I’ll text you when I’m on my way
Smiling, I lock my phone and stuff it into the top of my locker before grabbing my stick and heading out to practice. The energy between the guys is a real, live, breathing organism. It’s always like this before the first game of the season.
We’ve played Vegas a few times over the years, but being here now and seeing Harper today? It’s bringing back a whole slew of emotions.
I still remember that first assist I ever got, knowing exactly where Harper would be in the stands. Wearing my jersey.
Why is there nothing sexier than a woman wearing your jersey?
“Shooting and passing drills in the neutral zone. After that, we’ll break off into three stations. Face-offs, d-point shooting, and one-on-one puck protection.” Coach Andrews blows his whistle and everyone skates into action.
This is easy. Something I could do in my sleep. A straightforward practice before our first game of the season tonight.
Our moves are flowing—everyone is exactly where they need to be as we pass the puck back and forth.
It helps put me in the zone. Being on skates is the one place I can drown out all the noise. It’s just me, the ice, and my teammates.
We go through our stations. Everyone is gelling. It feels good.No.It feels fuckinggreat.
When Coach Andrews blows the whistle, all the guys are grinning from ear to ear.
“Anyone else feel like that was a great practice?” Noah asks. “It wasn’t just me.”
“I know it’s a throwaway, but it did,” Graham agrees.
“Glad it wasn’t just me,” Dax confirms. “Makes me feel good about the season.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, boys.” Jasper passes by all of us as we head to the visitors’ locker room.
I roll my eyes at him. Typical Jasper. He was a pain in the ass my rookie season and has been ever since. More so lately.
“Anyone grabbing a bite before we have to head back?” Bode asks. He changes out of his gear and hangs it in the plain metal stall of the visitors’ locker room.
I shake my head as I quickly change and head to the shower. “Nah. I’m good. I’ll meet you guys back at the hotel for the ride over.”
“Everything okay?” Noah asks.
“I’m good.”
Noah studies me. “You sure say that a lot.”
I swat at him. “Because it’s true.”
“Okay.”
I don’t remember the last time I’ve ever showered and gotten dressed after practice so fast.
I pull my phone out of my locker and fire off a quick text to Harper.
On my way
“You got a hot date?”Bode asks, slapping my back as he walks by. “Is that why you’re ditching us?”
“Not everything is about women, Bode.”
I don’t waste any more time as I head out of the arenaand wave to the security guard manning the visitors’ entrance.
Hailing a cab, I give him the address and try not to fiddle as I wait through traffic. I’m part nerves, part excitement, wanting to see Harper.
