Chapter Two
AUSTIN
That was quite a game. Nothing compares to the nights when everything falls into place like clockwork.
Every player on our team showed up at their best; we were all in the right place on the ice and prepared.
And more importantly we got the win. This season hasn’t started off as good as we hoped.
It’s still early, but last season ended with a difficult loss in the playoffs.
Making it that far was no easy feat, but somehow, we did.
We’re all hoping to be back in the playoffs this season, only with a different outcome this go round.
This win is a step in the right direction.
“How about those Bears?” my teammate Rico calls as soon as we enter to the locker room.
The room erupts with cheers and whistles. Our celebrating is interrupted by our coach. He’s ready to give one of his classic post-game lectures that usually takes longer than necessary.
“Here we go,” Nick says, under his breath.
I snort. “Did you expect anything different?”
He shakes his head. “Nope.”
We all pretend to pay attention to Coach Denton while I’m counting the seconds until I can hit the showers. After about fourteen and a half minutes, he wraps it up.
“That wasn’t terrible,” I say.
Nick rolls his eyes. “Yeah, more like a filling instead of a root canal.”
“Now, now—didn’t the wife talk to you about the attitude?”
“Fiancée,” he corrects me. “And yes, she did.”
I laugh. “That’s what I thought. She’s worked wonders with you.”
He scowls. “Joke all you want, but I promise I’ll repay the favor when you finally find a woman.”
“Ouch that hurt,” I reply.
“You know what I mean.”
I know exactly what he means, and he has a point.
I’ve been in a dating slump for a while now, but I think I’m finally realizing I’m ready to find someone I can see a future with, and this realization feels new for me.
In the past, I’ve dated some truly amazing women with all the core qualities anyone could want.
They were smart, attractive, kind women who checked all the right boxes—but something always felt missing.
I never really experienced that undeniable spark people talk about. Not just chemistry, but that deeper feeling where everything feels natural and exciting. I’ve always wanted the kind of connection where you want to learn everything about the other person and picture building a life together.
For a long time, I wondered if maybe that was unrealistic, but I’ve watched it happen with people in my life.
You can see the difference when someone meets the right person by the way they talk about them and how certain things just click into place.
I don’t think I’ve had that yet, but I know I won’t settle for anything less.
This is probably why dating has left me frustrated recently.
Maybe the surface-level chemistry isn’t enough anymore.
I’m at a point now where I want something more and I’d rather wait for the right connection.
“Hey, Austin?” Nick says, waving a hand in front of my face.
“Yeah,” I answer, blinking back into focus. “Sorry. Guess I zoned out for a second.”
He studies me, eyebrows raised with amusement. “I can see that.”
I shake my head and lean back against my locker, trying to clear the thoughts that pulled me away from the conversation. “Anyway, good game tonight,” I say quickly, shifting the conversation back to hockey before he can ask questions I don’t feel like answering.
Nick smirks, catching the obvious subject change but letting it slide. “Yeah. Now we just need to play like that another seventy-something times. Easy, right?”
I let out a laugh, the tension easing from my shoulders. “Exactly. No pressure or anything.”
The locker room buzzes around us with the familiar postgame energy. It’s loud with the sounds of equipment dropping onto the floor, showers running, and the guys all talking loud enough for everyone to hear.
Tonight was good. Not perfect, but good. There were fast shifts, smart plays, and the crowd was alive from the first second the puck dropped to the final buzzer. It was the kind of game that reminded me why I fell in love with hockey in the first place.
Nick grabs his bag and slings it over his shoulder. “You ready?”
“Yeah, I’ll be out in a minute.”
He nods and heads out to greet the eager crowd. The locker room is getting quieter, and it gives me a few minutes to myself. I take my time gathering up my stuff. This is one of those moments I’m in awe that I’m here.
As a kid, I used to stand in crowded arenas wearing someone else’s number on my back, hoping for the smallest interaction.
Those players seemed larger than life to me then, and now it’s all come full circle.
Now, people wait outside hoping to meet me.
I made it, accomplishing the goals I spent years chasing.
