Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
Becker moving toward the referee.
Cole is my personal hockey encyclopedia, thankfully, because all I know about hockey is they skate on ice with sticks and use a puck.
“Jackson and Becker will do the face off circle to get the puck.”
“I’m glad you know so much, Coco, because I know nothing about this game.”
He smiles up at me so sweetly. “I help you Luci.” I ruffle his hair affectionately.
I watch surprised as the referee drops the black circular object and they fight for it. Like chickens all after the same worm is the unbidden thought that forms and I shove it away.
“Easton got in trouble. He on the bench.” I glance up at the clock after Cole’s words. My fault…
“He’s the captain, always plays.”
After five minutes, I see Easton stand up and Kendall goes out while Easton comes in. You can almost sense the shift in both teams when his skates hit the ice. I saw his face when he was on the bench. The intensity as he watched; I could feel it from my seat.
“They call him the Icebreaker. Watch.” Cole’s voice is full of pride.
The other team has the puck and two of them are flanking the guy pushing it toward
Kingston. Easton flies across the ice and plows right through them. When he emerges from between the two red uniforms, I see he has the puck and is speeding toward the opposing goalie. He flies as the other team struggles to catch him. Jackson gets slammed into as he chases along, but he barely moves.
“They call Jackson the Ice Wall.” Cole says, his eyes lit up brightly with excitement.
He slams back into the other guy, knocking him down. Easton scores and Cole jumps up shouting. I see his head briefly look our way as Cole and Barrett shout for him. The rest of the game, I find myself able to pay attention. It’s fast-paced and there is always something to watch. My squirrel brain listens to Cole and seems to actually be able to remember some of it. He never says the word daddy or uncle which intrigues me for a second before I lose that thread.
The whole arena is on their feet in the last thirty seconds. The game is tied up and the Ice
Kings have the puck. I find myself standing holding my arms around each boy as they stand on their seats to see. They score and the arena erupts with cheers. A siren sounds and Cole is screaming for them.
“It’s over Luci! They won!”
Even my heart was pounding with anticipation and I laugh at Barrett who also screams his joy.
We hang around as people leave. The boys are discussing the game and I sit back watching. We decide to move closer to the ice once it’s almost completely empty. The opposing team is gone and the Reed brothers are also missing. The boys move to the glass pointing to something out on the ice. I get a text from Easton as we wait.
Meet me outside by the team entrance. It’s on the left side of the arena under the Dr.
Pepper sign. Cole can’t come onto the ice today. I have to meet with Coach.
I cringe at that knowing it’s probably because I made him late. I explain and Cole is too happy to be upset.
We find the sign and see a few others lingering there. Mostly puck bunnies but I do see another family there. Maybe Kendall Young’s. There are a couple of benches, but I don’t want to get that close. Barrett and Cole are reenacting some of the hockey moves they saw.
Fifteen minutes later, Maxton Porter saunters through the door. His hair is still wet and he’s in light blue sweats with their logo. I pull the hood up over my ballcap, not wanting him to recognize me. He’s headed for the bunnies. Cole takes that moment to shout my name and
I watch his head slowly turn my way. I avert my face toward Barrett, but it’s too late. Coach
Humphries is also getting closer to the exit door. Saw his head inside the tunnel.
His voice suddenly comes from beside us. “Little mouse comes to the games. I don’t even have to go hunting.”
He has that unpleasant little smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. It gives me the creeps.
I spin to walk away, but he’s too fast. He grabs my arm painfully and turns me back to face him.
Luci stood there, her heart racing as Maxton’s grip tightened around her wrist. “You’re usually just bad luck, you know that? We managed to win today, but Easton was late at the start. He had to sit out because of you. Maybe it’s your fault,” he growled, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and malice. Panic surged through me as I felt his fingers digging into my skin.
“Luci!” Barrett’s voice broke through the tension, sharp and urgent. In a moment of instinct, I stomped down hard on Maxton’s foot, the surprise in his eyes giving me a fleeting sense of power. I shoved him back, creating a space between us. Not again, I thought fiercely. Not with the littles watching. The last time, I had been too slow to react.
“You have no right to touch me!” I shot back, my voice trembling with rage and defiance.
Barrett, small and fierce, darted behind my legs, peering out with determination. He glanced at his tiny hands, his brow furrowing as he narrowed his eyes in defiance. “Not over, little mouse,” Maxton sneered, his voice dripping with contempt as he turned to stomp away. “MOVE!” he barked, but the girl in front of him seemed oblivious to his command. In a fit of frustration, he shoved her, and I winced as I heard her cry out, the sound piercing through the chaos. Instantly, her friends rushed to her side, concern etched on their faces.
“PORTER!” Coach Humphries’ voice thundered through the arena, cutting through the noise like a knife.
“Coach Humphries, he just pushed my daughter!” a woman exclaimed, her voice sharp and filled with indignation. “He needs to learn to control his temper.”
“It wasn’t my fault, Coach! Forrester caused it!” Maxton spat, his bravado faltering under the weight of the coach’s glare. I felt my own anger simmering as I glared back at him, unwilling to be intimidated.
“Sorry about that, Mira. I’ll take care of it. Please, take her through that door and have the team physician check her out,” Coach Humphries instructed, his tone firm but calm. They hurried off, leaving Maxton to face the consequences of his actions.
“That was Kendall’s cousin, you absolute idiot! And Mira will call the dean, who happens to be family. You’re suspended for three games. Get out of here and don’t even think about showing up for practice until I say so!” Humphries’ voice was a low growl, filled with authority and disappointment.