Page 17 of Walk the Line

But everyone else can worry about their fate on the team and I’ll just continue chilling like I always do.

Coach Campbell walks and takes a scan around the room. He’s looking carefully enough that he eventually nods when I’m sure he’s satisfied that everyone from the team we had last year is here.

I wouldn’t mind him bringing in some new additions since I’m still planning on talking to him about swapping some of these people out anyway. If we’re going to be winning the League, we can’t have players who are stuck at a lower level than they should be. It’s the harsh truth, but it is the truth.

“Should be any minute now,” he says out loud, but I don’t know who he’s talking to.

What should be any minute?

“Coach, can I —“ someone begins but his voice is drowned out by the door opening and the next thing I know, a group of women are making their way towards us.

“There,” is all Coach says and yeah, none of this is making any sense right now.

But as they slow down and I catch glimpses of their faces it doesn’t take me long to realise that this Wildern’s Women’s Hockey Team.

I’ve never yet gone to any of their games in person, but I’ve always been impressed with most of the performances I’ve seen in the ones I caught online. I can’t deny that they have some talented players on the team and like us, they’ll be able to play in the Women’s League this year.

But why are they here?

It seems as if it’s the full team, who have now stopped and are standing on the other side of us while Coach stands in the middle. At least I know I’m not alone in questioning what’s going on, everyone looks confused as fuck right now. I need to just be on the ice doing my thing instead of this.

“What’s going on, Coach?” Nathan asks.

I guess sometimes he has useful stuff to say.

“We’re just waiting on one more.”

I’m just about taking in his words when the door opens once again and my gaze instantly locks with a set of deep eyes that have been piercing daggers into me from the moment we met. I could try to convince myself it’s not her, but that familiar walk coupled with that tall, slender body are laughing that argument away from me. I would recognise them, recognise her, anywhere as much as I hate to admit it.

What the fuck is Kaylah doing here?

CHAPTER SEVEN

KAYLAH

This is my worst nightmare.

I hate being late, especially when I’m walking into a room full of people who take no hesitation in staring at me. The only problem with that is that I’m late quite often, most of the time if I’m being honest.

I know I need to do better, and maybe this is my incentive to, because if I simply on time, I wouldn’t be welcoming this confusion rising inside of me as I take in Julius’s presence.

I knew he was a Hockey player but the first thing I saw walking into this room was the Women’s team. I remember all their faces from my research and as I’m planning on joining, Coach’s email made it clear they would be here with me. I’m pretty sure they had a different coach last year, but I know these things can easily change so I didn’t question it. The real surprise, however, was finally catching sight of the Men’s team.

So, I think it’s safe to say this is weird.

But I’m going to start sweating if these people continue looking at me.

“Sorry I’m late,” I say, not only because I mean it, but because I’m hoping the bland tone puts people off.

Though I’m sure the looks I’m picking up on aren’t frustrated ones due to my tardiness. No, I’m guessing everyone’s curious about who the new girl in the room is and what she has to do with the team.

“Nice of you to join us,” Coach Campbell says. I’m used to ice, but the glares being directed at me from what feels like the entire room, is making me wanting to crawl into a hole. Thankfully, Coach continues with, “Now, I know you’re probably all wondering what’s going on here, so firstly I need to tell you that you all did a great job last year on your respective teams.” There are a few seconds of murmured appreciation, before, “That said, we know that this is the year where the real work begins. As such things are gonna be a little different for us all. Right now, I’m going to split you into two teams. They will be based on your position and then we’ll have a little friendly game.”

He does as he says and divides us into teams. I’m aware of the fact Julius was switching between Centre and Defenseman last year, but it’s nothing if not typical that Coach has us both playing Centre in our opposing teams. I just can’t seem to get away from this guy.

I was in my element from the moment I heard about this game, so when it’s time for the face off, I remain focused and then act quickly as soon as the puck is mine for the taking. Naturally, Julius does the same, and naturally, he’s just not quick enough, and now I’m ready to play the game I’ve missed so much.

While I played it in my first year of university, during the time I was there anyway, all I could really do during my break was practice. I’ve been in need of a good game, and this…could have been a good game but there’s too much tension on the ice, and not enough passes that make sense.