Chapter 7
DASH
It turns out we do not talk about books at the next practice because the next practice is actually a scrimmage. In fact, a huge freaking deal scrimmage. Caleb did tell me it was a whole thing, but he did not adequately prepare me.
At least I have a roommate who warned me it might be crowded. Which turns out to be like saying Harvey Fierstein might be gay.
I’m late. It’s almost game time as I fight my way through the mob. Fortunately, students get in free, and the special line where you just have to show your ID is moving way faster than any of the paid ticket windows the general public has to use.
The Stags are playing against Holy Heart, the small liberal arts college that’s just fifteen minutes away. And, I mean, I knew there was a historical rivalry between the two schools. But this is insanity.
I weave my way through the lobby and into the arena.
It’s so packed, I’m not sure everyone in line right now is actually going to make it in.
There’s music playing and the players are skating around on the ice, warming up, I guess.
Everyone here for the game is hyped up, loud, and dressed in team colors from both sides, all mixed together in the stands.
Not sure whose decision that seating plan was.
I guess it makes sense since the U and Holy Heart are both local schools.
This is definitely a regional event, and judging by what I’m seeing all around me, people have strong opinions one way or the other. This ought to be interesting.
I look around, like maybe I’m going to spot Caleb, but there are thousands of people here. We should have made more of a plan besides Caleb’s “I’ll see you there.”
That or I should have just asked for his phone number like I wanted to. But he didn’t offer, so I didn’t ask, and now here we are.
What I really should have done is show up early, like I said I would. I see now why he suggested that. I sigh. Okay, well, I guess my best bet is to check our usual seats, even though I would’ve thought he’d want to be closer to the action for—
“Dash!”
I stop just a few rows up the stairs and turn to see Caleb waving frantically from the section below where I came in.
I go down and squeeze past the people already sitting in the row to sit beside Caleb.
“Hey,” he says when I make it to him. “I stayed near your usual entrance so I could watch for you.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. If I had realized it was going to be like this, I would have ducked out of my Spanish study group earlier.”
“No worries, I’m just glad you’re here.” He smiles at me with such genuine excitement, I can’t help but feel the same way. I’m not sure how much of his joy (if any) is for me and how much is for the game, but either way, it’s infectious.
My eyes flick down to his lap, where he’s holding the most comically oversized popcorn bucket I’ve ever seen. “Hungry?”
He blushes. “Oh, no. I mean, I thought we could share?”
I grab a handful and pop a kernel into my mouth. “Thanks, that was nice of you. Want me to go grab some drinks?”
He blushes more. “Well, actually, I…” He hands me the popcorn and reaches below his seat, producing two large drinks. “Coke or Sprite? I didn’t know what you’d like. I hope one of those is okay.”
“Thanks. You really didn’t have to do that. I’ll take whichever one you don’t want.”
He bites his lip before handing me the Coke. My God, if he’s not interested in being more than just hockey buddies, he really has to stop being so sweet and adorable. I can’t stand it.
“So, how long have you been here?” I take a sip of my soda.
“Not long. Maybe an hour and a half?”
I cough as the soda goes down the wrong way. “God, I’m sorry. I should have been here sooner.”
“It’s totally fine. I’m just excited for the game.”
At that moment, several people jostle their way into our row.
An enormously pregnant woman apologizes her way past us as we stand to let her through.
She sits on the other side of Caleb, just as a guy the size of a refrigerator takes the seat next to me.
The result is that Caleb and I are pushed against each other, our arms pressing together shoulder to wrist on the armrest. I don’t mind at all.
And if he does, he certainly doesn’t show it.
Caleb’s gaze shifts over my shoulder, and I turn to see the guy next to me putting on one of the Stag antler headbands they’ve clearly been selling in mass quantities.
Caleb and I exchange a look, and both roll our lips to keep from laughing. Pretty funny to see such a mountain of manliness wearing one of those things, but Caleb and I seem to be in agreement it’s best to keep that thought to ourselves.
A horn blares, and the teams skate off the ice.
“Going to start soon,” Caleb says.
I rock my shoulder against his in response. This is definitely not where I imagined spending my first weekend at college, but with this boy? I am here for it.
Then the announcer comes on over the PA. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the visiting Holy Heart Pine Martens!”
The crowd goes wild. I look at Caleb. “I’m sorry, the Holy Heart, what?”
He shrugs. “It’s like this cute little furry thing? Like a weasel?”
“That doesn’t seem like a fair match. Wouldn’t a stag, like, destroy something like that?”
The pregnant woman on the other side of Caleb leans forward. “We will bury you, Stag hags.”
I hold my hands up in surrender, and Caleb and I share another barely suppressed laugh.
The announcer introduces the starting lineup one at a time as they skate back out. Each player appears in turn on the big screen above the ice.
“And playing center and team captain for the Pine Martens, number 19, junior Luke Morgan.”
“Whoa,” I say. Because Luke Morgan justifies the over-the-top hot lead described in every MM hockey romance.
“Yeah,” says Caleb beside me, and I nudge his shoulder again. He gives me a shy smile that makes me forget all about the athletes on the ice.
After that, the Green Mountain Stags come out. I cheer extra loud when Gavin is introduced.
We rise while some local musician sings the national anthem, and then the game is underway. Fortunately, I have attended enough practices to have a tiny clue what’s going on. The announcer kind of helps, except half the time it’s like he’s speaking in code.
“Holy Heart’s number 12, left wing, dekes to his right and now he’s got room to pass!”
Good thing I have my own personal translator.
“Um…”
“It’s like a fake-out,” Caleb says.
The guy on my left gives me a funny look, but hey, I’m still learning.
Halfway through the first period, there’s still no score.
I’m surprised because even though both Caleb and Gavin told me both schools are Division I (whatever that means exactly), I also know Green Mountain is an absolute force in college hockey.
Holy Heart is definitely the underdog in this matchup, but they’re holding their own, at least so far.
Holy Heart’s hot center, Luke Morgan, gets the puck and immediately fires a shot straight for the goal, but Gavin darts out of nowhere to block it, like he read the guy’s mind.
Morgan gives Gavin a nod of acknowledgment.
“Impressive deflection by Gavin West,” says the announcer, “and respect shown there from the opposing captain. You gotta appreciate that.”
“No, I don’t,” some guy yells from the stands. “Fuck you, Puck U!”
There’s a rousing round of agreement from Holy Heart fans.
Holy shit, this is exciting. I turn to Caleb. “Are live games always like this?”
“I… Um... “ He rubs the back of his neck. “This is actually the first game I’ve come to.”
“Oh. Huh. I’m surprised.”
“Yeah, no, I mean... I didn’t really do sporting events in high school, and.
.. I don’t know. It seemed weird to go out of my way just to get to a college or pro game.
” He lets out a little half-laugh. “I definitely didn’t want to explain to my parents why I was suddenly interested in sports after years of absolutely not fitting the profile.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve seen plenty of games online or on TV, but… ”
“No, I get it. That’s cool,” I give him a crooked smile. “So I guess we’re having our first time together.”
Caleb turns absolutely beet-red and turns to face the game. “I guess so.”
Behind him, our pregnant friend gives me a painfully encouraging smile. Like she can’t get over how cute we are. I wonder if she knows about MM hockey romance?
Suddenly, the crowd goes nuts. I guess I missed something. Caleb cups his hands to his mouth. “Woo! Go, Stags!!”
I can’t say I’m sorry I was paying attention to him instead of the game.