Chapter 6
Rowan
The midday games were always the best. It was when the crowd was electrified and the young kids came out to the game to watch their heroes.
It was these games where the dreams of making it to the big leagues were made.
Kids could see themselves out there on the ice and dream of the day when they could join the League of Ice Kings.
It might just be the pre-season, but it seemed like everyone had come out to show support for the team or to check out our new coach.
He hadn’t made any elaborate changes in the few weeks that he had been with the program, just enough that he was making his mark.
I still had a job, and according to Even, Coach was a great guy. I steered clear of him.
There were so many kids standing at the glass, pounding on it as I skated around. The announcer’s voice boomed through the arena, going on about who I was and why I was there.
“Ladies and gentlemen, alphas and omegas, Port City Badgers’ own Benny the Badger is here with a special surprise for you all!” Les, the announcer’s, voice echoed in the open air.
For anyone who had attended games in the past, the surprise really wasn’t much of a surprise at all.
In a little bit, they would have me do a few tricks on the ice.
It was something that would get the kids all excited.
Thanks to some of the training I’d done in the off season, I had a few new tricks up my sleeve from last year.
I’d spent quite a bit of time training with a professional figure skater.
Now I could do a few different jumps and twists.
I loved these moments when my blades slid across the ice and the crowd roared.
I may not have been a player, but I was part of the organization.
People enjoyed the entertainment I provided, even though they had no idea who I was under the mask.
I was here, and they were chanting my name.
Well… my character’s name. That was all I really wanted, to be a part of something. To belong.
Now I had it.
I hoped like hell it wasn’t taken away from me.
The announcer went on about how the crowd could get more involved in the game and how they could get themselves on the Jumbotron and letting them know they needed to keep an eye out for me, because after I was done on the ice, I would have to go to the stands.
That was honestly one of my favorite parts of the night, when I got to walk through the stands and up on the concourse, taking pictures with the kids.
Sometimes I wondered how many pictures of me were framed in people’s houses or shared on their social media.
More than I could count. At least with the mascot outfit, I knew I never took a bad picture.
Being on the concourse, that was when the real silliness came out. When I could give hugs and pass out little trinkets, and the kids’ eyes would light up like I’d just gifted them the world.
Was Reid watching? I really hoped that he was, for reasons I didn’t understand and refused to spend any time thinking about.
I took a deep breath as I pushed myself a little faster on the ice.
It was time for my big finale, where I would launch into a jump, do a little spin that would go faster and faster, until I ended in duck pose.
Later in the evening, we would have a little competition with some kids to see who could stay in the duck pose for the longest amount of time.
I, of course, would fall on my butt several times and make a big show of it.
I caught Reid’s gaze as I sailed past the team.
My breath caught. His gaze was as piercing as ever.
Was he impressed by what he saw? Or did he see my mascot skills as something frivolous and unnecessary?
That thought brought me down. I think that was why, when I went into my jump, I somehow managed to be on the wrong foot, I couldn’t get the momentum I needed, and instead of twirling out into a spin, I fell spectacularly.
The crowd let out a loud “ooh,” and Les, who was prepared for any of my antics on the ice, was able to keep the banter going.
“Looks like Benny was trying to pull out the fancy stuff tonight. How’d that work out for you, Benny?”
Thankfully, all parts of my costume stayed on. My ass hurt something awful, but not bad enough that I needed medical attention. Instead, I had to play it off like I had done it on purpose.
Whoever was in the sound booth that night did the great job of playing the ridiculous sound effects that reminded me of the old timey cartoons. I put my paws to my cheeks and shook my head, covering my eyes in dismay. One of the refs skated past me.
“You all right?” he asked.
I gave a subtle nod, then hopped to my feet.
I pretended to sway and slip, making an elaborate show like I was going to fall over again.
Then I stood still and put both hands in the air in a thumbs-up gesture, and the crowd went wild.
I covered my face with my hands again, making an exaggerated shake of my head, and skated toward the edge of the ice.
The show was over, at least for now. I’d have to come back out later between periods.
Reid was there, opening the gate so I could get off the ice without having to climb over the boards. I managed to stay in character, even though my ass and thighs were aching. I was going to feel this for the rest of the night, probably tomorrow too.
“You good?”
I nodded. I couldn’t speak in my uniform, and I knew if I did, I’d get in big trouble. I actually didn’t know what would happen, but it was written in my contract that I couldn’t talk in costume.
I lifted my paw and gave an exaggerated wave to crowd, with a slight bow. A few kids who were close by waved from their seats. I would be out there to see them soon.
I didn’t pay attention to how the announcers closed out the segment.
Someone would go around with the t-shirt cannon and prizes would be raffled off to people in the crowd.
Meanwhile, I had to get my skates off and get ready to go through the crowd.
My hip ached where I had landed on it, and my thigh felt like maybe I’d pulled a muscle.
That would be fun to deal with. Tomorrow was going to be rough.
We had to travel, and I’d be stuck in a cramped plane seat for several hours.
The pain in my ass was nothing compared to the embarrassment I felt at having fallen in front of Reid.
I’d avoided the man for weeks, only for him to see me look like a clown in front of a crowd of people.
I rolled my shoulders back. I had work to do.
“You good?” Kier asked. He had his clipboard ready, along with a bag of items to hand out. He, and a few other handlers, would walk through the crowd with me and make sure no one caused any issues.
I nodded and gave a thumbs-up. The faster I got into the crowd, the faster I could watch Reid work.