Page 36 of Slap Shot Daddies

In your absence grows frigid and blue,

And with our hearts now blown,

What are we to do alone?

We don’t know what has scared you off more:

Whether our affection has made you run straight from your core,

But one thing’s clear and known for sure...

Even if that night was a bit of a blur…

Something’s left you frightened, stunned, and unsure.

So, Kenzie, please do know this: You don’t have to run.

I exhale slowly, feeling my heart thump a little more vigorously than I'd prefer, a testament to the weight of my words.

Yeah. This feels right.

I stow my notebook back in my bag and make my way to the nearest drugstore. There, I select a simple black picture frame, modest yet elegant, just enough to serve its purpose.

With the frame tucked securely under my arm, I head toward the ice rink, anticipation building within me as I prepare to present this heartfelt gesture to her.

I don’t tell the other guys about the poem.

Not because I think they’d make fun of me, though, okay, maybe a little bit because of that.

But more importantly, because I promised them I’d take the lead on this.

Kenzie requires a gentle, nuanced approach, and I'm convinced I'm the best man for the job.

Ambrose and Reggie rolled their eyes when I laid out my plan, yet they eventually came around. Ambrose, with his gruff demeanor and brooding intensity, is definitely not the right person to approach her first.

His presence is too overwhelming, and she's already acting like she's on edge around him. As for Reggie, he exudesconfidence and charm in spades, but I suspect Kenzie needs something more substantial than just lighthearted flirting right now.

I'm the sensitive one, the one who can earn her trust. And, truth be told, I enjoy being the person she confides in.

I can't help but smirk to myself, shaking my head as I imagine either of those two attempting to write a poem.

Ambrose would likely grunt out a terse haiku, while Reggie would concoct a limerick about whiskey and love, dripping with cleverness.

I chuckle quietly, gripping the picture frame tighter as I glide through the bustling streets on my skateboard, kicking up speed with each push.

Kenzie has no idea what she's getting into with us, but I’m determined to ensure she discovers exactly what we're all about.

The rink gradually comes into view, and I instinctively kick the tail of my skateboard up, deftly catching it as I transition onto the sidewalk.

As I step through the entrance, the crisp scent of freshly resurfaced ice mingling with the rubbery aroma of skate guards fills my lungs.

I navigate around a few early staff members, nodding in acknowledgment but keeping my gaze firmly fixed ahead.

My heart quickens its tempo with each stride, thumping in rhythm with my mounting nerves.

Kenzie’s office looms in my thoughts.

Under my arm, I shift the frame slightly, my fingers grazing the cool, smooth edges of the glass. Doubts swirl in my mind, this could be a foolish endeavor, or perhaps, the most brilliant one I've ever conceived.

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