But they are no match for the Black Diamonds.
The team is fluid, moving as one across the ice. The play sets up, with our team easily driving the puck toward their goal.
Troy. Cash. Noah. Back to Cash. Before he sends it up the ice to a winger who scoops it up and sends it flying into the back of the net.
“Yes!”
The red light flares as the horn echoes out across the arena. I’m jumping up and down right alongside Angie, celebrating the first score of the game.
They make it look easy.
“What’s going on?” I ask. Stuffed animals of all kinds are being thrown onto the ice.
“Every time they score tonight, fans throw stuffed animals onto the ice. They’ll take them to the local children’s hospital later this week.”
“I love that.” Play temporarily pauses as members of the team skate onto the ice to collect everything. “I can’t believe how many are out there.”
There have to be hundreds lying on the ice.
“It’s because we have the best fans,” Angie tells me.
“You don’t have to sell me on being a fan.”
The minute my brother got into hockey when he was younger, the entire family became fans of Colorado’s NHL team.
I’ve known of Cash since Noah was drafted. He’s not an easy person to get to know, but since we started this thing, I’m determined to get to know him. At least as much as he’ll let me learn about him.
The game picks up again, and I take the opportunity to refill my drink and grab some pretzels with cheese.
“Are you going to go with Cash to hand them out?” Angie asks, stealing a pretzel off my plate as I take my seat next to her.
“Am I allowed to?” I drag a warm pretzel through the beer cheese and take a bite. “I thought those were players only.”
I don’t know if it was on Cassie’s official list of events, but I didn’t look too hard after I left Cash the other night. I guess I should look more closely.
“I think it’d be a great idea. Let people see a different side of Cash.”
A smile erupts on my face. “I can’t imagine how cute he’d be with kids.”
Under all the broodiness, I feel like there has to be a heart of gold. Maybe there isn’t; I don’t know. I’m hoping with time Cash will show me his true self.
Sure, he stepped up for me with Ava and Duncan, but that could’ve been a one-off. I know very little about my boyfriend.
Myfakeboyfriend.
A fight breaks out on the ice, distracting the two of us. One of Vancouver’s players has his gloves off, going at it with Duncan.
I lean over, whispering to Angie, “Is it bad I hope the Vancouver guy punches him in the face?”
Angie peers around the suite, most people lost in their own conversation. “Just don’t let the others hear you.”
Duncan gets sent to the sin bin and I groan on behalf of the team. Playing a man down is never easy. If only the Vancouver guy had gotten a piece of him.
Cash is on the ice, working hard to defend our goal and kill the power play. Fans are on their feet cheering loud as Vancouver is circling.
A bad pass from Vancouver has Cash grabbing the puck and streaking down the ice.
Cash’s stick-handling skills are doing something to my insides that Duncan never did. It’s intoxicating watching him, the way he dodges between the defenders and breaks away toward Vancouver’s goal.
