Page 52 of Inside the Penalty Box

Lorelai let out a tiny laugh, and I looked over at her. “What?”

“Oh, nothing.”

“No, what is it?”

“Look at you. I never in a million years thought I’d ever see that look on your face over a hockey player.”

“What look?”

“This look…” Lorelai looked at the TV with a goofy look on her face, causing me to laugh.

“Shut up.”

“I won’t.” She, too, began laughing.

The game started, and I watched as Dylan made his way to his position, just as the commentator brought up everything that was going on in the news.

“Can they hear that?” I questioned.

Lorelai shook her head, and I watched as a questioning look came over her face.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Oh, this isn’t good.”

“What?”

“The team they are playing. It’s Novak’s team. Maybe this isn’t the game you should watch first.”

The two players faced off. We both watched as the puck was dropped. Dylan got control of the puck and passed it over to Knox. Knox passed it back to Dylan just as Novak came in and body checked Dylan right into the boards.

“Don’t tell me he’s going after him again,” Lorelai said under her breath.

Minutes later, Novak checked Dylan again, and then again for the third time. I could barely watch anymore as the next time he took a hit, he was down on the ice for a few minutes.

Halfway into the game, I’d had to run to the washroom, and when I came back the third period had just stared, the guys were losing 3 to 1, and I reached for another slice of pizza, taking my eyes off the screen for one second when Lorelai screamed.

“What? What is it?” I cried, adrenaline coursing through my veins. Dropping the slice of pizza back into the box, I looked up at the TV in time to see Dylan deliver a punch to Novak. The crowd went crazy as the two fought. Finally, they split, and one referee separated them, and that was when Novak went to punch, hitting the ref square in the face. Knox came in, pulling Dylan away.

“Oh this is bad,” Lorelai muttered as we both watched as the commentators once again brought up the fight between the two players from a year and a half ago.

* * *

My first hockey game turned out to be more exciting than I’d ever thought. Dylan had ended up in the sin bin, as Lorelai put it, more in this game than any other. The boys had lost, and Lorelai explained they had to win tonight if they were to go on to the finals. I almost felt like it was my fault they’d lost, even though I knew it wasn’t.

I rolled over and stared at the clock. I figured I’d have heard from Dylan by now. It was after midnight. The game had ended over two hours ago, but my phone had remained silent. I placed my book on my side table and was just about to reach up and shut off my book light when my door opened.

“You still awake?”

“Yeah.”

“Hear anything yet?” she asked, coming in and sitting on the end of my bed.

I’d always been thankful to have Lorelai in my life. She was always there when I needed her, but right now, all I wanted to do was talk to Dylan and find out exactly what had happened tonight and if he knew about the rumours that were running rampant.

“No,” I said, letting out a sigh.

“I talked to Phil a few minutes ago. He said Dylan’s pissed, so I’m sure he’s probably just blowing off steam with the guys. Don’t sweat it, he’ll message tomorrow.”

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