“And why do I scare you?” I ask, intrigued.
“Your eyes. They’re the exact color of the sky before thunder strikes, and I don’t like storms. They terrify me.”
Chapter 8
The next morning, after an awful night of sleep, I make my way to the community arena that sits perfectly between mine and Levi’s neighborhood and Stevi and JJ’s neighborhood for our weekly off-season skate.
Parking my car a few spots from the door, I see that only Dono, Packer, JJ, and Stevi are already there. No Levi. Looks like I won’t have to pass the Zamboni today. We all agreed last summer that the last one to show up at the rink has to pass the Zamboni. We felt too bad making someone come in on a Friday to pass it, so we agreed to do it ourselves.
I take a good whiff when I walk in. You would think that I’d be used to the smell of arenas, or even hate it since it’s now my job, but I have to say, there’s nothing like the smell of a well-used and loved community arena. Every time I walk in and take a deep breath, I’m hit with a childhood memory reminding me why I still love the game and why I play in the big leagues.
As I make my way towards the locker rooms, I’m hit with the memory of the last time I skated, or attempted to skate, with Sadie. The little shit begged and begged me to bring her skating,she needed to get better for a tenth birthday party the “cool girl” at school was throwing at a skating rink. She lasted three minutes. Not three minutes on the ice, but three minutes from getting into the rink and back into the truck. I tied her skates and told her to wait for me before she got on, but of course she didn’t wait. She barely had two skates on the ice before face-planting, calmly getting up, taking off her skates, and telling me she’d meet me at the truck. I’d like to say she grew out of that sass, but if anything it’s gotten worse as she’s gotten older.
Smiling at the memory, I make my way to my usual spot in the changing room and start putting my gear on. I’m halfway to being ready when Stevi and Levi walk in.
“How’s Hannah feeling this morning?” JJ asks as Levi starts unpacking his gear.
“I’m not sure,” he answers, laughing. “But I did hear her get up in the middle of the night to throw up. So I’m thinking she’s not feeling too-too good.”
If she’s not feeling good, why did he leave her alone? My mom told me once that people die choking on their own vomit.And why the hell am I so concerned? I need a skate. Yeah a good skate or fuck will get this girl out of my system.Maybe tonight I’ll hit a bar . . .
“How are Lacey and Ellie feeling?” Levi asks, cutting my train of thought.
“Ellie didn’t even move when I got out of bed or when I brought her a cup of coffee, and Lacey yelled or tried to yell at me for waking her up when I brought her a cup of coffee in bed,” he says with a laugh and a shake of the head.
“I didn’t think Ellie could drink that much,” Stevi comments, pulling his jersey over his head. “Seriously, I saw five tequila shots last night. Who knows how many I missed and how many they did before I got there,” he says with an impressed look. “I didn’t think they had it in them.”
“Well, they’ll definitely be paying the price for it later today,” JJ says, laughing as he makes his way to the ice.
“I vote we take it easy today,” Packer suggests, once we’re all on the ice stretching.
“And why’s that?” Stevie asks. “It’s not like you came out with us last night.”
“Just because I wasn’t with you guys doesn’t mean I didn’tcome. If you get what I mean,” he says brushing invisible lint from his shoulder.
“On a Thursday night, really?” Levi says with a smirk. “Who did you pick up on a Thursday night if you didn’t come out with us?”
“I caught the shift change at a cute little coffee shop. Let’s just say that this morning I made coffee for the cute little barista that made me my coffee last night,” he answers confidently.
“You’re unbelievable.” JJ laughs.
“Now, don’t be hating because you’re tied down,” Packer says as he starts skating backward to the other end of the rink.
As we all start slowly skating around the rink, I end up skating beside Levi.
“So, how is Hannah adjusting to life in Oil Country?” I ask.
“She’s adjusting well. Started doing yoga with JJ, the girls, and I. Plus, she’s always hanging out with the girls. Already seems happier than when she first got here. She’s becoming more and more herself after the number her ex-husband did on her. Why?” he asks me, giving me a warning look.
“Just wondering,” I answer, too quickly.
“Yeah, better keep it at just wondering. She doesn’t need any more trouble.”
“Who says I’m trouble?” I ask.
Turning around, catching some speed to skate backwards, he yells, “When was the last time you gave a girl a second thought?”
Three and a half years ago, I think to myself. Or, since the girl I was in love with slept with everyone but me. Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I wind up skating next to JJ.
