Prologue
Addie
Fourteen Years Old
“Girls don’t belong in goalie gear,” Dirk grumbles from beside me as we push in and out of a T drill.
I ignore his jabs and keep my eyes forward just like my Uncle Brooks taught me.
“Good job, Addie! Way to keep those eyes up,” Coach yells.
“Such a good girl,” Dirk says in a high pitched whisper, mocking me.
What he doesn’t understand is I live in a house with seven people. It’s constant chaos. I can tune anything out. And I’m not letting some prissy boy from New York who can’t even properly shuffle get to me.
“Shut up Dickhead,” JJ Hanson says from the other side of Dirk.
I ignore that too. Only twenty goalies nationwide got into this hockey camp.
I’m not allowing anyone to distract me from soaking up every second of it.
Of course I’m the only girl. I’m pretty used to that though.
I can deal with boys taunting me, I can deal with the sweet burn my thighs feel after hours on the ice running drills, I can even handle the lack of a real locker room at camp and the solo dorm they’ve put me in because apparently girls and boys can’t share locker rooms or bunks.
The only thing I can’t handle is not being on the ice. Is not making it onto Boston’s roster this year. And unfortunately JJ Hanson is the only other goalie here who will be going for that same spot.
That’s nothing new though. JJ and I have been skating proverbial circles around each other for years. Our parents are best friends and since we’re both goalies, they decided to combine forces and have us train together since we were both old enough to play.
“Good job guys, take a water break and then meet me at the net,” coach yells.
I leave the line and head for the bench.
I’ve just taken the first swig out of my water bottle when Dirk starts in again.
Dirk tosses his helmet onto the bench beside me and glances back at JJ. “Guess the rumors are true, Addison Langfield that good on her knees?”
I’m more bothered by the way he just treated his helmet than I am by his words so I’m not prepared when the kid is grabbed from behind, his body flailing almost violently backwards.
“The fuck did you just say?” JJ asks, right before pulling his own mask off and tossing it toward me.
Goddamnit these boys have no fucking sense. These helmets are to be respected. Idiots.
“Said she must be awfully good on her fucking knees since you’re always jumping in to protect her. Look at you, proving my point!” He looks to the other goalies for support, likely expecting a laugh but no one will even meet his eye.
He turns back to JJ with a cocky smirk, but JJ’s fist is already mid-air and it collides with his cheek in a loud crunch.
“Dammit JJ!” I growl as I yank him back by his jersey, pulling him away from Dirk who’s hand has gone to his face as he screams in shock. Stupid boys and stupid fights.
“He can’t talk to you like that!” JJ points at Dirk. “And her name is Adeline, dickhead.”
The kid spits blood onto the ice and shakes his head. “What the fuck do I care what her name is.”
“Because mark my words, Adeline Langfield is going to be a legend in the NHL. You should ask her for her autograph now.”
I roll my eyes and laugh, yanking JJ toward the ice.“He’s not worth it.” I hold his helmet out to him. “Come on Hanson, I need you in tip top shape.”
“You worried about me, Angles?” JJ says with a teasing glint in his unfairly beautiful blue eyes right before they disappear along with his dark wavy hair and pretty smile under his helmet.
I snort and pull mine down. “Nah, just don’t want you to complain when I beat your ass for top spot on the team that it only happened because you were defending my honor.”
He chuckles, grabs his stick and waits for me to do the same. “I’m not going to make it that easy.”
I grab the rest of my gear and follow him onto the ice.
“Two truths and a lie,” JJ mutters as we skate toward the nets that are set up for our next drill.
I nod, waiting for him to go ahead with this silly game we’ve played for years. I don’t even know who’s idea it was, but whenever one of us is spiraling out during practice or a game, we use it. It’s a way to focus in on what matters, which in the end is always hockey for the two of us.
“Dirk’s dick is the size of my thumb, I am going to kick your ass in this drill, and you’re going to be the best damn goalie the NHL has ever seen.”
I frown and hold up my thumb. “Dirk’s dick is this big?”
JJ spins quickly, spraying ice as he comes to a quick stop in front of me. “Nah, that’s the lie, it’s not even the size of my pinkie.”
I let out a loud laugh, all the anxiety waning from Dirk’s words. JJ’s entire face lights up with a grin and I take the opportunity to push past him, skating toward the net again. “Nah, I’m totally gonna kick your ass.”
He chuckles as he catches up to me and then we take slower strides right before reaching the spot where the coaches are setting up for the next drill. They didn’t even react to the punch being thrown or Dirk’s whining.
“Did you mean it?” I say, quieter as we skate side by side.
“That you’re going to make it to the NHL?”
I give a jerky nod.
“Yeah, Addie, you’re going to be a legend, I’m sure of it.”
He can’t see the smile that I hide behind my mask, but it’s effervescent. And I believe him. One day I’ll prove every one of those other assholes wrong and I can’t wait.