Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
“Dream about Jedi knights dressed in Christmas sweaters who have to make one for Darth Vader so he can join their party,” I tell him, chuckling as he drifts off.
He laughs sleepily. “Luci, I love you. Will you stay with me for a long time?” It’s questions like this that leave me unsure how to respond.
“That would be fun, wouldn’t it?” I say softly, but he’s already falling asleep, so thankfully my answer isn’t required. “Love you, Coco.”
Baker tells me to head home since I stayed late the night before.
As I step into my home, a flutter of excitement courses through me, and I quickly change into my fresh shirt and jeans. The anticipation builds as I drive towards the hockey rink, my heart racing with a mix of nerves and exhilaration. Upon arriving, I take a deep breath, my eyes scanning the surroundings as I enter through the team entrance. This is it. I pull out my phone and text Easton.
“Follow the blue lights.”
I spot the glowing blue lights on the wall and make my way toward the player’s entrance. My heart beats a little faster as I approach the player’s bench, softly calling out his name. The rink is dimly lit, with only a portion of the ice and the stands illuminated.
He glides in from the side, clad in a green pullover and jeans that accentuate his athletic frame. “Come sit, Luci,” he invites, his voice warm and welcoming.
I take a seat as he kneels down, carefully removing my boots and replacing them with skates.
“Umm, Easton, I really don’t know how to skate,” I admit, a hint of apprehension in my voice.
He looks up at me, a reassuring smile on his face as he ties the laces. “I know. That’s why I’m here-to teach you.” Once he finishes with the second skate, he helps me to my feet. “See? You look great in those.” His compliment makes me blush as he leads me onto the ice.
Facing me, he gently holds my waist, his touch sending a small thrill through me. “First, just stand and get a feel for the skates. Look at me, and keep your knees slightly bent. Make sure your shoulders and hips are aligned over your feet.” He adjusts my stance, and I can’t help but giggle at the awkwardness of it all. “Now, lift your knees and feet as if you’re marching. After each step, push your knee toward me. You’ll glide. Just keep repeating that until you get the hang of it.”
“Are you really sure you want to do this?” I ask, a bit uncertain.
“Absolutely. I thought you might enjoy it. Don’t worry; I won’t let you fall.”
With a nod, I follow his instructions, and it isn’t long before I’m gliding forward, a wave of exhilaration washing over me. “I’m moving!” I exclaim, my excitement bubbling over.
“Yes, sweetness, you are!” He laughs, his joy infectious. He continues to guide me, and after what feels like just a short while, I’m swizzling my feet, pushing off and gliding with confidence.
“Are you enjoying this?” he asks, his eyes sparkling with delight.
“Yes! I’m sorry if this isn’t too entertaining for you,” I apologize, feeling a bit guilty.
“Not at all. I love this. Sharing something I’m passionate about with someone willing to give it a try is truly special. Teaching Cole to skate was one of the most rewarding experiences for me. If they love it too, that’s just a bonus.” For a moment, I see a glimpse of his vulnerability, a side of him that he rarely shows. “You didn’t hesitate to join me today.”
“Because it means so much to you. Hockey, skating… it’s your passion,” I respond honestly.
“Yeah, it really is.” He presses his lips together, contemplating something. “Can you balance for a minute? I want to grab something from the bench, but I left the remote there.”
“I’ll try,” I say, stretching my arms out just as he showed me. He skates away slowly, glancing back with a grin. “I’m a pro at falling on my ass. You can go,” I joke, and his laughter warms my heart. It’s rare to hear him laugh so freely.
The lights shift slightly, and Easton skates back toward me, the sound of music filling the air. He glances at me, a playful smile on his lips. “Want to dance with me? Our first dance on ice? This is our song, anyway.” He takes my hands, guiding them to his shoulders while wrapping his arms around my waist.
“It is?” I ask, feigning ignorance before recalling our earlier conversation. “Oh, the boys’ dance party…”
He nods, his eyes twinkling. “Right. I had to show my son that I can dance with you. I believe the rules state it must be your song. Plus, it was on your playlist. Must be a Luci favorite.”
“I do enjoy it,” I admit as he helps me maneuver my feet in a makeshift waltz on the ice. I can’t help but laugh when I nearly lose my balance. “Is there a type of hockey where you can land on your tail and still move the puck with your hand?”
“Close enough! I’ll teach you how to play. I bet Luci Forrester has a killer snap shot.”
“Mmm, I’m pretty sure I’ll suck at it. Baseball during PE was definitely not my strong suit.”
He bursts out laughing.
“Because baseball is as boring as watching paint dry, and you probably lost focus constantly. You said hockey keeps your attention. But if you aren’t good, that’s fine. I’ll have fun betting you for things I want.”
“Aha, the true motives of Easton Reed are laid bare,” I tease, and without warning, he lifts me by my waist, skating backward. I gasp in surprise, and his laughter echoes around us.
“I never hid them! But we have to get going. They’ll be locking up soon, and I lost track of time.” He skates me back to the player’s bench, and I begin to remove my skates. “Where do these need to go?”
“Home with you,” he replies, changing out of his skates. He takes mine from me to attach the guards, swinging both over his shoulder before grabbing my hand to lead us out.
“You bought me skates? What if I hated it?”
He shrugs, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “I was hopeful. How about I swing by the late-night coffee shop, grab some hot chocolate, and meet you at your place to wrap up this date?”
“I like that idea,” I say, feeling my heart flutter as he helps me into my car.
“I’ll be ten minutes behind you, sweetness. Go get barefoot.”
A few minutes later, there’s a knock at my door, and when I open it, he hands me a large cup of hot chocolate. “Maybe you can come skate with me and Cole one weekend. He loves it.”