the bathroom, and Bear turns to Brooke, wide-eyed.

“That was mean and motivational,” he says.

“It’s our love language.” Brooke sighs, eating the fry. “She’s a pusher.”

We all nod in agreement.

“So, a two-floor apartment?” Adam asks, grinning while Brooke sighs and leans her head on her hand as we all join in to make fun.

Four Hockey Bros and their groupies

Cami L- That name needs to go.

Gunnar C- Seriously. You couldn’t come up with anything better?

Grant A- It’s growing on me

Brookie B- How do I unsubscribe?

The Bear- Also like to hit unsubscribe.

Adam P- Aw, come on, I just wanted us to all be able to chat in one place.

Cami L has changed the group name

Two queens and their four bitches

Cami L- All fixed.

Brookie B - That’s more like it.

Gunnar C- How is that better?

Grant A- Also growing on me the more I look at it.

Brookie B sent a wink emoji to Grant A message.