Page 25 of Penalized Love

Not by a long shot.

I make a mental note to monitor what is going on between them. The last thing I want to do is pay more attention to Asher, but I’m drawn to doing so in this instance. As the team photographer, it’s my job to capture the highlights and the raw moments that tell the team’s story. Whether or not these photos are made public isn’t my decision, but at least we have them.

As practice winds down, I review my shots so far. Despite the rocky start and the unexpected run-in with Asher, I’m pleased with my work. The photos look great, and I can’t wait to see what Bailey thinks of them.

Dad calls the team over for a final huddle on the ice while I gather my equipment. As I’m doing so, I can hear Dad giving some last words of encouragement before dismissing everyone but Asher and Knox. I decide to check in with Bailey in her office before I head out too. I’ll talk to Dad later or grab dinner with him and Mom at home sometime this week.

To avoid running into any of the players, I dash out of the arena. Once I’m in my car with the doors locked, I take out myphone and ignore all the other notifications. I pull up my text messages and find the one that has been weighing on my mind since it appeared in my inbox.

Asher: Hey, Isla. Not sure if this is still your number, but thought it was worth a shot. Can we meet to talk?

I stare at Asher’s message, my thumb hovering over the screen. The temptation to delete it is there, but I know that won’t solve anything. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away, no matter how much I wish it would.

With a sigh, I toss my phone into the passenger seat and start the engine. Everything else can wait because I have a million and a half things to do.

Not to mention that today wasn’t just a practice run for the guys, but it was also one for me. After all, tomorrow is game day.

11

ISLA

Iwill go to my grave saying that there is nothing like game day. And if you disagree with me, you’re just wrong.

The energy in this arena crackles around me as I take another shot with my camera. I swear I can feel the adrenaline coming from the ice flowing through my veins, even though I’m not one of the players going after the puck. The crowd’s roars echo off the walls, but they fade into the background as I zero in on the action in the rink. My nerves are on high alert, being that this is the first game of the season that I am capturing, but I think I’m handling it well.

The other reason I’m slightly freaking out? Because of Asher Bennett.

I fix my gaze on him as he races down the ice. I pan my camera, tracking his movements while keeping my finger over the shutter button.

There’s a grace to his aggression, and I want to get it in all of its beauty.

Click. Click. Click.

I capture the moment his stick connects with the puck, sending it flying past the goalie’s outstretched glove. The redlight behind the net flashes, and the crowd erupts into a deafening roar. Asher briefly throws a fish up in triumph, and I can spy the smile that appears on his face.

Not only have I captured the image on my camera, but it’s also seared in my memory for life. There’s something so raw and unfiltered about this that I can’t even bring myself to hate Asher at this moment. What he did will help our team win, and that’s the bigger picture here.

Our team. I’m already referring to it as our team.

Not to mention, if I hadn’t taken photos of the scene before, I wouldn’t have been doing my job properly.

Several of the Red Wolves players swarm Asher as they celebrate the goal. I snap a few quick shots of their celebration, knowing these will be some of the most impactful images of the night.

As the team gets ready for the next face-off, I find Asher looking in my direction. I glance to my left and to my right to see if there is anyone next to me he might be watching, but when I look back at him, his gaze is still on me. He gives a quick nod of acknowledgment before turning away, and I’m left momentarily stunned.

What the hell was that all about?

I swallow hard and dig into my pocket for the Skittles I’ve stashed in there for emergencies such as this. Or just when I need a jolt of sugar. I toss a couple in my mouth and get back to the task at hand.

The game resumes, and I push any thoughts about Asher to the back of my mind. I readjust my stance and put my lens back through the photo hole to take more shots of the game.

A few more minutes pass before the buzzer signals the end of the second period, and the players skate off the ice. I lower my camera and take a deep breath before I grab a seat to review the photos I’ve taken so far. The screen on my camera lights up asI scroll through the images. I find myself analyzing each shot’s composition, lighting, and emotions.

One image was taken just seconds before he scored the goal. I study the image that shows his stick connecting with the puck and the goalie from the opposing team diving to make a save. The red light behind the net glows in the background, adding a dramatic flair to the shot.

I can’t stop smiling as I admire the beautiful photos I’ve captured. Sure, I might have been freaking out before I stepped foot in the arena today, but after working out some of the technical issues I had during practice, I have a clearer mind and more confidence in myself.

I check the scoreboard and realize we only have a few minutes before the third period starts. I quickly pop another Skittle in my mouth and head back to my position at the photo hole. Deep down, I know that eating this isn’t the best thing for my PCOS, but I’m choosing today to give myself a break.

---