Page 5

tyler

I let a curse fly as the third period buzzer sounded. The score was two to two. That meant overtime. I glided to the bench, listening to coach talk. Annoyance clouded my judgement when he put Jon on instead of me. I kept a stone expression as I planted myself on the bench. Adam mumbled a greeting to me. I ignored him, focusing on the start of overtime. I almost hoped we went into a shootout. I'd participated in two shootouts so far, sending the puck flying home for the game-winning goal in the last one. I could do with the experience again.

Unfortunately, my wish was left unanswered. Wishing for a shootout when Kaner was on the ice was a stretch. Despite my disappointment, it still felt good to watch Pat drive the puck home, to listen to the crowd erupt in cheers. A home victory was always rewarding.

This game result in one point my way, an assist to Brinksy that had resulted in a beautiful goal. I would have preferred more, but I couldn't complain. One was better than nothing.

Now, I headed off the ice with my team. We'd been on a winning streak lately. Another step on the ladder bolstered our spirits. Even without a few crucial injured team members, we were steadily moving up the board to playoff territory. Before then, there was the All-Star break. A part of me was bummed I hadn't been selected to play on the Central division team, like Pat had. But I knew my disappointment was ridiculous. Rookies my age never went. Hell, there were guys going for the first time this year and they'd been in the NHL for much longer than I was. Next year, maybe I'd get a chance. A part of me hoped Kaner would go next year as well. I couldn't imagine approaching the event without his relaxed demeanor.

In the locker room, I sat back on the bench. Before I started to unlace my skates, I took in the locker room. As stressful as it was playing so often, choosing to enter the NHL had been the best decision I'd ever made. My teammates had become my brothers in every way possible. I puffed my chest, proud of how well we'd been doing. Jon caught my eye from across the locker room, nodding slightly. I brought my attention back down to my uniform, letting the conversations of my teammates fill my head.

"Hey Waltzer!" I looked up after I'd shrugged my shoulder and chest pads off. Brinksy was pointing at me with a discarded glove. I rose an eyebrow. Once he saw he'd caught my attention, he continued. "I want you to grow that hair out. Duncs can't be the only one with this much lettuce." I wasn't the only who laughed. Duncan's complaints were drowned out.

"Hey, I'll grow it out when Kirbs does." Kirby spread his arms wide. Uh oh. I didn't like the competitive look in his eyes.

"I challenge you to it, eh?" The locker room exploded in pandemonium. Kirby's friendly smile was betrayed by the intensity in his eyes. He held out a hand, waiting for my agreement. I couldn't say no, not in front of the entire team.

"You're on." I could feel the eyes on us as I shook his hand, squeezing it sharply. What had I just gotten myself into? Kirby wasn't going to let this go. I didn't like long hair. Now I was stuck with it.

After everything had calmed down and interviews were finished, Adam and I headed for the car. Kirby would follow, eventually. I wanted to text Halle as soon as possible. Looking down at my phone, I grinned at the picture she'd sent.

In the mirror of her dorm room, the petite blonde was posing in a jersey, showing the back so my name was in full view. On her head sat the beanie I'd sent. In addition to sending the picture to me over Snapchat, she'd added it to her story. I wondered the reaction to it would be, from both her Carolina friends and Toronto family members. I texted her quickly, inquiring after it.

I laughed, letting my phone drop back into my pocket. Adam shot me a confused look. Unlike Halle, I hadn't told my friends that I was texting her. They knew I'd asked if she was the girl from the hockey game, and that I'd gotten her number, but that was it. Every FaceTime session was like dodging the police. I locked myself in my room and tried to be as quiet as possible. I would tell them eventually, but I just didn't want to jinx things yet.

I'd been hoping Halle could visit during the All Star week break. I was planning on taking her on a few dates, then asking her to be my girlfriend. I was crushed when she said she couldn't come. As disappointing as it was, I understood how she needed to be in class. I admired her love for academics. I would have never been able to sit through the classes that she did on a daily basis. The girl was a genius.

