Page 57 of Hot Shot
Hunter:All good sweets. I’m sixty-eight.
Me:Can’t wait to watch you play tonight.
Hunter:You’re still coming over after?
Me:Yep. I packed a bag. I don’t have to work tomorrow either.
Hunter sends back a thumbs up and a heart emoji. I lock my phone to prevent me from obsessing about his response and head to the arena and the pro shop to find a Storm shirt.
Once I’m done shopping, I pick up my ticket from will call. I wander around the lower level, checking out the other stores and the food options to kill time.
The taco place Hunter took me to, Locos Tacos, has a location in the arena. I make a mental note to come and get some tacos during one of the intermissions.
Deciding it’s time to find my seat so I can watch warm-ups, I make my way to my section.
Walking down the flight of stairs I discover I’m only a couple of rows behind the glass to the side of the Heat’s net. I have the perfect view of the Storm’s bench and the side of the ice they’ll be attacking twice. Can’t really get any better than this unless you’re sitting on the bench with the team. I take my seat and pull out my phone to snap a quick selfie to send to my aunt and Rachel.
Soon both teams make their way out onto the ice, and I put my phone away and look for Hunter.
He raises his hand in greeting when he sees me. I watch the guys warm up, excited to see my first hockey game in a long time. As people continue to stream into the arena, the energy increases.
I took a few minutes earlier today to look up the Heat to see how they’re playing, and they’re doing well this season. Which means the game is probably going to be fast-paced and close. The Heat are also a physical team, judging by some clips I saw, which should make for an interesting game.
Finally, the puck is dropped at center ice and play starts. We gain possession of the puck quickly. As I predicted, it’s a fast-paced period. Their goalie is great and manages to knock aside all the shots that come his way.
With under a minute to go in the first period there’s still no score. Hunter’s line takes the ice again. They go on the attack, and Brody manages to score the first goal as the buzzer sounds, signaling the end of period. I clap and cheer with the rest of the crowd as both teams make their way off the ice for intermission.
Fifteen minutes later, I’ve procured tacos and a beer and am back in my seat as the second period starts.
The first ten minutes are uneventful with both teams battling for the puck but no goals. Once again, Hunter’s line is on the ice.
I can’t take my eyes off him. He’s mesmerizing. The way he skates and handles the puck is like nothing I’ve ever seen. You’d never know this is his first season in the NHL. He fits right in with the team.
He takes a backhand pass from number fifty and with some skilled stick work, shoots a goal. I’m on my feet yelling in excitement with the rest of the fans. He spots me in the crowd and winks at me. I cheer and wave.
They complete a change and the puck’s dropped at center ice.
The period continues and the Heat score a goal. Hunter’s line comes back out. There’s some pushing and shoving after the whistle is blown for an offsides call. The game resumes with no penalties. Suddenly, a Heat player checks Hunter into the boards.
Hard.
I grimace. Play moves back down the opposite side of the ice, toward the Storm’s goal, but I can’t take my eyes off Hunter who slowly gets to his feet.
Something’s wrong.
I can see it in the way he skates over to the bench. A lump forms in my throat and my palms start to sweat.Shit. He shakes his head at the trainer who comes over to him.
I let out a breath, hoping that whatever hurts will start feeling better soon. The lines change and the game continues. But Hunter doesn’t go back on the ice.
Finally, the buzzer sounds indicating the end of the second period.
I’m a ball of nerves the entire fifteen minutes of intermission, pacing around wishing I could talk to Hunter and make sure he’s okay. I contemplate texting him, but I doubt he’ll see the message.
They take hits like that all the time, Madison.
He’ll be fine.
He walked off with the rest of the team.
