Page 2 of Final Score

“Kat, listen. It’s not what you think.” Creeping closer, Noah held his hands up, palms facing outward as if he was the victim fending off the villain.

“Don’t.” I choked out, fighting off tears. “Don’t you dare say it’s not what it looks like when the entire world just watched you two suck faces.” My voice raised an octave higher with each word as I waved my hands between them. The tears could fall later, in private. “Is she why you’ve been so distant? All those nights you’d disappear, and I wouldn’t hear from you until the next morning? The reason you told me to stop coming to your games?”

“We’ve had issues for a long time, Kat. I needed something easier, simpler.” Shrugging, Noah retreated to his position on the wall. “Someone I didn’t have to try so damn hard every day to make things perfect for. Someone who met my standards and who would be there when I needed them.”

“You don’t think I know that? I was always there for you. I wasted four years of my life loving you and making sure you were happy! Hell, I changed my entire life for you!” If looks could kill, both of them would be a pile of ash. I could feel my face getting hotter with every venom laced word. “Glad to see this is the thanks I get.”

“If he had been happy, he wouldn’t have gone home with me months ago. He always said you were too moody. That you couldn’t let things go. I never understood that until now.” Up close, I realized she and I were similar in every way. Sure, I was a few inches taller at 5’ 3” but we had the same slim figure, same hair, even the same blue eyes.

That was it the final straw. If I didn’t leave now, I would bruise her little face and get myself into an even bigger mess. “Forget this. It’s not even worth it.” I turned, taking one last glance at my ex.

“You both deserve each other. I hope you rot in hell.”

The crowd that had gathered to watch our own personal Shakespearean drama erupted into laughter and cheers. Snickers coming from some of Noah’s own teammates as they spilled out the locker room door, trying to glimpse the commotion going on outside.

I felt multiple pairs of eyes tracked my exit as I ran into the crisp October air. A deep breath melted the fire in my lungs as I squinted against the sunlight. Orange and yellow leaves swirled at my feet, falling from the trees overhead, as I made the short walk to my beat-up Chevy Silverado in record time. Slamming the door, I reached across the dash cranking the heat on full blast as my cellphone rang from somewhere inside my purse.

Fallon: House Party off-campus tonight. We’re going. Ordering Chinese for dinner. Want the usual?

Straight and to the point. My future lawyer roommate was always up for a party. She claimed she was getting her wild years out early. I typed a quick response, already expecting her reaction to the breakup.

Kat: Usual Chinese order please! Stopping at the store on my way home. Do you need anything?

Kat: Also - Just got rid of 200 lbs. of baggage. I’m a new woman.

Fallon: Will do.

Fallon: wait.... please tell me YOU DUMPED HIS ASS??!! I expect full details when you get home.

Laughing, I raced out of the parking lot, eager to leave this place and its memories behind me. I didn’t know what the future held, but I knew one thing for certain. No more hockey players. Ever.

CHAPTER 2

I have a long list of reasons I hate Noah O’Connor. For starters, he’s a cocky son of a bitch who thinks he’s god’s gift to the world. He skates like a bull in a china shop. Pulling illegal moves on the ice that put my team in danger. He’s an unpleasant human being. The kind only his mother could love. Having built an entire personality to fuel his bravado. Which is why I have two rules on and off the ice.

One: You don’t mess with my team.

Two: I don’t lose.

Three seasons ago, Noah learned both lessons the hard way. We got into a fight on the ice after he slammed into our goalie on purpose, pinning him against the net as O’Connor tried to score. As a team captain, I expected him to throw a better punch. Sadly, I was disappointed. Luckily for him, the ref intervened, minimizing the bloodshed. He never crossed me again. That first interaction marking me as an enemy. A badge I’ve worn proudly, next to the stitched C on my jersey.

Now, it seems like hockey isn’t the only thing he cheats at. I watch his smoke show of an ex-girlfriend storm out of the stadium, leaving a trail of fear in her wake. While Noah clings to his side piece for protection. News flash buddy, you’re supposed to protect her not the other way around. For clarity, the her, I’m referring to is his ex.

How O’Connor ever landed a girl like that I will never understand. From the second she blew into the locker room hallway like a fire filled tornado, she crashed into my brain. I mean, she actually crashed into me in a rage fueled haze. If she noticed I helped steady her before she plowed into someone else, or that I had asked if she was alright, she didn’t show it. I don’t blame her for the hellfire she rained down on those unsuspecting lovebirds. They deserved more than the tantrum she threw. Personal opinion only.

I had stopped a few team members from recording their altercation. Thought I can’t say the same for Noah’s own teammates, who were climbing over each other to get a better view. No one should have that plastered all over the internet.

How unlucky am I to have met my dream girl at the worst possible moment? A girl like that deserves to be worshiped. Her physical appearance only amplified my attraction. A slim figure, with a perky ass that bounced with every sway of her hips... I could think of a million ways I’d like to fix her heartbreak.

Sighing, I walk back into the locker room. Finding an open seat on the bench, trying to focus on coaches after game replay.

“You boys played a good game tonight. We knew the Saints were going to be hard to beat. But you showed that entire stadium just how badly you wanted that win. Especially since the Saint’s never play fair. Take Ronnie as exhibit A.”

The entire team looked at where Ronnie sat, his arm now resting in a sling. The freshman player smiled despite sporting a blackened eye. We were still waiting on the official diagnosis. But if I had to guess he’d be in a cast for at least a month.

“Regardless of our win tonight, we still have a long way to go before we get to the Championship. I’m adding an extra practice every week until March to make sure we don’t get sloppy. No mistakes. We’re defending our title this year. Go home, get some rest. You’ll need it for practice Monday morning.”

Coach Taylor is a good man. After coaching in the NHL for over 15 years, this is his form of retirement. The NU Devils were lucky to have him.