“It’s totally fine. I’m just excited for the game.”
At that moment, several people jostle their way into our row. An enormously pregnant woman apologizes her way past us as we stand to let her through. She sits on the other side of Caleb, just as a guy the size of a refrigerator takes the seat next to me. The result is that Caleb and I are pushed against each other, our arms pressing together shoulder to wrist on the armrest. I don’t mind at all. And if he does, he certainly doesn’t show it.
Caleb’s gaze shifts over my shoulder, and I turn to see the guy next to me putting on one of the Stag antler headbands they’ve clearly been selling in mass quantities.
Caleb and I exchange a look, and both roll our lips to keep from laughing. Pretty funny to see such a mountain of manliness wearing one of those things, but Caleb and I seem to be in agreement it’s best to keep that thought to ourselves.
A horn blares, and the teams skate off the ice.
“Going to start soon,” Caleb says.
I rock my shoulder against his in response. This is definitely not where I imagined spending my first weekend at college, but with this boy? I am here for it.
Then the announcer comes on over the PA. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the visiting Holy Heart Pine Martens!”
The crowd goes wild. I look at Caleb. “I’m sorry, the Holy Heart, what?”
He shrugs. “It’s like this cute little furry thing? Like a weasel?”
“That doesn’t seem like a fair match. Wouldn’t a stag, like, destroy something like that?”
The pregnant woman on the other side of Caleb leans forward. “We will bury you, Stag hags.”
I hold my hands up in surrender, and Caleb and I share another barely suppressed laugh.
The announcer introduces the starting lineup one at a time as they skate back out. Each player appears in turn on the big screen above the ice.
“And playing center and team captain for the Pine Martens, number 19, junior Luke Morgan.”
“Whoa,” I say. Because Luke Morgan justifies the over-the-top hot lead described in every MM hockey romance.
“Yeah,” says Caleb beside me, and I nudge his shoulder again. He gives me a shy smile that makes me forget all about the athletes on the ice.
After that, the Green Mountain Stags come out. I cheer extra loud when Gavin is introduced.
We rise while some local musician sings the national anthem, and then the game is underway. Fortunately, I have attended enough practices to have a tiny clue what’s going on. The announcer kind of helps, except half the time it’s like he’s speaking in code.
“Holy Heart’s number 12, left wing, dekes to his right and now he’s got room to pass!”
Good thing I have my own personal translator.
“Um…”
“It’s like a fake-out,” Caleb says.
The guy on my left gives me a funny look, but hey, I’m still learning.
Halfway through the first period, there’s still no score. I’m surprised because even though both Caleb and Gavin told me both schools are Division I (whatever that means exactly), I also know Green Mountain is an absolute force in college hockey. Holy Heart is definitely the underdog in this matchup, but they’re holding their own, at least so far.
Holy Heart’s hot center, Luke Morgan, gets the puck and immediately fires a shot straight for the goal, but Gavin darts out of nowhere to block it, like he read the guy’s mind.
Morgan gives Gavin a nod of acknowledgment.
“Impressive deflection by Gavin West,” says the announcer, “and respect shown there from the opposing captain. You gotta appreciate that.”
“No, I don’t,” some guy yells from the stands. “Fuck you, Puck U!”
There’s a rousing round of agreement from Holy Heart fans.