Not everyone got into Duke. Hell, it had a ten point eight percent acceptance rate. That was crazy. The amount of work she'd put into her high school career had paid off, but now she was in even harder and longer classes. One late night, she'd told me everything about her biology and math classes, all working towards her goal of becoming a marine biologist.

That was another thing about her. I'd never met anyone who loved the sea more than Halle did. After I followed her on Instagram, I found that her account was mostly pictures of the ocean. I found out that almost every summer since middle school, she'd attended beach camps and science conferences on the beach. She was the embodiment of the ocean, with her bubbly personality, sunny attitude, and naturally tan appearance. I never would have guessed that she was from Canada.

It was part of what I liked so much about her. We were polar opposites, but in the best way possible. I was ice, she was warmth. I wanted nothing more than to make her mine. I'd already told her so much about myself, stuff I'd never freely admitted to anyone. Somehow, for some reason, I trusted her completely. How could I not?

I couldn't wait until I could get home and call her. We'd won, and I knew she'd been watching the game. I never had to ask her to. She watched them all on her own, asking me questions about it afterwards. Even the nights when I arrived home excruciatingly late, she'd pick up the phone the second I called.

When Kirby finally walked out by himself, Adam and I cheered. Somehow, our roommate was always late. We talked quietly on the car ride home, mostly listening to the music I'd chosen to play. Adam didn't talk much from the backseat. I knew I should say something encouraging, but none of us had said anything about the game yet. He'd been dealt a penalty during the middle of the second, and after that he'd lost focus. Coach pulled him off, replacing him in my line. Being pulled off was frustrating, I could understand why my teammate was annoyed.

By the time we finally reached the apartment, I was dragging. I'd call Halle for a little bit, then go to sleep. We'd FaceTimed after every home game, and I wasn't about to break that now.

In my room, I made the mistake of not fully shutting the door. As soon as Halle picked up and I started talking, Kirby blasted in.

"Walty! Who you talking to, eh?" His sudden burst of energy made me groan. This was bound to happen sometime or later. I could hear Halle giggle through my headphones. I disconnected them so Kirby could hear her. When Kirby grabbed the phone from my hands, I let out a yell. He retreated away from me, grinning like a devil. "Whoa now, who's this?" I fell back in bed, covering my face.

"Kirby, meet Halle. Halle, meet Kirby." Faintly, I could hear her voice drifting from my phone.

"Ohh the roommate! Right?"

"Aye aye." Kirby did a mock salute at the camera. I stood, finally making a swipe at my phone. He glared at me. "Not so fast, eh? You can't hog all the pretty girls to yourself." Halle giggled at his words. My cheeks reddened. Kirby moved further away, falling onto the large bean bag chair in the corner of my room. "Now tell me, Halle. How did you end up talking to a brute like Tyzer here?" He tapped his lips thoughtfully.

"Um, he fell into my lap at a Toronto game." Kirby's face lit up at the information.

"Whoa! You're that girl, eh? I didn't know he got your number for real. Little boy moving up in the world, eh?" He tossed the phone at me. I caught it clumsily, half catching it between my chest and hand. Halle let out a complaint at the sudden movement. I shook my head as Kirby retreated. He called out a final dig as he left the room. "Oi, no dirty stuff. This is a clean house, eh? PG only." I blushed again. Of course Kirby had to say something stupid. Halle found his words amusing.

"I was wondering when you'd introduce me to the roommates. There's one left, right?" I nodded, falling back onto my bed.

"Yeah, Adam. He kinda had a rough game so he's in his room moping. I'll get around to it, don't worry." She was quiet for a minute.

"You played good today." I grinned grimly.

"Eh. I wasn't terrible, but I could've focused and worked harder. We just barely won. Coach will work us hard tomorrow in practice."

"Oh that sounds like fun." I nodded. Her next question was overly casual, like she was trying not to sound guilty. "What are you doing March sixth to the sixteenth?"

