Page 138 of Treacherous
The entire arena is up on their feet, cheering at Lakewood’s victory. Six to one, our best win of the season so far. The smile never leaves my face as we skate to the edge, then walk off the ice.
My eyes catch onto a group of young girls behind our bench. I look at their jerseys and suddenly I can’t breathe.
They are wearingmy number.
I wave at the girls, wincing slightly when the three of them scream my name. I move toward them. “Hey girls, what did you think of the game?”
“Oh my gosh, Dad! Willow Roger’s is right in front me,”
The older man next to the girls chuckles, and I can’t help but join in.
“I am. And I have to say I love your jerseys,”
All three girls beam at me, as if this was the best day of their lives.
“We love watching you play, and you are our favourite player, so we just had to get your jersey.”
My heart melts, tears pricking my eyes. These girls, who couldn’t be older than eleven, said I’m their favourite player. But more importantly, they get to watch someone likethem,a woman, play with and against men.
Now, that is a fucking legacy to leave.
This is why I wanted to play sport, for the young girls who have a dream but are scared to pursue it. I wanted to show them they can chase their dreams. I swallow. Maybe I still do.
“Do you three play?” I ask.
A different girl replies this time. “Yes, we play on the mixed team. But next year we might have enough to create a girls’ team and join that competition.”
I gasp, a surge of joy flooding my body. That was never an option for me when I was their age. “That’s amazing. How about I give your dad my number and we can organise a coaching session? I’d love to–”
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” All three girls are screaming once again.
I smile at their father, who looks in shock. “Are you sure? You would be so busy–”
I shake my head. “Nonsense. I love seeing girls so passionate about hockey.”
I chat to the girls and dad for a couple more minutes before Sam appears, telling me I need to come back into the shed.
I say goodbye to girls who are oozing with excitement for both a possible coaching session as well as their newly signed jerseys.
This could go down as the best day of my life.
When I enter the locker room, everyone congratulates me on my final shot. I relish in the praise. They appreciate me and the skills I bring to the team, which is all I’ve ever wanted.
The coaches give us a debrief, before everyone heads to the showers then into the parking lot. I was one of the last ones out of the shower and to arrive at the parking lot. I look around for Sam’s car but it is nowhere to be found.
“Willow.”
I grit my teeth but walk over to his car, nonetheless. “Jayden,” I scowl. “Where is Sam and Cooper?”
“I told them I’d take you back. We need to talk.”
My nostrils flare, anger bubbling in my blood. “Why would we do that? We talked about this on Thursday.”
“No, you talked and walked away.” He opens the passenger door. “Now, you can’t leave without hearing me out. Unless you jump out of a moving car, which you wouldn’t do.”
“Don’t be too sure.”
Jayden’s eyes spark, lips pursing. “Get in, Red.”
