CHAPTER 14 #2
I saw our picture too, but was trying to brush it off.
One of the teens at the rink must have taken a picture of Sasha and I when he asked for a photo and posted it.
I had looked maybe a little proud, embarrassed with my sweatpants and red face, as I held him close.
I wasn't sure how it made me feel at first. But now my feelings were pretty clear.
I was pissed. My privacy meant more to me than most things after my father's death.
And that kid didn't even ask permission to post me.
But Sasha and I haven't even had the time to talk about it. I needed a bath instead.
And it was such a needed bath.
“No, I don't know what you mean.” I smiled back, unable to let back handed comments fly.
“Are you his girlfriend? This section is reserved for WAGS.” One of the flanking women spoke over the first's shoulder. Her tone was a little less controlled, almost barking at me.
Their annoyance with my presence seeped into me and Lucifer barked back. “We're just fucking.” I winked at her.
There were collective gasps from the three of them. The first blond shook her head at me like I had insulted her entire existence. All four turned around, grabbed their cellphones and I'm sure started to shit talk me immediately.
Well, you messed that up Lucy. I rolled my eyes at myself, now worried that Sasha would get shit from his teammates for insulting their wives. I howled, yes, but I was more of a lone wolf. I didn't see myself making it in their pack. That lifestyle made me nervous.
Moments later the national anthem was sung and the puck drop brought a certain undeniable electricity to the stadium.
It was exciting and fresh, violent and yet poetic.
There was stick handling I had never seen before, speed and power and players so on top of their game I didn't see the puck until it was in the net and everyone was cheering around me.
There was something to be said about men giving it their all.
It was sexy as hell.
And Sasha, he looked happier than I had ever seen him. He enjoyed being on the ice. I enjoyed watching him be on the ice. It made me want to lick the sweat off of his body, fall asleep in his arms while holding his–
“Hot Dog! Get your hot dogs here!” I was momentarily distracted by a vendor.
“Here!” I stood up quickly. Only then did the WAGS look at me and roll their eyes.
Of course they didn't eat hot dogs, poor girls.
“How many you want, Hun? You're lucky you got me. I don't waste much time in this section.” The Brooklyn accent was thick, it warmed my heart.
“Just two for now. But swing around third period. And if you see the beer man tell him I'm thirsty.” I gave him a good tip.
“Will do.” He smiled and started his call with a quick turn. “Hot dogs!”
I sat back down and shoved my face. Half way in the salty dog I heard “Excuse me, Excuse me.” As people started to stand a few chairs away and a short Black women wearing Doctor's scrubs in bright blue walked in my direction.
“Are you Lucy?” She was out of breath and uncomfortable in her puffy jacket.
“Nina?” I smiled.
“Yes, oh that smells good. Woo, I can't believe I made it before second period.” She flopped in the seat next to me and let her head fall back, closing her eyes for a second.
“I have an extra. Are you hungry?” I picked up the tinfoil dog and waved it under her nose.
Her one eye opened. “Sauerkraut and mustard?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.” She reached for it and spent the next few minutes relishing every bite. “Oh, thank you for that. I just pulled a double at the hospital and an hour before I was about to leave a baby came in that needed stitches and they squirm. I had to race over here just to make it.”
“I'm sure Colton appreciates it.”
“It's rare that I get to see him play, our schedules are crazy.”
“I can imagine.”
Nina stood up and whistled through her fingers at a quiet moment. Then waved her arms back and forth. Like a loyal dog, Colton looked up and waved back.
“Oh good, he sees me. Now if I fall asleep he won't care.” She huffed out a laugh.
“How long have you two been together?” They were clearly in that long haul haze. Showing their true colors and barely seeing each other.
“Since college. Since before the NHL.” She rolled her eyes.
“Hi Nina, Nice to see you made it.” The main blond, obviously top of the pecking order, turned around to talk.
“Hi Andrea. Yeah, I was running a little late. You know, saving lives.” Nina smiled back and Andrea turned slowly back to the game.
