“Of course, be right back.”
I can feel her attention on me as she gets my drinks from the front galley.It’s the same notice women everywhere have been giving me since I accidentally announced I was a twenty-four-year-old virgin on national television.I’m not ashamed of it, but it wasn’t something I ever planned on making public.It’s no one’s business.Ever since then, I’ve felt like there’s been a bounty on my…head.Women calculating on what it would take for them to be the one I choose to go all the way with, imagining what it would be like.
It’s demeaning.Like there’s nothing more to me than my sexuality.I have a whole new appreciation for what women go through every day.No wonder they choose the bear.Luckily, I’ve picked up a few tricks and put down the tray table of the empty seat next to me to keep her from entering my space.
“Thanks,” I say as she places my drinks on the table along with a bag of pretzels.
“My pleasure,” she replies with a flirtatious grin.“I fly into Atlantic City a few times a week… Maybe we can get together?”
I hate these kinds of interactions.The right thing to say always escapes me.I don’t want to be rude or hurt someone’s feelings.Nor do I want to lead anyone on or open the door to future contact I don’t want.I wish I could be like my older brother Finn.He always knows what to say and never has a problem talking to women.Where he’s confident and polished, I’m tongue-tied and awkward.I reach up to adjust my glasses, remembering at the last moment I’m wearing my contacts.I prefer to wear my glasses in everyday life, but I didn’t want my first meeting with my new team to be colored by my black-framed glasses.I want to look like a hockey player, not like the computer engineer I studied to be.
“Oh.Th-that’s nice, ” I stammer.Heat rises to my cheeks, and I hope my beard hides it.“I’ll be really busy with hockey, and the team has a private plane.”I’m nodding like I’m a Bigfoot shifter bobblehead, but I can’t stop.
“Excuse me, miss?”comes a savior from the row behind me.“Could I get a cup of coffee?”If I had Devil Birds tickets to give out, this dude would be getting as many as he wanted.
Thankfully, his interruption starts a chain reaction that keeps the flight attendant busy throughout the remainder of the flight.A few people ask for autographs and selfies as we walk down the jetway.I realize I don’t know what number to put with my name.I was 36 on the Sasquatch, but I have no idea what will be on my jersey with the Devil Birds.
I can easily see over the crowd as I enter the small terminal of the Atlantic City airport, an advantage of being almost seven feet tall.I’ve traveled here before, visiting my brother, so I know the airport’s layout and easily spot Jake Whitman, the general manager of the Devil Birds, waiting for me.He lifts his chin in acknowledgment when he sees me and holds out his hand in greeting.
“Hey, Oliver, welcome to New Jersey,” Jake says as we shake hands.“We’re happy to have you here.”
His grip is strong, but not in a jerky “Let me prove I’m superior” way.I appreciate that.As a larger shifter male, a lot of guys try to test me like I’m going to fight them.Other than a couple of times on the ice when I was younger and protecting teammates, I’ve never been in a fight.I’m a nerdy computer guy who happens to be good at hockey—I’m not a brawler or some macho man.
“Call me Ollie.I’m happy to be here.”
“We’re thrilled to have you,” Jake says.“We’re happy to not have to play against you any longer.Getting you is a big piece of our playoff puzzle.The second we heard you were available, I was on the phone.I’m sorry you got dealt dirty like that, but we’ll take care of you here.Welcome to the flock.”
I get a lump in my throat.I never felt welcome or like I was a part of the Sasquatch, even as their captain.I didn’t get any goodbyes or well-wishes from the team chat when I said goodbye.By contrast, the Devil Birds players have sent me a flurry of welcomes and offers of spare rooms until I find a place.Totally different vibe than the ’Squatch.
We go to baggage claim, and I grab both of my bags, passing the second to Jake when he offers to take it.Leaving the terminal, we get in Jake’s luxury SUV.
As we start driving east, Jake asks, “Other than being here for games, have you been to Atlantic City before?”
Nodding, I rest my elbow on the window ledge.“Yeah, my brother Finn lives here.In Shifting Pines.He works at the wildlife refuge.”
Jake cocks his head.“Finn King?”
“Yeah.”
“I know him!He works with my dad.”Jake slaps the steering wheel and laughs.“It’s such a small world.I’ve met him a few times.Good guy.”
“Yeah.Thanks.”I suck at small talk.I don’t want to be rude, but I’m not chatty, and there’s no point getting close to these people when I’m going to be traded away again or not brought back next season.They don’t need me; they have a strong team already.It’s like Jake said, better to have me with them than against them.
“Then you know how to get around.Are you staying with them?We have you set up with a room at Devil’s Den.It’s right across from our rink, so you’ll be okay until your car gets here.You’re having it shipped?”
“Yeah, I’m having my SUV shipped with my other stuff.I have a room lined up with a friend in Shifting Pines, but being close to the rink is good until I have my Suburban.”
We’re entering Atlantic City, and I’m looking around my new hometown.It’s on an island off the southern New Jersey coast.The world-famous Boardwalk is here, along with the glittery casinos.The casinos are all that it has in common with Las Vegas.Where everything is spread out in Vegas, it’s compact here.The word “city” is amusing because the population is about the same as the neighboring townships, but it’s more compressed due to being on a small island with some other towns.
I won’t be making Atlantic City my long-term home.Too much concrete and neon.I need to be able to be out in the woods and enjoy some peace and quiet.That’s not possible with the clanging slot machines, honking horns, and the constant whooshing of the waves lapping the beach.I can’t relax with all that stimulation.But that’s something for future Ollie to deal with.Present Ollie needs to get in his room and settle in before his first day of practice with his new team tomorrow.
“Here we are,” Jake says as he pulls into a marked spot in the Devil Den’s parking garage.He opens his door, and I follow suit.“Let’s get you settled in.”
We take an elevated walkway over the busy street below into the hotel portion of the casino.Jake guides me to the front desk so I can officially register and get my key card, and then we take the elevator up to the eleventh floor.My room is a small suite with a sitting area, kitchenette, and bedroom.It overlooks the Boardwalk and has a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean.I recognize the arena where the Devil Birds play—it’s nicknamed the Nest, and there are stores and restaurants in the converted pier, along with the rink the Devil Birds call home.
“Order whatever you want from room service tonight.You can meet with Miranda, Coach Morgan’s assistant, to work out grocery delivery and anything else you may want delivered until your car gets here.We want to make sure you’re comfortable and happy.”
“Thanks, Jake, I appreciate that.I’m grateful for this opportunity.”
