“Camp starts in September, but a lot of the guys stayed in town this summer to work out so we can hit the ice running so to speak.”
“And when do the bouts begin?”
“Is your boxing reference a play on words about the fighting, because not a lot of that goes on in the league anymore.Speed is the name of the game.And our games start in October.”
“You fight during games?”Aspen’s eyes widened, shock lacing her voice.
“Jeez, woman, have you ever watched hockey?”
“Ummm, I know about checking the boards,” she said defiantly, lifting her chin at his ribbing.
“Close.I check the boards in construction to ensure there are no flaws in the wood,” Wolfe explained as he pulled his truck into the parking lot of his favorite burger joint in the city.“I check players into the boards in hockey to pulverize my opponent.”
“Oh, my.”
“C’mon, BB, let’s go educate you about my day job over a burger and a beer.”
They sipped on their beers once they were seated and ordered food.Wolfe marveled at the way the light from the overhead can above their table shined on BB’s hair.It turned the red into the color of the rays of sunlight bursting across the horizon just before dropping behind the Rocky Mountains at sunset.
Thank God he didn’t utter such a bullshit line aloud.It was about as cheesy as the aged cheddar covering their burgers.
“Hi, Wolfe!”a woman in her early twenties, donning a revealing scoop-necked Colorado Crush t-shirt approached the table in a weird déjà vu moment from the food truck incident.“It’s so amazing to meet you.I’m Trish, and I’m your biggest fan.”
Wolfe caught an expression of anger or maybe jealousy flash in BB’s eyes as she slid deeper into the seat of her side of the booth.
“Hi Trish,” he said, with politeness in his voice, but keenly aware of his primary focus of BB across from him.
“Could you sign this for me?”Trish pushed a napkin and pen Wolfe’s way.
Thank the spirit of Gordie Howe that this wasn’t a repeat performance of the puck bunny’s bust thrust from a few weeks ago.“And could we do a selfie?”
“Sure,” Wolfe dutifully signed the napkin then stood up to move behind the woman.
Trish pointed her cell phone their way.Wolfe leaned in, but didn’t touch the woman.It didn’t matter who he took pictures with, he never touched; it was too creepy.
“Perfect!”she said not looking up from the picture on the screen of her cellphone.
“Thanks, Trish.We look forward to your support this year as we bring the Cup home.”
“You can count on it!Have a nice evening,” the woman called over her shoulder and made her way from the table.
“Sorry about that, BB.That happens from time to time.”
“Seems like all of the time,” she grumbled.
“Jealous, BB?”
“Noooo.”
Wolfe could tell she was lying, and wasn’t sure why that little nugget pried open a little folder of gladness deep inside of him.
“You sure?”
“It just seems like it’s the norm for you, that’s all.”
“I think the endorsements have been a big part of that.Regardless, I don’t mind meeting the fans.Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am, you know?Most are just as rabid about the game as I am.”
“Trish seemed a little different from the women at the food truck who...”Aspen didn’t finish her thought and instead used her hands to motion a giant rack.“...were quite eager to share theirassetswith you.”
