Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
LYDIA
“You ready, sis?” Troy asks. “Big night for you.”
“She knows it’s a big night,” Angie’s voice rings out, tinny on the speaker phone in my tiny bathroom.
“I’m ready,” I tell them.
“And you have your outfit ready to go?” Angie asks.
“You know I do.”
It’s perfect. Every bit of this is perfect for my first walk-in as a Toronto Rosebud.
The light pink corset-style top is covered with bright pink embroidered roses. They spread over the entire front and over the sheer, short sleeves. Paired with a pair of wide-leg green pants, it’s just right for the first home game.
“I can’t wait to see it,” she tells me. “You know I’ll be looking at pictures during the Black Diamonds game tonight.”
“Hey!” Troy’s voice shouts. “You need to watch my game.”
“I’ll be lucky to watch ten minutes with how much this baby makes me have to pee,” she whines. “I don’t like you both playing on the same night. It’s harder to pay attention.”
“It’s okay,” I tell her. “You can watch Troy. Even if I’m the better player.”
“Ouch,” his voice comes over the line. “And on that note. I have to head out. Good luck, Lyd. Love you.”
“Love you guys.”
I end the call, smiling to myself at the two of them.
Troy has always been one of the most supportive people of me playing hockey.
My real dad? He was supportive until it became too much when I was a teenager.
I wish he showed more interest because…well, look at me now.
Helping launch a brand-new team in Toronto and hoping to make a name for myself here.
Grabbing my lip gloss, I swipe on one last coat before heading out. Music blares from the speakers when I turn the car on and make the short drive. I love the first game of the season. Playing at home against one of the new expansion teams allows us to show our city what we’re made of.
Seattle. I know a few of the women on the team. One of my old teammates from Boston is their newest defender.
Since I’m a winger, we’ll have plenty of time together on the ice. It’s going to be fun to see how the season plays out.
We’ve had a good few weeks of practice. The team is meshing well on and off the ice. Something that I think is made easier with a good coach.
Which Delaney is. I’m not surprised at all by it. She has the temperament and patience to go a long way in this league.
Pulling into the parking lot, I turn the car off and get ready for my first walk-in.
This is one of my favorite parts of the game. The energy walking in feels like a living, breathing thing. It helps me get hyped and in the right headspace.
“Good luck tonight, Ms. Bishop,” Larry, our security guard says to me as I walk by.
“Thanks. It’s going to be a good one tonight.”
“Hopefully in favor of the Rosebuds.”
“Fingers crossed.” I smile at him as I start the walk down the tunnel.
Flashbulbs are popping as I walk through the tunnel that leads toward the locker room. The press are calling out for me as I wave to them.
“Great look, Lydia. How do you feel about the first game tonight for the Rosebuds?”
“Thanks. I’m excited,” I tell the one reporter. I don’t recognize her yet. After a few games, I’ll know her. I like getting to know them. Having the press on your side makes things easier.
“Hey, Lyd. You look great!” Skylar calls out to me, waiting halfway down the tunnel.
I jog down to her. “Not as good as you. You look amazing.”
“Thanks.” She tucks a lock of curly, brown hair behind her ear.
In a tight leather skirt and an oversized, white flowy top, she looks stunning.
“You ready for the game tonight?” I link my arm through hers as we head toward the locker room.
“Yes. I need to get this nervous energy out. First game always sets the tone for the rest of the year.”
“We’ve got this.” Pushing open the door to the locker room, a few people are already here. Some are stretching. Others are doing yoga. Since it’s early, dinner sits in chafing dishes on the tables for all of us.
“I’m glad that we get to play at home. I can’t wait for our fans to see us play.”
“Me too.”
From what the team has told us, there was a high number of season tickets sold. Even more single game tickets for tonight. I want to show off what we’ve got to the city that’s done nothing but support us since day one.
“Hey, ladies,” Parker’s voice calls out to us as we grab some dinner.
“Hey. You ready, goalie?” Skylar bumps shoulders with her.
“You know it. Seattle won’t know what hit them.”
My jersey hangs in my locker. The green material has Rosebud patches on it—with a pink C patch on the left chest.
It was an honor to get voted captain by my teammates. I want to make them and my family proud.
Also on that jersey is my familiar number.
Twenty-two.
Derek’s old number.
It’s the only number I’ve ever worn. The same number Troy wears. I’m thankful I was able to get this same number here.
My nerves are bouncing around inside me as I change into my gear. It’s that antsy energy before a game when I can’t wait to get out onto the ice.
As everyone starts to filter into the locker room, I start the process of taping my stick. This time in a bright pink for the first game of the season.
By the time it’s taped to my liking, everyone else is ready to head out to the ice for warm-ups.
We’re greeted by fans cheering for us. Even though it’s a smaller arena, the stands are filled. They’re crowded around the glass as we do laps on our end, shooting pucks at the goal.
Excited fans are holding up signs. I wave to them as I do more laps before starting to stretch.
Seeing the little girls wearing Toronto jerseys makes me want to do them proud.
I wish there had been a league like this when I was their age.
I remember Derek taking us to watch the high school team play, but they didn’t have a women’s team.
Boos echo around the arena as Seattle’s team makes their entrance. The corner of my mouth tugs up into a smile. I know a lot of the women playing for the Sirens. Some of them I remember from my junior days.
As we continue our warm-ups, more and more people take their seats. Music fills the arena as Skylar and I pass the puck back and forth. Fans are chanting for the Rosebuds.
