Page 23 of Well Played

As I steppedinto the arena, the familiar chill of the ice and the roar of the crowd washed over me. This was where I was meant to be. I was back in my element, the place where I wasn’t shy or awkward, but I was someone else entirely - the u mascot of the Glacier Bay Blizzards.

I adjusted the head of my polar bear suit, making sure it was secure before I waddled out onto the ice, my movements exaggerated as I got used to the bulk of the suit again. The crowd cheered as I made my way around the rink, as I waved and blew kisses, stirring up the crowd, ready for the team to take the ice.

As much as I loved the adoration of the fans, there was one person in particular I was looking forward to taunting tonight - my brother, Mason. I had promised Seth that I would not aggravate Mason, but he was my brother, and I had left him alone for the last few games. I didn’t want it to become obvious that something was wrong. Like making out with his best friend!

Mason had been growing increasingly frustrated with the Bears’ antics over the past few games, and I knew it was only a matter of time before he snapped completely. But tonight was the night. I was determined to be the one to push him over the edge.

Now, I love my brother. But I had years of being called Sprout, my brother blocking all of my boyfriends that managed to walk through the front door, however few there had been. Basically, this was my pay back for him being my older, annoying sibling, and the best bit was – he doesn’t know it’s me. As the game began, I kept a close eye on Mason, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. He was playing hard tonight; his face was set in a scowl of concentration as he defended his goal. But every time he turned that scowl onto the Bear, as I shuffled up and down the outside of the rink, I made sure to catch his eye, tilting my head in a mocking gesture or shaking my bear butt in his direction. I smiled as I could see the anger building in him, his jaw clenching and his eyes narrowing behind his black goalie mask.

It wasn't until the second period that I finally got the reaction I was looking for. Mason had just made a spectacular save, denying the opposing team a goal, and the crowd was on their feet, cheering wildly. I saw my chance and took it. I pretended I was him, my paws outstretched as I “saved” the puck. The crowd turned their attention onto me and not him. Not a good thing.

I could see the moment he lost control. With a roar, he lunged at me, his stick raised high. I tried to dodge out of the way, but I was too slow, weighed down by the bulky suit. Mason's stick clipped my leg, sending me sprawling across the ice in a heap of fur and padding. I was nose down and butt up as the crowd gasped. I lay there, stunned. I didn’t think he would do that. It was a low move and then I realised too late that I should have listed to Seth and left him alone.

I tried to stand; my knees unable to bend too much because of the suit. I slipped and slid ungracefully until, a familiar figure was at my side, kneeling down to check on me. Seth, his face tight with concern as he helped me to my feet, his hands gentle and reassuring.

"Crap. Take my hand. Are you okay?" he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

I nodded as tears formed behind my bear head. I didn’t trust myself to speak. I could see that Seth angry, his eyes narrowing as he turned to face Mason, who was standing a few feet away.

"What the hell, man?" Seth growled, taking a step towards him. "You could have seriously hurt someone!"

Mason's face twisted with rage, his fists clenching at his sides. "That stupid mascot has been asking for it all season," he spat. "It's about time someone put them in their place."

Seth's jaw clenched. Okay I did take it too far, and now Seth was going to take a swing at Mason because of me. I laid a paw on his arm, trying to signal him to let it go. Seth glanced at where I was touching him, shook his head, then looked at Mason, his voice cold and controlled. "You need to get your head on straight, Mason. This isn't about the mascot, it's about respect. And right now, you're not showing any."

Mason didn’t get a chance to respond. The referee was blowing his whistle, signalling for the game to continue as Seth turned to me. "You should probably get off the ice," he said, his voice softening. "We can handle things from here."

I nodded, wondering if my prank had cost my relationship with both my brother and Seth. I gave Seth's hand a quick squeeze, before I skated off towards the tunnel, the crowd clapping me off, as they booed Mason.

As I made my way back to the locker room, I tried to process everything that had just happened. I’d never meant for things to escalate, it was just a bit of fun, and I didn’t expect for Mason to actually lash out. I had only wanted to get under his skin, to push his buttons and see how far I could go.

Crackers. I need a do over.

The reality of what I had done began to sink in. I had risked my relationship with my brother, the one person who had always been there for me, even when I didn't deserve it.

I buried my face in my hands as the tear started to flow. I was not a crier, but this occasion called for it. I had thought that being the mascot would give me confidence to be myself without judgement. A way to have some fun. But it had really just been annoying Mason so much that I caused him to get angry and for the crowd to turn on him. I knew that would be the devastating for him. And it was all my fault.

A knock at the door startled me out of my thoughts, and I hastily wiped my eyes, trying to compose myself. "Come in," I called out, putting my voice lower than it needed to go.

Seth poked his head in, his face dropping as he saw my tears. "Hey," he said softly, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. "I just wanted to check on you."

I tried to smile, but it felt more like a grimace. "I'm fine," I lied, my voice breaking on the last word.

Seth crossed the room in two quick strides, pulling me into his arms. I stiffened for a moment, but then I melted into him, letting his warmth and strength envelop me.

"It's okay," he murmured, his hand stroking my back in soothing circles. "I've got you."

I clung to him, my face buried in his chest, breathing in the scent of his sweat. When I pulled back, my eyes were red and puffy, I wanted to say something but didn’t know what. Seth brushed a strand of hair back from my face, his fingers lingering on my cheek. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked softly.

I shook my head, as Seth nodded, understanding in his eyes. "Okay," he said. "But I'm here if you do."

I managed a watery smile. "Thank you," I whispered. "For helping me up."

Seth smiled, that crooked, heart-stopping grin that never failed to make my knees weak. "I couldn’t let me girl stay sprawled out on the ice, now, could I?" he said, his voice low and intimate.

His girl. I liked that. I liked it a lot.

We stayed like that for a few moments, just looking at each other, the air between us charged before I leaned up on my toes and pressed my lips to his. Then he took charge, as his lips pressed harder, more insistent, and I was lost in the taste and feel of him.

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