Everything I once dreamed about is now my reality.
Even after all this time, I’m not sure this feeling will ever completely sink in.
I finally head toward the tunnel where fans usually gather after games. Almost immediately I hear the excited voices, echoing off the walls.
“Hey, Austin. Great game tonight.”
“Number twenty. There he is--best defenseman in the league.”
“Can we get a picture?” someone calls.
“Sure,” I say. I hold my hand out to give a high five to a kid. “What’s up, man?”
I begin signing autographs and answering questions about the game.
“More games like tonight and the Bears will go all the way,” a man says.
“That’s the plan,” I tell him. “Thanks for being here.”
As I move down the line of fans, I catch up to Nick who is talking to his fiancée, Abby, and a few other people.
Just past them, I notice a gorgeous brunette woman leaning on a pair of crutches.
She's talking, and I can't help but notice how radiant she is.
It's more than her appearance--it's the energy she’s giving off.
Admittedly I stare at her for a few seconds. It’s difficult not to.
“Hey, Austin,” Abby calls.
“Hello to the future Mrs. Ellis.”
She beams. “Great game.”
“Thanks. We showed up tonight,” I say. “Even this guy didn’t do too bad.”
I pat Nick on the shoulder as he rolls his eyes.
“Although he still needs some work on his attitude,” I tell her. My eyes subtly move back over to the brunette on crutches.
She’s still chatting away. I’m guessing she isn’t much of a hockey fan, being that she hasn’t acknowledged any of my teammates.
I’ve learned how to spot them over the years.
There are people who make it their mission to meet and interact with the players.
This woman is oblivious, and that’s even more intriguing.
“Nick, Austin—meet the Martin family. They are new to our great city, and this is their first Bears game.”
I smile warmly at the group.
“This is Michelle, William, Sammy, Dane, and Isabella.” Ah, Isabella is the brunette I can’t seem to pull my eyes away from.
We all exchange greetings and handshakes. Of course I’m mostly eager to talk to Isabella.
“Crutches, huh?” I ask, making a face. “My condolences. I’ve been there before.”
“These things are for the birds,” she says boldly. “It’s been weeks, and I still can’t find a rhythm.”
I grin, nodding. “The worst. How much longer do you have?”
She lets out a sigh. “Hopefully a week at most.”
“What happened?” I ask, eager to continue talking to her.
“I fell out of a lift, snapped my Achilles. And the rest is history.”
“A lift?”
“Yes, I’m a ballroom dancer. It was a rookie mistake for sure.”
A ballroom dancer? Wow. This just keeps getting better.
“These things happen unfortunately. It’s part of being athletes,” I say. I’m proud of myself for keeping my cool as I talk to her.
“Exactly,” she says.
“That was a great game,” another voice chimes in. “I just started getting into hockey a few years ago.”
“Dane, we’re in the middle of a conversation,” Isabella snaps.
He holds up his hand. “These guys are here to talk about their game and sign autographs, right?”
Oh, he’s asking me. I was still focusing on my conversation with this intriguing woman.
“Yes. And talk to fans.” I add.
“See,” Isabella says smugly. “Please excuse my brother. We’re working on his manners—it’s a lifelong project.”
I chuckle. “No worries, I have two brothers.”
“But do you have any sisters?” Dane asks.
I shake my head. “Nope.”
He holds up his hand to give me five and starts laughing. “I’m kidding. I love my little sis.”
She rolls her eyes. “By the way, it was an exciting game. I’ve never been to a hockey game before tonight.”
“Austin, can we get a photo?” a woman calls, interrupting our conversation.
As much as I want to continue talking to Isabella, I owe the fans my attention.
“Great meeting you,” Dane says.
“And all of you,” I say. “I hope you all come out to more games.”
“We will,” he says.
“Bye, Austin,” Isabella says, holding up her hand.
“Bye, take care of that foot,” I tell her.
She smiles. “I will.”
Other fans begin crowding around as Isabella and her family leave.
Hmm…well hopefully I’ll see them again. It’s always nice to meet new friends.
And I could get used to seeing Isabella around more often.