As we file into the locker room, it’s like I’m thrown back in time, to a place I never want to visit again. It’s my first time being in one of the away team’s locker rooms, but it looks exactly like the home team’s. This used to be my home team. And I’m so glad it’s not anymore.
Last year, when I came to Wyncote, I was able to avoid playing the Panthers—the team I used to play for. They only matched up once or twice in a season and thankfully, those games were played before I moved. Now that I’m here, playing on the opposing side, it just feels fucking strange.
I fucked up when I was here. I never should have gotten involved with my coach’s daughter. When we first hooked up, I didn’t know who she was… until she showed up at one of our practices to talk to her dad. After that, I knew I needed to end shit with her. Not to mention the fact that she was pushing for more than I could give her.
Carly wanted a relationship and I didn’t want anything with her. She didn’t take it well and it became a huge fucking scandal. I hightailed it out of there and never looked back. But now I’m back and I don’t fucking like it.
“Hey,” Logan says as he walks over to me, a grim look on his face. “How are you doing? You look like you could puke.”
“I mean, being here definitely has that effect,” I tell him with a shrug as I pull my chest protector over my head. “No, I’m good, though. I just want to get this game over with and get the fuck out of here.”
Logan nods, but doesn’t offer any words. He doesn’t need to because he understands. Logan, August, and Cam were all by my side when shit went down and went south. No words need to be spoken about it now because it’s all in the past. There’s nothing that can be done about it now. We just need to play this game so I can be done here.
Everyone is still getting dressed after I finish tying my skates. Reaching into the front pocket of my bag, I pull out my phone to see if Eden said anything else to me. I look at the time and notice it’s a little after six. I told her to be here around six-thirty, so I’m not sure if she’s on her way or not.
Hayden: Hey you. Are you on your way to the rink yet?
Eden: Just getting ready to leave now. Why aren’t you on the ice?
A smile tugs at my lips. This girl doesn’t miss a beat. Instead of feeding into the conversation, she’s always quick to call me out and I love it. I love the challenge she presents.
Hayden: We’re getting ready to go out in a few. I can’t wait to see you.
Eden: You better pay attention to the game and not to who is sitting in the stands.
This is the first time she’s watching me play. I know she’s seen me at practice before, but having her here at an actual game is something different. There isn’t a need to impress her, but there’s definitely some pressure to play my ass off. I don’t want to look like a scrub on the ice with her watching me.
It’s hard to not think about her sitting up there. I already know I’ll be looking for her when I first get out there, but I’ll have to push it from my mind and focus on the task at hand: beating the fucking Panthers so I can get back to my girl.
“You guys ready to go?” Asher calls from over by the doorway as his eyes scan the locker room. “Coach wants us out there to start practicing now.”
Everyone practically jumps to their feet as the noise level rises and they all get hyped up. The energy in the room is fucking buzzing and like a high of its own. Looking down at my phone, I tap out another message to Eden.
Hayden: I gotta get on the ice, but I’ll see you afterward. Wish me luck, baby.
I don’t get the chance to wait for her response as August walks over and grabs my phone from me. Quickly rising to my feet, I narrow my eyes at him as I put my hand out. He laughs and completely bypasses my hand as he shoves it back into the pocket of my bag.
“Your girl will be waiting for you after the game,” he says, clapping his hand on my shoulder as he attempts to usher me out of the room. “We need you to get your head in this shit and not worry about her right now.”
Before giving me a chance to respond, August exits the locker room and I follow along behind him. He’s right, and I need to follow his advice if I’m going to follow anyone’s. Of all people, it has to be the hardest for August with a fiancée and a baby at home. It’s not as easy for his girl, Poppy, to come watch with their little one that she’s taking care of.
I have to give him all the credit in the world, though. I don’t know how he does it. There’s a part of me that thinks if I were in that situation, it would be impossible to leave them at home while I’m out playing. But then again, it’s all in the name of the game. And if we all make it to a professional level, it’s only going to get more intense, with more time away from our people.
We go through our warm-up on the ice, everyone working on their shots and stretching. Before I know it, the stands are beginning to fill up and it’s almost time for the puck to drop. As we skate over to our lineup for the national anthem, I can’t keep my eyes from looking around the arena. I don’t see her at first, but when I do, it’s almost as if everything around us vanishes.
Eden is behind our bench, about ten rows off the ice. She has a black beanie pulled over her head and she’s wearing my jersey. I wasn’t sure if she would or not, but I made sure there was one in her room waiting for her. A smile pulls on the corners of her lips as our gazes collide. She slowly raises her hand to me and I do the same, not giving a fuck if anyone notices.
We all line up for the face-off, with our normal line of guys out on the ice. I get into my defensive zone as Logan gets into his. The tension is high, adrenaline coursing through everyone’s system as we stare at the ice, waiting to see the ref drop the puck. Suddenly, the black frozen disc hits the ice and the game is on.
August and the center from the other team battle over the puck. It doesn’t take much for August to get it into our zone, passing it to one of our teammates. Logan and I both hang back as we watch them skate toward the opposing goal. We move along the ice, following behind in case we need to intervene.
It isn’t long into the first period before our team is already scoring a goal and it’s time for me to let someone else on the ice. As I skate over to the bench, I lift my head, my eyes finding Eden in the crowd. She’s smiling down at me, her eyes intense as she watches the entire game unfold.
It’s a pretty mundane game. The Panthers have definitely gone to shit from when I played for them. By the time we get to the third period, we’re beating them 5-1. And the only reason they managed to get a puck past Asher was because one of their teammates was fucking with him.
Believe it or not, the ref didn’t call it, which is fairly typical for them. There’s always dirty hits and shit that gets missed. Or sometimes it seems like they just don’t even want to make the call. It’s annoying as fuck, but that’s where Logan and I come in as the enforcers. He tends to get into more fights than I do, but I’m never against it.
I know the guy who fucked with Asher. Number 87, Artemis. I played on the same goddamn team with him for two and a half seasons. He’s as dirty as they come and he’s a dumbass for thinking he could get one over on our goalie and get away with it.
Logan and I both hit the ice, Logan pointing over to Artemis across the rink. We both simultaneously nod and ignore the entire game as we power skate in his direction. Every now and then a lesson needs to be taught. Our team is a family and you don’t fuck with our family.
And if someone chooses to, you go to war for them.
