Page 52 of Game Misconduct

Yeah, a big mistake.

Eighteen

Parker

We only had tonight’s game left before a week of traveling. It was another change, another new experience, to get anxious about. It wasn’t the traveling that was the issue, it was doing it the first time with a new team. Coming in during the middle of the season had a dozen negatives, but trying to stay out of the way and not messing up the established flow was one of the hardest. Navigating my way through the unwritten rules and my teammates’ habits should have come with an instruction manual, but the best I had was Mitch, and maybe Jason and Brandon, to give me a heads up.

But I couldn’t worry about that until tomorrow. We had a game to win before that. I didn’t need any of the guys to point out the Pride’s section to me tonight. My eyes found them without thinking, and I zeroed in on Vivi, smiling at her and offering a nod when she caught me staring.

She was wearing my jersey again.

It felt good. There was something about knowing that at least one person cared about me in the arena of fans that didn’t trust me yet. It took time to earn their respect, and I’d get there one day, but all that mattered to me was her.

She was here with Jess and the other women and probably came to hang out with them, but I let myself think I was another reason. She was cheering for me.

I was determined to make her proud to be wearing my number.

“Vivi asked for mine.” Mitch scooted closer to me on the bench. “I told her I’d get it to her in time for the next game.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“My jersey. She said she wanted to support all her friends.”

I refused to look at him. He was doing this on purpose. I never should have admitted my feelings. I gave him the perfect ammo and expected him to what? Leave it alone?

This was my mistake. I should have known there would be consequences. Heckling was the first.

“I’m her friend, should I get her one of mine too?” Jake asked from next to Mitch.

I would not give them the satisfaction of rattling me. She could rotate through the entire team. It didn’t matter, I knew who she was really here for.

“Yeah, and we might as well get Lance and Mikey’s too,” Mitch added.

“Hey, what about me? We’re friends,” Jason said from my left.

“Don’t forget me,” Derek called from the chair in front of the door. How had he even heard this conversation?

“Nah, she wants to wear the jerseys of players that actually step on the ice,” Brandon countered.

I cracked a smile, but I didn’t speak.

“Hey, shut up and focus,” Schultz shouted from down the line. “And if she needs a jersey to wear, she’s going to wear the star’s.”

“Yeah, mine,” Murray said with a grin.

“All of you stop. Now.” Hartman leaned forward and locked eyes with each of us. “She’ll wear mine. Now get ready.” He nodded and I stood with Jason and Brandon.

“Twenty bucks she wears mine before yours,” Schultz said to Murray who bumped his glove in agreement.

I shook my head, threw my leg over the boards, and left their taunts on the bench. I had one job to do, and I wasn’t going to let them get to me.

“Here!” Jason slapped his stick on the ice as we crossed through the neutral zone, and I got in position, waiting for Brandon to pass.

It was a play we’d been practicing every night for a week and finally felt ready to try out. The puck shot toward me, and I adjusted my weight so I could backhand it to Jason. He was ready, and we’d moved quicker than our opponents could keep up with. Brandon was ready for a rebound, but it wasn’t necessary. Jason’s shot was perfect, just over the goalie’s right shoulder. We scored, pulling ahead by three points. A comfortable lead for the third period.

“Yes!” Jason and Brandon crashed into me with Jake and Lance.

Jason led us to the bench, bumping gloves with the team as we skated past before taking our seats.