Chapter 14
Mia
Exhibition Hockey Game
The next morning, I replay the ending to yesterday’s “date” over and over in my head. After taking Scott and Katie to the swings, we hit one of the other food trucks for ice cream. Joey’s treat, so of course both Otto and I participated. You’d think after eating those decadent desserts earlier, that neither of us could eat an ounce of ice cream. But surprisingly we each managed to polish off a cone.
It was late when Otto brought me back to my car, neither one of us mentioning the interrupted kiss. He made sure I got safely into my vehicle. I waved as I drove away, feeling stuffed with sugary food but empty from a dissatisfying ending to a romantic outing.
Another almost kiss. Are we like two star crossed lovers whose lips are destined to never meet? Is the universe trying to tell us that we should remain colleagues and nothing more?
“Mia, you’re coming to the Stars exhibition game this evening, right?” Emma asks as soon as I wander into the kitchen in search of coffee. Emma doesn’t have to go to the bakery every day at the crack of dawn now that she’s hired a new prep baker to help in the morning.
Filling a mug from the pot on the counter, I say, “Yes, I wouldn’t miss it since Bailey and Levi are here for it.” I don’t mention that I’m excited to see Otto play. I haven’t been to many Golden Stars games and certainly not one since Otto and I started working on the fundraiser together. My eyes will be glued to number Twenty-one.
Bailey and Levi are in town because the Stars are holding a special ceremony for Levi prior to the game. He’s being recognized as the first Golden Star to be drafted into the NHL as the number one pick. Joining Emma at the table, I add, “Have you seen the happy couple yet?”
“Bailey stopped by the bakery yesterday and frosted several pans of cupcakes for me,” Emma says with a laugh.
Ever since Bailey left, Emma’s cupcakes look a tad bit sloppy. The frosting is never perfect like when Bailey did the cupcake icing. Both Emma and I have tried our hand at icing the tiny cakes, but we can’t seem to master it. Maybe the new prep person can get the hang of it.
“I forgot to ask. What’s the name of your new prep person?”
“Blake,” Emma says, keeping her eyes firmly on her mug.
“You should ask Bailey to teach her how to do the frosting,” I suggest.
“Teach him,” Emma replies.
I arch an eyebrow. “Blake’s a guy?” I assumed he was a she and named after the actress Blake Lively.
“Yep. He’s very qualified. He used to work at his folk’s bakery doing their prep every morning. Although, I’m not sure about his skills with frosting,” Emma says with a chuckle.
“Why did he move to Arcadia?”
“He’s a Golden Stars rookie.”
Sipping my coffee, silence hangs between us for several seconds. Emma is usually chattier than this in the morning. She seems to be preoccupied with something. “Will we see Blake play tonight?” I ask staring at my friend.
Is Emma blushing? Does she have a crush on this guy?
“Um, well, I’m not sure. He’s the backup goalie.”
I get an image of a wet-behind-the-ears freshman and wonder why Emma would have a crush on him.
“He’s from my hometown,” Emma says quietly.
“Really? Did you know him back in your hometown? Did you go to the same school?”
My friend sighs. “He’s my ex-boyfriend.”
The sip I just took spews out of my mouth. I cough as coffee sprays across the table. Leaping up, I grab a paper towel to clean up the mess. Staring at Emma I ask, “How old is this freshman?”
She nibbles on her lower lip, “He’s my age. Blake couldn’t afford to go to college until now, so you’d call him a nontraditional freshman, I guess.” With that, Emma hops up, carries her cup to the dishwasher, and disappears down the hall.
Wow! Now I’m really looking forward to this exhibition game and setting eyes on Blake. Obviously, there’s a lot that Emma isn’t telling me. It must be a juicy story since she didn’t spill the beans.
~*~
While I’m busy updating the fundraiser project spreadsheet, an email comes in that catches my eye and makes my heart race faster.
Subject: Tonight’s Golden Stars Exhibition Game
Dear Ms. Robinson,
Since we usually exchange emails focused on our joint project, I hope that this is not overstepping. A reliable source tells me that you will be attending tonight’s exhibition game to witness my mad hockey playing skills. Hopefully, scoring a goal will not be as elusive as scoring a kiss with you. Shall we try to break that streak this evening?
With Chapstick at the ready,
Otto
P.S. Floyd is disappointed that the VIP invitations were sent without his intervention.
