6. Kim
6
KIM
Kim
T here’s a certain kind of energy in the air today, and I can’t explain it. All of us are practically buzzing. It’s almost hard to focus on our dance routine.
It’s our last practice before the next Stanley Cup Finals game- what I think will be the final game of the season. It’ll be the fifth game of the series, but with the Wolverines up three to one, I think everyone knows it’ll be the last. And it’s taking place here, at the Capital One arena, which I think is contributing to the excitement we’re all feeling.
In twenty-four hours, it’ll probably all be over. I don’t think that’s fully settled in yet. It’s just a job, and it didn’t even really pay that well. But it was more than that for me. I stepped out of my comfort zone and made a lot of new friends, ones that I think will last a long time.
And who knows, maybe I’ll be invited back for next season. So maybe it isn’t really the end after all. I’m lucky hockey season runs so long as it is.
The music cuts off and we all stop moving. Natasha’s voice rings out across the rink.
“Okay ladies, we need to focus! This is our most complicated routine yet, and we need to execute it perfectly! Tomorrow is going to be a huge night, and we can’t have any mistakes happen. Let’s show our boys how much we support them!”
The music starts up again, and we continue the routine. I do my best to keep my brain focused on this one thing. To think about each move, each flip, each twirl. It takes every ounce of willpower I have, but I do it.
When the song ends, Natasha claps. “Okay, again!”
She’s making us practice more than usual, which leads me to think that she’s nervous. It’s starting to make me nervous too. We’ve gone the entire season without any major fuck ups during any of the games, but what if we actually mess this up?
As I sweep across the ice, landing perfectly after a double spin, my eyes find their way to the doorway where he usually stands. I’m shocked when I don’t see him. Instead, I see another player nearby.
Odd .
Matthew has never watched us during practice before, at least not that I’ve seen. And Sam is here almost every time, at least for a few minutes.
After a few more times, Natasha finally lets us rest.
“I’ll see all of you tomorrow bright and early, we’ll be helping with set up for the game. I suggest you all get a good night’s sleep and eat lots of protein. You’re going to need your energy; it’s going to be a long one.”
“Bye Natasha!” a few of us call out, waving to her.
She’s been an amazing choreographer, and I’ll truly never forget everything she’s taught me. I just hope that if I get to be here next season, she’s here as well. It’s been an honor to dance her routines.
“Are you nervous?” Alexi asks as we catch our breath.
I nod. “Actually yeah, a little. Is that weird?”
She shakes her head. “Not at all. I’m nervous too. I think I’ll cry if they don’t win tomorrow.”
“Oh, they’ll win,” Brandi says, joining our conversation. “With Sam on the team? They’re almost undefeated this season because of him.”
“Yeah, almost being the keyword there. What if they have another night like they did in Boston?”
Brandi rolls her eyes. “They won’t. I watched them at practice earlier, and trust me, they’re locked in.”
“Watching them at practice, huh? Does Miss Brandi have a little crush?” Alexi teases her.
Brandi grins but waves her off. “Absolutely not. I just like getting the inside scoop.”
“Mhmm, I bet,” Alexi adds as Brandi walks away.
Alexi laughs, but I, on the other hand, do not find it funny. For some reason, my mind instantly goes to Sam, and the way he watches our practices.
I watch Brandi walking away, tossing her long black hair over her shoulder. Is she seeing him? Is that why he watches?
“Hey, you okay?”
I let my eyes leave Brandi and turn to Alexi, who’s looking at me with a raised brow.
“Huh? Yeah, I’m fine, why do you ask?”
“You looked like you were gonna be sick there for a second.”
“Oh, I think I’m just tired. Today’s practice was a lot.”
“It really was. I can’t wait to crash tonight. But does that mean you’re not up for one more after practice dinner? I think we’re all supposed to go to that new Italian place down the street.”
My mouth opens, ready to say no. Italian means it’s most likely expensive.
“No, I can come,” I find myself saying. It’s the last practice of the season, and these girls have been an amazing support for months now. I can splurge just this once.
“Okay good, let’s go get cleaned up.”
I follow her out of the rink and out into the hall. In the locker room, we clean up and get changed. I finish before her and head down the hall to get a water from the vending machine.
“You looked good out there today,” a voice says.
I turn towards the voice and spot Matthew leaning against the wall next to the vending machine, sipping a Gatorade.
I give him a small smile. “Oh yeah? I was surprised to see you watching.”
I haven’t really spoken to any of the guys on the team that much. I don’t usually go to their parties, so the opportunities are pretty slim for me.
“Why’s that?”
I shrug. “I’ve just never seen you watching us before.”
“Doesn’t mean I wasn’t there.”
I arch a brow. “Oh?”
He grins, before gesturing to the machine. “What you want? I’ll get it for you.”
“Wow, I didn’t know you part timed as the vending machine attendant.”
He lets out a small laugh. “Hey, I’ve got bills to pay just like everyone else.”
I point to a Fiji water on the top shelf. He pulls out his wallet and inserts a bill into the machine.
“Are you nervous for tomorrow’s game?” I ask.
He hands me the water bottle, and I’m careful not to touch his hand as I take it.
“No, I don’t get nervous for games. Nerves are a death sentence. Besides, what do I have to be nervous about in the first place?”
I nod, trying to be friendly even though he’s acting cocky as fuck. “I guess that’s good then.”
“So, you got a boyfriend?” he asks, changing the subject.
I debate lying, but I’m a terrible liar, so I decide on the truth. “No, I don’t. I’m trying to be alone for a while.”
“A pretty girl like you, all alone? Come on, that’s a crime.”
“A crime against who?”
“Everyone,” he replies. “Is that why you never come to our parties?”
I purse my lips. “No, I just like to stay focused, and partying doesn’t really allow for that. I don’t know how you guys do it.”
“Practice,” he says with a smirk.
I watch as his eyes drop down, stopping at my chest and then slowly going lower. It makes me feel a little uncomfortable, but I keep myself planted in front of him, hoping Alexi will come out of the locker room soon.
“Damn, you really are beautiful. Especially when you’re out there dancing.”
“I appreciate that. I really love dancing.”
“You can tell. Or I can, at least. You get so into it. I’d love to see you dancing off the ice, too.”
I nod, glancing around the hall. If I were into the guy, this would probably all be okay. But he’s just really not my type, and he kinda gives me the creeps. I try to change the subject.
“So what are you still doing here?” I ask.
“I wanted to get in an extra workout after practice. I got distracted by the music and thought I’d take a peek.”
I start to respond, but the look on Matthew’s face stops me. He almost looks scared as he turns his attention to something behind me. I follow his gaze to see Sam approaching.
Sam looks pissed. His long black hair is messy, but in a sexy way. His dark eyes are trained on Matthew with a look of pure rage.
By the time I look back, Matthew has turned around and is walking away. I can’t help but laugh a little.
“Wow, you made the guy run without a word. Maybe you should be a little nicer to him. Nobody likes a bully.”
Sam's grey eyes bore into mine, the intensity making my smile fade away. “I’ll do whatever the fuck I want,” he answers. And fuck, why did the way he say that sound sexy?
“Kim, are you ready?”
I stare at him for a moment longer, almost feeling like I’m stuck here, unable to look away. There’s a pull…one that makes me want to inch closer to him and see if I’ll get burned. Now, I understand a moth to a flame.
Finally, I force myself to turn towards Alexi. “Yeah, coming.”
With one look back at Sam, I head down the hall.