CHAPTER 6 DATE DAY #4
A cute furrow formed between her eyebrows as she concentrated on her paper.
There was determination written on her face, almost like she could change the world with her words.
I was sure she could. In the little I had learned 99 of her, she was wicked smart.
Aife’s passion was also prominent in all she did.
It made her all the more beautiful, which was dangerous for me.
Relationships had to be off the table. Not only had I made a promise, I wasn’t ready to be with someone again.
“You’re staring.” Her words pulled me back into the living room. “Is there something on my face?”
“No.”
She raised a brow at me. “Okay.” The word was drawn out but not harsh.
I watched her work for a few more minutes,
studying the way her fingers flew across the keyboard and the way her nose scrunched up when she seemingly got stuck.
She was so cute. Her shoulders hunched as she slammed on the keys.
Despite myself, I could feel my attraction to her growing.
Aife was all the things I had once claimed to want in a woman: smart, kind, passionate, athletic, and beautiful.
It would be impossible not to be attracted to her, but it was a dangerous game I was playing.
I bit my lip, swiping a hand through my hair.
“What’s your dissertation about?” I asked, breaking the monotonous silence.
“The inequity and health disparities women face in the U.S. healthcare system and how having access to comprehensive resources and therapies can improve those discrepancies.” It was so matter of fact it actually caused me to reel back.
“Fuck.” I was shocked. I didn’t know what I was expecting her paper to be about, but it wasn’t that. “You sound like you have personal experience.”
She peered over her laptop at me. “I’m a woman,
and shockingly, I have been to the doctor.”
“That’s not what I meant, Aife.” I held my hands up, hoping to convey my intent.
“You haven’t unlocked that level of friendship yet.” Shaking my head, I snorted. “One day then. Hey?”
“Yes?” Her eyes zeroed back in on her screen. She was more focused on her laptop, but she was still giving me some of her attention. I’d take it.
“Come to my game tonight? Davis is going.”
“Alright, I’ll be there.”
“On one condition.” I locked eyes with her. “Wear my jersey.”
Aife clicked her tongue. “Deal. Now go away so I can work.”
Nerves wracked my body in a way they never did.
I’d been playing professional hockey for seven years; I rarely, if ever, got nervous.
This probably had something to do with the little spitfire that had agreed on coming to my 101 game.
My brain demanded that I show off for her which was also unlike me.
I wasn’t a theatrical player. I had a role, and I performed it.
Yet, Aife made me want to toss all my norms out the window if it meant her screaming my name in some capacity.
Melody hadn’t done that, and if I had more energy, I’d likely examine it.
Zeke poked my shoulder, lathering deodorant onto his armpit. His goalie gear made him sweat more than the average player. “What’s going on with you, man? Where’s Mr. Calm, Cool, and Collected?”
“Enamored by a woman,” Chris said as he laced up his skates. He eyed me intensely. “He’s got the look in his eye like he needs to impress someone.”
I stared at my captain, hating his ability to read people. He was a natural pest like Zeke, and it showed in the way Chris analyzed everything. He had an innate talent for getting under people’s skin which could be good or bad. Today, it felt bad.
“That’s… not…” I trailed off.
“Eh, lie to Zeke and me all you want, but don’t deny it to yourself or me. There’s a hot chick in the stands that you wanna impress. Happens to us all.” Chris looked up at me and smirked. His eyes twinkled like he knew a secret I didn’t.
My goalie glared at me, clearly a little hurt that I wasn’t talking to him about my feelings. “Aife?”
“Fuck. Am I really that obvious?” I pulled my gloves on and grabbed my stick. Zeke followed suit.
“Basically from the moment we met her,” Zeke said, throwing on his knee pads.
Shaking my head, I followed my team out onto the ice.
We were playing Toronto, and I was desperate to win.
One, because I wanted to show off for Aife.
Two, because I was insanely competitive and treated every game like the Stanley Cup.
Tonight, I was out for blood or, at least, some solid goals.
I had a girl to impress whether I wanted to admit that aloud or not, I could at least say it to myself.
We took our positions on the ice, and I quickly scanned the seats for Aife and Davis.
They sat front row, near our bench. She looked stunning in my jersey, and I could definitely get used to seeing her like that.
Focusing back on the game, I popped my neck and waited for the whistle. Scowl on. Let the game begin.
The whistle sounded and fire seemed to enter my veins.
This was a game that I knew we were going to win.
The Chaos Coliseum was chaotic with energy.
The air felt electric, like the slightest movement would ignite the crowd.
I loved it; I thrived on it. Fuck, I craved it.
Hockey demanded this kind of fanatical energy and attitude.
Tonight, it just seemed to be off the charts, and it felt amazing.