The guy’s ego is as big as an iceberg. Funny how we never talked about any of our almost kisses, but discussing them in email is fine? Chuckling, I pen back a quick reply.
Subject: Tonight’s Golden Stars Exhibition Game
Dear Mr. Stagmeier,
Proper use of this communications channel is only for project-related updates; however, I will allow this one exception. Yes, your source is correct. I will be in attendance at tonight’s exhibition game. If our lips happen to meet afterwards, I will be pleasantly surprised.
With lip gloss at the ready,
Mia
P.S. Please inform Floyd he is retired from delivery service and needs to find another hobby.
Time to find a killer outfit that will knock Mr. Stagmeier’s socks off. Even if we have to lock ourselves in the janitor’s closet, I’m determined to finally get that first kiss tonight.
~*~
“Bailey!” Emma and I squeal as we embrace our friend in the hockey arena, clogging the aisle while performing our reunion ritual. We hug it out for a few beats, then pepper each other with questions as we take our seats.
“Are you letting your hair grow longer?” I ask.
“No scratchy sweater?” Emma teases referring to a situation last season where Bailey wore cashmere to a game and had to change after the second period. She’s never going to live that down.
Putting her hand up to stem the flow of questions, Bailey says, “Yes, I’m growing my hair longer. My husband likes it.” An adorable blush highlights her cheeks. “I will never, ever, ever, ever wear cashmere again, as you know.”
Her reference to the Taylor Swift lyrics reminds me how far my relationship with Otto has come. At first, I didn’t want anything to do with him and now I can’t wait for him to kiss me.
“I hear you’re dating Otto,” Bailey says with a teasing wink.
“Um, well, we haven’t put a label on our relationship. Technically, we’re co-leads on a fundraising project and nothing more,” I say.
Emma snorts. “Methinks the ladydothprotesttoo much,” she says while Bailey laughs. “Has he kissed you yet?”
“What! They haven’t kissed yet?” Bailey teases.
I groan. “We’ve come close a couple of times, but each time someone interrupted us.” I keep the little tidbit about making sure Otto and my lips meet tonight to myself, fearing that someone from our group might derail that effort.
The stadium announcer bellows over the loudspeaker, “Let’s get this party started!” Cow bells clang, shouts, clapping, and cheers erupt all around us, cutting off our conversation. A spotlight comes on, shining on center ice as Levi skates in wearing his Anaheim Ducks jersey. He takes a couple of loops around the ice, waving and pointing at everyone in the crowd. Bailey is grinning from ear-to-ear while Emma and I clap. Emma produces an impressive two-finger whistle as well.
A man carrying a microphone walks along a red carpet to center ice and Levi skates up beside him, shards of ice spraying off his skates when he stops. “As you know Levi Nyberg is Arcadia University’s first number one NHL pick!” Again, the crowd erupts, the noise so loud it makes my ears ring. It takes several minutes before it’s quiet enough for the announcer to continue. “On behalf of Arcadia University, I’d like to present Levi with this framed Golden Stars jersey!” Levi and the man both hold a side of the picture while a photographer captures the moment and the crowd claps wildly. A few tears trickle down Bailey’s face, her smile shining with pride. I’m so happy for Levi, he deserves this honor. Levi says a few words to the crowd, waves and skates off.
Some arena support folks roll up the red carpet and carry it off. The opposing team enters the ice to a barrage of boos and hisses from the crowd. Then the stadium announcer shouts, “Here’s your Golden Stars!” The Golden Stars players skate onto the ice as the stadium erupts with cheers. I hold my breath as I look for number Twenty-one. Otto moves so quickly around the rink. I have trouble keeping up with him. He skates to our side of the rink, pounds his stick on the plexiglass window, then points directly at me and puts his hand over his heart.
“He’s pointing at you, Mia!” Bailey screams.
My heart flips and I give Otto an embarrassed wave, knowing that every eye in the stadium is now on me. He tosses me a cocky grin and skates off.
“That was so romantic!” Emma shouts.
“Looks like you can put a label on your relationship now,” Bailey teases.
~*~
It’s the third period and the game is tied 1-1 with less than two minutes to go in regulation. There’s an air of excitement and anxiousness in the stadium, even though the outcome of this game doesn’t count.