I fucking love it.
By the time we head back to the locker room for the Zamboni to clean the ice, it’s hard to wait for the game to finally start.
“Alright, everyone. Can I have your attention for a minute?” Delaney calls our attention to her. “The first game of the season is here. I know we’ve all been looking forward to it.”
The assistant coaches flank her. She looks impeccable in her suit.
“I’m proud of all the hard work you’ve been putting in during practice these last few weeks.
Seattle is a good team, but we have what it takes to go far.
” She glances to look at Nadia, who smiles back at her.
“But let’s take it one game at a time. Go out there and play the hockey that I know you can play. ”
“Rosebuds on three!” Bailey comes into the center of the room and we all follow suit. “One, two..”
“Rosebuds!”
The pregame announcements are a blur before I’m taking my position on the ice. The puck drops and our center grabs it with ease.
She sends it to Skylar, who passes it across the ice to me. Scooping it up, I fly down the ice before deking out the defender and shooting it to Skylar.
Dodging another defender, she sends it back to me before I send it toward the goal. Seattle’s goaltender blocks it off her stick, their defender grabbing the puck and taking off.
Our defenders are waiting for them as they enter their attacking zone. We’re chasing them down, but Parker is ready. She snatches the puck with her glove, stopping their first goal attempt.
The whistle blows, stopping the play.
“Way to go!” I shout to Parker.
Seattle wins the face-off, but our defenders are there. They pass the puck to Skylar who is moving toward our zone. I’m skate for skate with her.
She fires the puck at the goal. It ricochets off the bar, but I’m there to rebound it into the cradle of my stick and send it flying into the back of the net.
The horn blares and the crowd erupts.
“Yes!” I throw my arms up in the air as Skylar skates over to hug me.
“Way to go, babe. That was amazing.”
“All you,” I tell her, clapping her on the helmet.
“Nice one, Bishop.”
“First goal of the season.”
All the women are congratulating me as we skate back to the bench for the line change.
“Great job, Lydia,” Delaney tells me as I take my seat.
“Thanks, Coach.”
I don’t have to hide my grin from her. Shy away from her praise or attention. Because I’m fucking ecstatic.
First goal of the season? It feels good to have it under my belt so early in the first period. To not have the pressure on my shoulders to score.
The entire game is a battle. Seattle is good.
We’re better.
Parker is the star of the game, blocking and batting away every shot that comes her way. Skylar is able to put another goal on the board in the middle of the second period, and I finish it off in the third.
We seal the win, 3-0.
After shaking hands with the Sirens, I skate to where Parker is waiting.
“Shutout? You’re incredible!”
I wrap an arm around her as Skylar joins us.
“Parker White! You were amazing tonight. I’m so proud of you!”
A shutout to start the season? Shutouts are hard-won in this league. I couldn’t have asked for more.
“You two helped seal the win.”
“You did,” I fire back.
The three of us head back to the locker room with happy smiles on our faces.
The press is waiting for us for postgame interviews. It’s easy to answer the questions when we came out on top.
Questions answered, I hit the showers and get cleaned up. By the time I’m walking back into the locker room, Delaney is making the rounds, offering kind words to every player.
“Parker, great job out there tonight. You were on fire,” she tells her.
“Thanks, Coach.”
“And Lydia.” She turns to me, holding her hand out, eyes firmly focused on mine. “First goal of the season.”
I take what she gives me—the game puck.
“Thanks, Coach.” The way her fingers brush mine sends heat coursing through my body. I lock eyes with her, giving her an easy smile. “Hopefully the first of many.”
“Keep it up.”
She pulls her hand away, leaving nothing but goose bumps in her wake. Turning to my locker, I pull on my clothes as Delaney starts her postgame speech.
“That was a great team win! Great job, Parker, on shutting Seattle out. Not an easy thing to do. Way to start the season off on the right foot. Everyone looked good out there. Skating. Passing. It all looked great. There are a few things we can clean up, but we’re off to a promising start.
Montreal is coming up, and they have a good looking team.
Enjoy the first win tonight, and I’ll see you all tomorrow for practice. ”
Claps and cheers ring out as people start to head out.
“I’ll see you two tomorrow?” Skylar asks. “Brian is going to take me out to celebrate our game.”
“Sounds good. I’m going to call my parents on the way home,” I tell them.
“Glad I’m not alone in that,” Parker adds. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
They both head out together, leaving me alone in the locker room.
Me and Delaney.
“You looked good out there, Lydia,” she tells me.
She’s leaning against the doorjamb of the hall that leads to her office.
“Thanks. Felt good to get back on the ice.”
Smiling, Delaney walks over to me. “I haven’t seen you play in years. You’ve gotten better.”
“I should hope so.” I return her smile. “I love the game too much to not get better.”
“It’s noticeable. I love that you’re having fun out there.”
“Helps that I’m playing for a good coach.” I wink at her.
“You make my job easy.”
Grabbing my bag, I sling it over my shoulder. “I plan on keeping it that way, D.”
“Coach,” she retorts. “In here, I’m Coach.”
“Got it. And out there?” I nod my head toward the door.
“Delaney.”
“No nicknames, got it.”
Delaney takes a few steps back, putting distance between us. “Get a good night’s sleep. You’ll need it for practice tomorrow.”
“Got it. See you then, Coach.”
Because that’s all she’ll ever be to me.
My coach.
That’s it. Nothing more.