Chapter 15 Kaci
fifteen
Kaci
Thankfully nosebleed seats are only seven bucks each.
I cleaned the change out of the center console of my car to scrape together enough money for popcorn and drinks.
Now, we’re sitting way up in the top row, nearly empty except for us—just another reminder that I’m more broke than the average person.
It’s okay, though. Bella’s smile is the largest it’s been in a long time, and that makes it worth it.
“There he is, Mom.” Bella points forward with urgency like she’s spotted her long lost friend.
She insisted on wearing the Granite Ice T-shirt Jackson bought her.
At first, I hesitated but the only reason I had for her not to wear it had to do with my dwindling pride, and well, she looks adorable in blue and orange.
I scan the ice as the players move into their positions until I land on Jackson. Craning my neck for a better view, I find myself sliding to the edge of my seat. “Yeah, that’s him.”
With wide shoulders, he commands his space.
Maybe it’s the arena, or the music, or the fans, but the electric energy in the air instantly pumps me up.
Sporting events of any kind are another one of those experiences I haven’t allowed myself to enjoy in years.
It feels good to be here and to be excited for something.
I can’t keep my eyes off the team. They are all fast and limber as they warm up.
I’ve never seen a hockey game in real life, and this is beyond what I expected.
I expected it to be loud, but this is deafening in the most fun way, as fans stomp their feet in the stands and scream out players’ names.
And Jackson takes control. With his goalie pads on, he’s everything one would want in a giant man-brick.
Not that I know anything about hockey, but that’s seriously the only way I can describe him.
Not to mention he certainly knows how to wear a jersey.
There’s so much confidence oozing from him, if I was an opposing player, I would be intimidated.
The guys line up for a faceoff, and the puck is in play with Arctic Force in control.
It all goes so fast, and I find my head turning back and forth as I frantically struggle to keep track of the puck.
It’s only a couple of minutes in, and one of their guys goes to Jackson’s net to shoot.
I literally hold my breath, suppressing a squeal.
I didn’t think it would feel like this, but my heart is in my throat.
Jackson’s movements are fluid, and he effortlessly blocks the puck, like it’s the most natural thing in the world to him. His teammates pound their sticks against the boards to celebrate his impressive save.
Suddenly, I love hockey.
“Mom, did you see that?” Bella asks as she stands up on her seat for a better view. Since there’s nobody behind us, I don’t tell her to get down.
“I did.” I don’t even want to talk; it takes away part of my concentration from the game.
Granite Ice now has control of the puck, and they are getting closer to the Arctic Force’s net.
I literally want to put my hand over my heart as it’s beating so fast. Granite Ice misses their shot.
Artic Force regroups a lot faster, gains control of the puck, and brings it back to Jackson’s net again.
I want to close my eyes. I can’t even watch this.
How does Jackson handle this kind of pressure?
The puck literally flies right toward his face, and he gracefully extends his glove and snatches it out of the air.
The crowd screams, and the players slam the boards again.
I’m so full of energy that I find myself screaming too.
Granite Ice, once again has the puck and takes it back down the ice. I have no idea what any of the player positions are, but the same guy who shot last time attempts another shot. My top teeth crash into my bottom lip. I can’t stand the excitement.
Their goalie kicks out a pad, but he misses!
The puck goes in the net, and the crowd’s screams become unhinged.
I jump and pump my fist in the air. The arena lights dim, and a giant lightning rod rockets above my head.
It’s so bright, I scream from shock. The arena lights pulse on and then off, leaving us all in the dark.
At first, it’s a tad funny, but after a moment, fear spreads through the arena and screams echo off the high ceiling.
Darkness remains.
I reach to the side, grabbing Bella’s shoulder as the crowd’s happy cheers are completely replaced by muffled whispers.
“Mom, what happened to the lights?” Bella asks.
“I don’t know.” I reach for my phone and turn on the flashlight. “I think that lightning machine must have blown the power or something.”
“Everyone, stay seated, please” a voice yells from down below. It’s hard to hear because it’s not over the speaker system. “We’ve lost power, but for your safety, we ask that everyone stay seated until we have the lights restored.”
“Are you kidding me?” Bella drops to her seat, and slumps down in the chair. “It was getting so good.”
“Yeah, that’s terrible timing,” I mutter as I sit back in my seat, grabbing my popcorn, thankful to have something to do while we waste time. Everyone has taken out their cellphones. There are hundreds of flashlight beams weaving through the air now, and it’s crazy hard on my eyes.
“What do we do, Mom?” Bella’s wide eyes look back at me.
“Nothing.” I shrug. “We just wait.” I fold my bottom lip in and check my phone for the time. Hopefully, this delay isn’t long—it’s a school night. I find myself shaking my head.
What are the odds that the power goes out the one time I actually go to a sporting event?