Nina rolled her eyes at me and I nodded.
“Glad it wasn't just me. Now I don't have to take it personally.”
“Oh, did you meet the queen bee?”
“I wouldn't say that. I did put my foot in my mouth though. I don't think it got off to a great start.”
Nina patted my knee. “Don't worry about it.
I get the cold shoulder because I skate along the edge.
I can't be coordinating parties and get togethers.
I don't have weekly girls dates and social media.
I can't make it to all the hosted team breakfasts and charity events.
So, I'm a leper. They see people who have a life outside of hockey less than.”
“Omph. Thanks for giving it to me straight.” I laughed.
“Oh sorry, it's my bedside manner. I'd rather give you the bad upfront. But it isn't all bad. Like when I got sick a few years ago during the season the WAGS arranged food deliveries every night for me for two weeks.”
“Well that's nice. It just seems like there is a hierarchy, and I'm not good with having to bow down.” I let my mouth widen in a cringe.
“We can agree on that.” Nina placed her hand out for me to lowly high five, and I did. “So, just feel it out before you commit.”
“I'm not sure Sasha and I are at that stage.”
She gave me a slow perusal with an all knowing smirk. “Umm, from what I know of him, if he has you sitting here, it's more than just a thing.”
That made me smile.
“And from that smile of yours I can report to my husband you have the same feelings.”
“Behind enemy lines, huh? Gonna rat me out to your honey?”
“He's been stressing about it. The Sarge finally gels with the team since you and that little bar fight and he doesn't want it messed up.” She took out her cellphone and texted furiously.
That hit me hard. Like our relationship wasn't just ours. Our relationship was part of a team. I hated that idea. I hated having to share him. I hated that my actions would be a direct representation of him.
“Oh no, did I bring down the mood already? Sorry, I don't really beat around the bush.” Nina gave a large yawn.
“I appreciate it. Kind of.” I laughed, but couldn't help stare at Sasha, chest heaving on the bench. His eyes darting to me whenever he could look away.
The first period was over and as soon as the buzzer sounded the WAGS stood and walked up the bleachers together. They avoided eye contact from Nina and I. They were ice cold, vibing like mean girls in their matching outfits.
“You can relax. They're going up to the boxes and won't be back until the very end of the third period.” Nina's eyes were drooping.
“It's not them.” I couldn't get the thought of me being a part of the team out of my head.
I hated teams, mobs, packs. Anything higher establishment I would have to answer to. It wasn't in my nature. I did what I wanted, when I wanted, to whom I wanted to. Now, would they expect me to act a certain way?
“Oh, OK.” Nina nudged me. “What do you do, Lucy?”
“I'm a carpenter. I have my own business, refurbishing antique pieces and making my own.” I smiled a her, thankful to take my mind away from the ice.
“Oh, really?” She shook her head side to side and dug in her jacket for her phone. She scrolled deep in her pictures then showed me a photo. “What do you think of this?”
I took the phone and held it close to my eyes. The buffet cabinet was surrounded by totes and covered in dust. Probably in a basement as it sat on concrete floors. “Mid-century modern. Beautiful piece, just needs a little love.”
“How much would a little love cost me?” Her eyebrows raised up and down.
“Well, what's under that dust?” I chuckled.
“Crackly shiny stuff I don't have the time to remove.”
“I see. You need a strip down and refinish? Is there anything physically wrong with it?”
“Not that I know of. Colt just told me I can't put it in the living room when it is that ugly.”
“I'll take care of it.”
There was some action on the ice. A crew member was using a T-shirt cannon to shoot things into the crowd.
Little kids in skates and gear were racing to get prizes and there was even a shootout competition.
The giant puck mascot got in on the action, but was so blind behind his thick foam suit he mostly fell.
Within moments Nina's head was on my shoulder and she was lightly snoring.
She smelled like coconut hand cream and sweat.
But she was warm in the cold arena and I knew we would be friends from the way we interacted.
Sometimes it's not always what a person says, but the feel behind there words that connects you.