Chapter 7
CASH
It had been over a week since he had run into Evie on his way to work. He was surprised that she had missed his note, but he was even more surprised that she hadn't texted him yet. They'd had such a connection. He thought for sure that she would text him.
He didn't have too much time to focus on that right now. Right now, they were in a playoff run and that had all his focus. He was home trying to get to bed early for an early flight to Florida in the morning. They were in a tied-up series and things were tense since they had cost them their best player when Blake Kelly took out Wes for the season. They'd had a real shot at the playoffs until that happened.
Cash had just gotten out of his shower when his phone rang. He stupid heart jumped every time it rang hoping it was her, but it never was. This time it was his sister.
"Hey Meadow, what’s up?" he asked as he wrapped a towel around his waist.
Yes, her name was Meadow. They had been raised by a hippie mother who kept them on the road living in a camper van for most of his young childhood. Cash was happy when they settled down and got to go to school, but his sister was a free spirit like his mother. He adored both of them, but they were very different people. It had just been the three of them most of the time. His dad was a touring guitarist for a band. He was around from time to time, but never stayed.
Although all of that seemed to change after Meadow had her son. In the seventeen years since she’d had River, she had gone from this free-spirit, Coachella-going, whirlwind of a person to getting her degree and working as a dental hygienist. Cash didn’t care what she did as long as she and River were happy, and they both seemed to be. That was until River turned seventeen himself and got a bit of a rebellious streak.
"Just checking in,” she said. “I caught your game the other night. You had some great hits.”
"Thanks. How's River?"
She sighed "River is River. I just don't know what to do with him. I'm trying but he's a lot.”
"You were a lot at his age."
"I know, but it's different. I never talked to mom the way he talks to me. I just wish he had a better male role model in his life."
He sighed. He knew she had been having trouble with him, but he kept hoping River would snap out of it.
"I’ll come and spend a few weeks in the off season."
"That would be amazing. We miss you."
"How's mom? I haven't talked to her in a couple weeks."
"She's good. Still dating Tom and he seems to be a good one."
"Nice. Well, I gotta head into the center. We have practice in a bit. Was there something else you needed?"
There was a long pause. "No. I just wanted to say good luck. I'll be watching."
After he hung up, he started pulling on some shorts to head in. He could tell something else was up, but she didn't want to bother him with it right now. If it wasn't playoffs, he would have pushed to find out what she needed, but right now his head needed to be in the game. He wanted that cup. He had been so close when he played in Canada, but they lost in game seven before the finals. Conner had always been the hungriest for the cup, but with everything that is going down with Sasha, he was distracted. So being assistant captain, Cash was stepping up and keeping his team motivated. It was a stretch after what Blake Kelly had done to Wes in Florida, but he wasn't ready to call it yet. As long as they were still on the ice, they were still in contention. They had won their first game last night against Florida, but they had many more to go.
They were on the plane when his phone dinged.
unknown number - I watched your game last night. You did a good job. I hope you play well tonight.
He shook his head a little, trying not to hope too hard that this was from whom he hoped it was from. Though she hadn’t called him, she hadn’t left his thoughts. In fact, if it weren't for the playoffs, he would’ve tracked her down already. He had never felt like this about someone before. There was something about her he just couldn't get enough of.
Cash - Is this who I think it is?
Evie - It's Evie. I just wanted to say good luck in Florida.
Cash - Thank you. I appreciate that.
He waited for more, but nothing else came.
Cash - I'm glad you finally texted me. Now I can tell you how much fun I had with you.
Still nothing. It shouldn’t make him want her more, but damn it did.
Cash - Can I take you out when playoffs are over?
Evie - We’ll be working together at the rink this summer, I'm not sure if it's a good idea.
Cash - You're working the hockey workshop?
Evie - No, I will be leading the figure skating camp on the other rink.
Cash - Ok, well I look forward to seeing you...I really like seeing you.
Evie - Good luck tonight, Cash
Cash - Thank you
Even though he hoped, she didn’t respond. He was going to have to work for her. That fact made her even more irresistible to him. He hadn't been this hung up on a woman in a really long time. Normally after the game, he would find a hookup for that night. That’s how he worked; no-strings hookups all over the country. But he hadn't even thought about seeking out another woman since he'd been with Evie. If that wasn’t a sign, he didn’t know what was, but he would take his time. He could tell she wasn't the type of woman who liked to be rushed, so he wouldn’t rush her, but he would be there the second she decided she was ready.
Later that night he was sitting on the bench in the dressing room dripping in sweat. They were at the second intermission and right now the score was 1-2. They needed this win.
“Watch Malone for blue line slap shots.” Taylor said as he sat down next to him. “When they have a lead, he usually starts pulling those.” Cash nodded and took another drink of water. “And their second line seems to be drifting to the left side instead of playing center.” Cash just nodded, taking another drink of water.
Taylor was a hockey machine. He had more hockey sense than all the coaches and other players of the Magic put together. Cash and Taylor had been playing together for three years and Taylor always knew his next move. He knew the next move of everyone on the ice.
His tip about the second line leaving the center lane open did get Cash a third period goal, but they still lost. One last game in, if they lost that, they were out. If they won, they had to win the next two to advance to the next round.
He was on his way out to the bus after the game feeling the loss. No one on this team liked to lose. He was happy to be sitting next to Taylor. Taylor was autistic. His ability to know where the puck was and where it would be was amazing, but when the games were over, he crashed. So he was already on the bus with his noise cancelling headphones, blindfold and weighted blanket. It worked out well for Cash, because he didn’t want to talk to a soul after that loss.
But that being said, as he sat down his phone vibrated in his pocket.
Evie - Tough loss, but your last goal was pretty good
So maybe he wouldn’t mind talking to one soul in particular.
Cash - You liked that?
Evie - Don’t make this weird.
Cash - I wouldn’t dream of it. Go out with me this weekend.
Evie - Goodnight Cash
Cash - Goodnight Evie
He slid his phone back into his pocket and laid his head back on the bus seat. He sighed contentedly, that game sucked, but she managed to make it a little bit better. The bus pulled out of the arena as they made their way back to the hotel for the night. The next morning, they would be flying back to New York, and he was ready to be back in the same state as Evie. It had only been a little over a week, but he was excited to see her again.