The guys are facing off against the Tempe Tornadoes, and Haddy claims it should be an easy win. As soon as the last name is announced, the guys are on the ice, flying from one side to the other so fast. I do my best to follow the puck, but I’m getting cross-eyed.
“I can’t see the puck,” I cry, holding onto Gina’s arm, blinking fast.
“Don’t worry about that,” she answers, her eyes fixed on the rink. “Follow the players.”
She doesn’t have to tell me that. I’ve been doing my best not to stare at Maverick the whole time, but he’s incredibly magnetic on the ice.
The other players naturally follow his lead. His dark brow is lowered, and he’s so fast. He watches the other players, tracking their moves and going straight in for a steal or blocking a pass.
Gavin and Owen are right there with him, and they’re like a well-oiled machine. They flick the puck back and forth, until just like that, Mav slaps it into the net, and the air around us explodes.
Air horns, bells, screaming fans chanting,Mav and Gav.The Jumbotron lights up with the words,Make some Noise!like that’s necessary, and the old song “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled blasts through the arena.
A picture of Mav appears on the big screen. He’s making a game face, so his jaw is set. His full lips are pressed into a line, and his hazel eyes are determined. He looks like a champion.
I think about the two of us alone in the house together, talking about my fears about the orchard, talking about our favorite meals, talking about inconsequential things. He’s really a star, and pride heats my veins.
My body lights up, and I wonder why I’ve never seen him this way before. He’s so skilled and controlled and… sexy.
Oh peach pits,I think Maverick is sexy?My hands move to my cheeks.
At that exact moment, a big guy grabs Maverick by thejersey and starts banging his fist against his shoulder pads. Mav spins around, and it’s a full on fight.
“What?” My voice rises in a shriek, and I grip Gina’s arm tight. "What’s happening? Why is that guy hitting Mav? Why isn’t anyone stopping this?”
More guys fly up to join them, and it turns into a brawl, swinging fists and punching each other. I’m horrified, and I can’t believe the referees? Umpires? Whatever the guys in black and white are called here aren’t stopping this.
“It’s okay, Aunt Dove.” Maddie puts her small hand on my arm. “Fighting is part of hockey culture. It lets them blow off steam and actually keeps the game fair.”
My eyes widen at the seven-year-old in front of me, calmly telling me not to worry about the melee occurring on the ice in front of us.
“They don’t usually hit each other in the face,” Heather notes, pointing to the way they’re all going at it.
That’s when I see it for real. They’re not actually hurting each other. Yes, a jersey is torn, but there’s no blood drawn. It’s more gripping and shoving and wailing on pads.
Finally, guys in black and white uniforms skate in to break it up. The crowd actually boos at them, but the fight dissolves and the guy who hit Mav has to sit in a little glass box. He even kicks the side as they close the door.
“He’s in the sin bin,” Heather leans over and explains to me.
“Sin bin?” I frown at her.
“It’s what they call the penalty box. It’s basically a time out.”
The rest of the players pick up the game like nothing happened. I look around, but apparently I’m the only one who finds this weird and a little funny.
“I like it,” I say. “He needs a time out.”
We’re on our feet as much as we sit during this fast-paced back-and forth. I do my best to keep up with what’s happening, but before I know it—and as Haddy predicted—the final score is 2-0, Champions win.
The stadium goes crazy. The Queen song “We Are The Champions” plays of course, along with other hype songs.
“What do we do now?” I watch the girls gathering their things.
Haddy exchanges a look with Heather. “Why don’t you and Gina go out with the team? The guys’ll love that. Owen never gets to party anymore.”
“Getsto party?” Gina asks wryly. “Owen’s five years older than the oldest player, and he’s a dad. Partying isn’t really his thing anymore.”
“Still, he’ll be all hyped up after that game,” Haddy notes.