Levi is sitting at the edge of his seat—he joined us after the framed jersey presentation. Bailey has one hand firmly clenched in Levi’s while chewing on a fingernail on her other hand. Emma is nervously twirling a strand of hair around her index finger. My left knee bounces up and down frantically as I hold my breath in anticipation.
Joey did a great job of keeping the puck out of the net, but the coach just pulled him and put in Blake. He’s a huge guy, his body plus pads nearly fills the entire opening of the net. Guess I was wrong about Emma not being attracted to a man with muscles, because Blake’s got plenty of them.
The ref brings the puck to a face-off circle after an offsides. Otto and an opposing player line up head-to-head for the face-off, their sticks at the ready. As soon as the ref drops the puck, Otto bats it quickly to a teammate. My jaw drops in awe at his excellent reflexes and timing.
“Did you see that?” Emma squeals, grabbing my arm.
Speechless, I merely nod and watch the action unfolding in front of us. The Golden Stars player with the puck streaks down the ice, then whips his stick and takes a shot on goal. The opposition goalie is ready and blocks the puck off his leg pad to one of their players who takes possession and slaps the puck to a teammate further down the ice.
“Ugh!” the crowd groans collectively at the missed score.
Blake positions himself in front of the Golden Stars goal, watching as the opposition moves the puck down the ice. One of our defensemen manages to steal the puck, sending it back towards the opposite goal. This back and forth continues for several seconds without anyone getting a decent shot on goal.
“I don’t know if I can take this suspense!” Bailey wails. Levi grins and puts his arm around her shoulder. His wife has become a zealous hockey fan in just over a season. Emma and I exchange tense looks, feeling the same way Bailey does. I glance at the clock and there’s only forty seconds remaining in the game.
There’s a mad scramble near center ice as a group of three players fight for control of the black disc. Otto emerges from the fray with the puck and skates towards the opposition’s goal. His movements are smooth and fluid. It’s as if the stick is an extension of his arm and the skates are part of his feet. He approaches the net, sliding the puck back and forth, from side to side, as if daring the goalie to figure out which side of the net he’s aiming for.
The goalie holds his position in the center of the net, not taking Otto’s bait. With a flip of his wrist, Otto sends the puck flying into the upper right-hand corner of the net, just over the goalie’s shoulder. The red light goes on and the scoring buzzer echoes around the stadium. Otto holds up his stick and his teammates swarm him, congratulating him for the score.
“That’s your man!” Emma yells while giving me a fist bump.
“What a wrist shot!” Levi screams as he sweeps Bailey into a hug, lifting her off her feet and giving her a sloppy kiss.
Pandemonium breaks out as the crowd leaps to their feet, cheering and shouting. People give each other high-fives as if this goal was their accomplishment. Shouts of “Stagmeier! Stagmeier! Stagmeier!” bounce off the concrete walls along with clanging of cow bells, plus thousands of hands clapping and feet stomping. The stadium vibrates from all the noise. This must be what an earthquake feels like. When play begins again, the crowd settles down.
With thirty seconds left, the other team pulls their goalie and attacks the Golden Stars goal in a power play. I hear Emma suck in a breath as Blake successfully blocks two successive shots on goal. I wince when he does the splits in front of the net. Ouch! How does he do that?
Buzzzzzzzzzz!
The buzzer goes off, ending the game. The Golden Stars are victorious 2-1. After another round of cheering over the victory, the crowd starts heading towards the exits, but our group holds back. We’re meeting Otto and Joey in the friends and family area after they shower and change. Then, we’re all going out to dinner together. Otto made a reservation at a popular pizza joint so we can celebrate Levi’s award and now we can also celebrate a Golden Stars victory.
“Is Blake coming to dinner with us?” I ask Emma while we wait in our seats as our section begins to empty.
She blushes. “No, I don’t think so.”
Huh? This is a curious development. Obviously, she didn’t invite him even though we’ve had this dinner planned for over a week. Too bad I didn’t know about Emma’s past with the rookie goalie. I would have asked Otto to invite his new teammate to our dinner. Then, I could see for myself how Emma and Blake interact. There’s a past there that Emma isn’t talking about and I’m curious to find out their story.
After most of the fans have left our seating section, we tromp our way down to the waiting area near the locker room. My palms sweat knowing I’m going to see the game hero in a few minutes. Am I brave enough to walk up to him and give him a kiss?