Chapter 34
H ENRY
I can hardly wipe the grin from off my face, even now as I lay on my hotel bed in the darkness.
My mind is buzzing with all the activity of the day. I can still feel the electric energy from the hockey game in my veins. I can still feel the warmth of Ellie's hand in mine as we watched the action unfolding. I can still feel the pleasure that flooded my body as her sweet lips responded to my kiss.
Ach , it was quite an unbelievable night!
I shift quietly in my bed, not wanting to make too much noise and wake Elijah.
“You awake?” Eli’s voice calls from the bed next to mine.
My plan didn't work so well after all.
I turn over, attempting to see Elijah across the nightstand in the near darkness. He seems to be lying in his bed staring at the ceiling.
“ Jah , I am awake. My mind is too busy to sleep.” As though my body is responding to the very word, I yawn.
Eli sighs. “Me too.”
It had certainly been an eventful night. After the game ended, we hung around and waited for the team to finish cleaning up. Jude eventually came out and greeted us all, excitedly receiving our congratulations at his excellent performance on the ice. We stayed to talk with him for a while longer before beginning the walk back to our hotel. It was nearly midnight by the time we made it to our rooms.
I wonder what time I will wake up the next morning. I am usually up before six o'clock, but I may sleep in since we are staying up so late tonight.
“Do you think we should set the alarm so we won’t miss practice with Jude?” I ask.
“ Nee , we’ll wake up in plenty of time. I’m used to getting up at four. We don’t have to be at the arena until nine. I think we’ll be fine.”
“Do you think Ellie and Ivy will want to go to a restaurant for breakfast in the morning before practice? Maybe we’ll be able to walk around the city a little bit afterwards and before our ride arrives in the afternoon.” I smile at the thought.
“That sounds like a good idea to me. We can play it by ear.”
Maybe Ellie will find something in a shop here in the city that I can buy for her. A souvenir to bring home and remind her of this trip. She would be so pleased with me. Maybe she would even reward me with another taste of her pretty lips... ach , I really need to stop thinking about her lips.
Ever since watching the game, Eli and I have been dying to get out on the ice to see how it feels to play on a real ice hockey rink instead of my pond.
Jude told us to come off the bench as soon as his teammates finish up their practice. It’s kind of weird seeing him playing with all these Englischers . I’m so used to him being one of us. Just a country boy out on the pond. But this? This feels really big.
Especially after seeing him plastered all over the screens at last night’s game. It’s unreal. It’s like we actually know someone famous.
And now we’ll get to play with that famous person. Jah , it’s a little strange.
Jude waves us over as the guys disappear off the ice rink.
Watching Jude practice with his teammates was fun, but practicing with Jude in the arena is a blast.
The ice is so smooth. Not to mention, we don’t have to worry about the puck sailing into a snowbank and getting lost.
As usual, both Jude and Eli are on fire. I can hardly keep up with them.
We play for a while, but my eyes can’t help but stray to Ellie. Oh, for the day when I can truly call her mine.
I sigh.
“Henry? You gonna play or stare at my schweschder all day?” Elijah's voice pulls me out of my half-conscious musings.
“What? Oh, jah .”
“Let’s take a break,” Jude suggests.
I skate off to the side where Ellie, Ivy, and Sage sit. Ellie hands me a water and her smile nearly knocks me off my feet. Or skates. “Having fun?”
“Oh, jah . It’s amazing.”
“Jude and Eli seem pretty serious out there. I don’t know about my brother, though.” Ivy teases.
“I can’t help it if I’m a little distracted.” I wink at Ellie. “It’s nearly impossible when the most beautiful woman in the world is watching me.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet of you, bruder .” Ivy laughs.
“I was talking about Ellie. But no offense to you two. You’re both pretty. She holds my heart, though.” I try to explain without hurting anyone’s feelings.
“That is sweet,” Sage interjects.
“I was teasing, Henry. We all knew exactly who you were referring to.” Ivy shakes her head. “Men.”
I turn and see Jude and Eli talking with the coach. They seem to be in a pretty tense conversation, so I take the opportunity and sit down next to Ellie. “Sorry if I’m all sweaty.”
Ellie shrugs. “It doesn’t bother me.”
“What time is it?”
Sage pulls out her cell phone. “Almost noon.”
“ Ach , we should probably get going if we want to grab a bite to eat and see a few sights before our driver comes.” I say. “I better go get Eli.”
I skate over to Jude, Eli, and Jude’s coach.
“Are you sure you won’t reconsider?” The coach eyes Eli.
Obviously, I’ve walked or skated in on something.
Eli glances my way, then shakes his head. “I’m sure.”
The coach nods, then walks toward his daughter.
I turn to Eli. “You ready to go? We need to head out soon if we’re going to eat lunch and walk around the city a little bit.”
Eli nods. “ Jah , I’m ready.”
Jude speaks up. “You guys can follow me to the showers. No need to make the ladies suffer the entire ride home, right?”
“Right.”