"Uh, a few games. I think. Let me check the schedule." I exited from the app, looking at the list of games we had coming up. "Yeah. Home games. We come back from a Detroit game on the seventh, play St. Louis, San Jose, and Ottawa during that week. Right after the Ottawa game we leave for Washington."

"Oh. Never mind then." Again, her sadness was faked. I narrowed my eyes, suspicious.

"Why?"

"Spring break. I could have come up if you weren't jammed." I spluttered.

"Home games aren't a problem. I'll still have some free time." She hid her smile from me.

"I'll keep that in mind for the future." I could hear the playfulness of her words. Almost immediately after, she yawned loudly.

"Ah, damn. I'm sorry Halle. I keep forgetting it's later there. You don't have to stay up."

"It's not that late. Tomorrow is Saturday, anyway. I've got time to sleep in. I want to keep talking to you." My heart jumped at her words.

"Alright. Any questions about the game?"

"Not really. Except why weren't you in the overtime group? Don't you usually play with Patrick?" I shrugged.

"Sometimes. Coach likes to put Jon and Pat out at the same time occasionally. I don't question him. It all worked out."

"I guess..." she trailed off, looking at someone or something off camera. Making a weird face, she looked back at me. "Emily wants to know if Kirby is single." I laughed

"Yes, he's very single. Wasn't Emily dating someone though?"

"A girl can window shop!" I heard Halle's roommate faintly. I shook my head. Emily was a different character, that was for sure. She was strong and fiery. Actually, thinking about it, her and Kirby would probably hit it off.

"If you were single I'd ask him if he was interested."

"Really?" Her excitement came out in a shrill squeak. Halle laughed. A muffled scuffle ensued before the bouncy brunette filled my screen. "Ok I'm like, serious though. Luke and I are on the rocks anyway. Oh no. That sounds worse than it is. But I wouldn't be destroyed if a certain very good looking hockey player slid into my DMs." I could see Halle's blonde head bobbing around behind Emily's mass of curls.

"I'll think about it. I'll see what Kirbs thinks, eh?" She pouted slightly. Halle returned, earning a smile from me.

"Hey, Ty, I think we're gonna head out in a bit."

"Where to?" I was confused. I thought she was in for the night.

"We just got an invite to a party off campus." Her entire demeanor had changed. She seemed fidgety and nervous. Emily, on the other hand, let out a whoop from the background. Halle wouldn't look at the camera.

"Ok. You should text me when you get back safe, alright?" We were both surprised by the care in my tone. She finally made eye contact over through the camera. Her sweet smile melted my heart.

"Yeah. I will. Bye, Tyler."

I lay in bed for a few minutes longer, staring at my blank phone. Why had she suddenly decided to go partying, at what must one in the morning there? I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep until she finally texted me.

Two hours later, I was long past tired. Trying to stay awake, I opened Snapchat on my phone. Looking at the list of recommended stories, my heart jumped to find that Halle's name was there. I clicked on the icon, tired confusion clouding my brain.

It took a few watch-throughs to understand what I was seeing. A very obviously intoxicated Emily, filming herself lip syncing. When she flipped the camera, I found myself staring at an slightly indecently dressed Halle. That wasn't the worst part. No, the worst part was the guy lingering at her side, fingers tightened unbearably obvious on the exposed skin on her waist above her skirt. I knew I couldn't be the only one who saw how she swayed drunkenly, attempting weakly to push the blonde away. It was a lot to take in during the duration of the video. My blood boiled uncontrollably.

I sent numerous texts to her. I just needed to make sure she was safe.

Finally, at four a.m. my time, she replied.

I cursed the circumstances Halle had put herself in. Granted, we'd only been talking for a short while, but I figured she was smarter than to go out and party. What had gotten into her?

It took until one in the afternoon the following day for me to find out.

Instead of responding over text, Halle called me. I saw her face for a split second before she paused the feed. She looked rough, with messy hair and a paler skin tone.

"Please, just tell me." Her voice was low and rough. I let out a sigh, rubbing my face harshly with one hand.

