Page 41 of Fear of Falling

“Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the Fortress!”

The voice yelled through the speaker. All around us fans cheered. Someone two rows above us let out an ear-piercing whistle. The shift in the air had me sitting up in excitement.

Now this is what I was looking forward to.

“Let's hear it for the New York Huskies!” The announcer barely got the words out before everyone booed as the opposing team skated onto the ice. Players in red and white skated by the plexiglass in front of us. We were so close, that if I leaned just a tad closer, I’d hear their skates carving up the ice.

“Damn these seats are good,” Tasha remarked. All I could do was nod, feeling speechless in the moment.

“Now, for your home team!”

If I thought the booing was loud, it was nothing compared to the sounds that erupted from the crowd now. The whole arena shook as players from the Knights came out onto the ice. There was this electric feeling that seemed to encase the place at the sight of them. For a brief moment, I understood Wyatt’s love for playing hockey in front of hundreds of fans. The feeling was almost addictive.

Next to me, Mila stood up. Anyone who wasn’t already standing, got to their feet as the final three players prepared to skate onto the ice. Both Tasha and I followed her lead. My eyes were glued to the entrance as I waited for a glimpse of Wyatt.

“Give it up for the man who leads the league in record assists…your left winger…Bryton Young!”

Beside me, Mila cupped her hands around her mouth and let out the loudest cheer I’d ever heard from someone. It sounded like a 6’3 bear of a man, not a 5’6 woman who looked like she radiated sunshine. I leaned into Tasha as Mila continued screaming bloody murder as number 25 skated onto the ice.

Bryton skated over to the plexiglass in front of us, slowing down just enough to blow a kiss at Mila through his helmet. He wasn’t my boyfriend but even I wanted to swoon at the gesture.

“God he’s the sweetest,” Mila said as she stared after her boyfriend with the brightest smile.

“Now give it up for the beast on the ice…your right winger…Trevor Hall!”

The floor shook beneath my feet as number 18 came onto the ice. Hall was known for being an absolute beast on the ice. Most games saw him sent to the box for hitting another player. If there’s anyone you want defending you on the ice, it's Hall.

Despite his size, he glided gracefully across the ice. I smiled as he approached the plexiglass. He gave me a small nod, but his eyes quickly passed over me, landing squarely on my best friend.

I watched as Trevor eyed Tasha before winking at her. He may have been wearing a helmet, but I could see the glint clearly in his eyes before he skated off.

I glanced over at Tasha and found her staring after Trevor with a slight frown. It was a look she had when she was contemplating something. I wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or not. Before I could tease her about it, the announcer spoke again, drawing my attention back to the rink.

A wave of exhilaration washed over me, knowing there was one player left to come onto the ice. The air around us seemed to shift into somethingmore. It was a feeling I’ve never experienced before—and it was something I would never forget.

“And finally, your star player…captain of the Knights…”

I held my breath.

“Wyatt Boone!”

I’m pretty sure I lost a good chunk of my hearing at that moment. It felt like an earthquake as every single fan in the arena lost it. It took me a second to get my bearings before I quickly followed suit. I screamed along with everyone else as number 8 came onto the ice.

My whole body trembled as Wyatt skated around the ice, my eyes glued to his athletic form as his teammates clapped him on his back as he passed. As Wyatt skated towards me, I think I forgot to breathe.

He slowed just enough for me to catch the wide smile and wink he gave me. All I could see was him—everything and everyone else faded away. All I could do was stand there and stare at him, mouth wide open, before he took off in the other direction. My legs felt like Jello as I stared after him. I was in a complete haze as I lowered myself into my seat, before my legs gave out.

My entire body felt like it was electrified.

“Did you see that wink!” I barely heard Mila squeal beside me, still reeling from said wink. Both her and Tasha grinned at me, nudging me with their elbows as I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face.

I’d always thought the face-off looked intense. Two players fighting for the puck, trying to get it to their own teammates. Our seats were off to the side a little so we weren’t head on to the fray, but I could see Wyatt facing off against another player. Hockey stick out, legs bent slightly, waiting for the ref to drop the puck.

The second he released it; they were there fighting for it. It only took a few seconds for him to come away with the puck, sending it towards one of his teammates.

I sat there, wide-eyed, watching some of the best athletes in the world play. Wyatt’s powerful legs propelled him across the ice at a speed that seemed even faster in person than on the television. Trevor and Bryton were close behind him as they moved the puck back and forth between them.

I was mesmerized watching the trio. The three of them skated as if they were one, each of them instinctively knowing where the other was at all times. Trevor sent the puck in Wyatt’s direction with a simple flick of his wrist and Wyatt was there instantly to grab it. Behind them Bryton was fending off other players trying to steal the puck.

---