"You'll never know how pissed off I was when I saw that guy touching you. When you tried to push him off. Knowing there was no one there to take care of him for you. I felt guilty and angry."

"Why guilty?"

"Because I feel like I should've been there, keeping you safe and protecting you from everything bad in the world."

"Why? It's not like we're—" I cut her off, finishing the thought.

"I know. It's not like we're dating." My mouth pulled into a grim, humorless smile. "But that's why. Because it's all I want right now. I'd quit hockey in a heartbeat if you asked me to, just so I could be with you."

"I would never do that." Her voice was small, partially horrified.

"I know. That's one amazing part of you. One puzzle piece to creating the absolute masterpiece that is you."

"What are you saying, Tyler?" I could hear the catch of anticipation in her voice. I didn't hide my smile.

"I'm saying I like you. More than a texting buddy, more than a friend, and definitely more than whatever we're doing right now."

"Oh thank God." Her relief was obvious. I laughed.

"I, um, like you too. More than like, though. That's for sure."

"Well, what are we going to do about that?" My question was weighted. I sucked in a breath, my heart hammering while I waited for her response.

"I don't know." Her voice was back to being small. "I really want this to be more. But we barely know each other. I just wish we could see each other more."

"You know I'd fly you up here in a heartbeat if you asked me to." She sighed.

"But you're always so busy. I am too."

"Next weekend I'm not." I surprised myself with how blunt the suggestion was.

"Oh...it's All Star week, right? I thought you had stuff, since you only offered for the week. Would you really be willing to pay for my flight up there?" Her excited tone was growing.

"Of course. I'd have you stay the whole week if I could." Halle let out a little squeal.

"I really thought you'd be busy over the weekend. That's why I figured I couldn't come. Is this a plan? You're flying me up? Where will I stay?" Her bubbly questions kept coming. I laughed, trying to fend them off. "Oh, Tyler! I'll call or text you back, I promise. I've got planning to do!"

And plan that girl did. By the end of the day, I'd sent an airline ticket to her. The United ticket was discounted for me, so it didn't cost much. Halle would take a long weekend, like she'd done to visit her family in Toronto during the weekend of that first game. Taking Friday and Monday off of school. Thursday night, she'd fly out. Over the weekend, she'd be staying in our apartment. I'd arranged for either Kirby or Adam to go stay with either Seabs or Smitty. That was, unless one of them didn't mind crashing on the couch for a few nights. They'd have to fight it out, I'd just given them an ultimatum.

Our sudden confession of feelings made things more awkward, yet more charged and lively at the same time. Every time I thought about how soon I'd be seeing her in person again, shivers of anticipation ran up my spine.

I'm sure the rest of the guys noticed my unusually chipper spirits. Of course, Adam and Kirbs were in on the secret. Everyone else, not so much. I wanted to keep things quieter on the off chance things between me and the girl from North Carolina didn't work out. Just a precaution. Just like it was a precaution only Emily knew we were talking on Halle's side. I'm sure it was killing her, not being able to tell her hockey-obsessed siblings all about me.

Practices crawled by at a snail's pace. Even the last game before break was slower. Normally, the three periods shot by in seconds. Now, every excruciating moment dragged on. I played hard, doing my best to encourage the swift passing of time. I garnered two points under my belt, clinching an easy seventy five overall. That milestone took up my mind for only a few seconds before I remembered what else I had to look forward to.

If I'd told Jon or any of the older members why I was so excited, I knew what the reaction would be. Girls were touchy on the team. Sometimes they worked out. Sometimes they didn't. And when they didn't, the aftermath was a grumpy and off-focus player. I'd be reprimanded for letting a distraction come between me and the oh so sweet points I was expected to earn in my debuting season.

I elected to ignore what they would say if they found out. I was happy right now, and playing good because of it. I wasn't about to spoil the streak. We'd beaten the Panthers, earning more points for the team overall. I had one more full day before I got to see her. One session of practices stood in my way, then I was set free for a few days. Free to do whatever I wanted. With whoever I wanted. And my heart told me that whoever was Halle.