Page 121 of Treacherous
“Who’s afraid of little old me? You should be,”
The lyrics pound in my ears as my calloused fingers play with the hemline of my jersey. Thirteen–my favourite number–stitched into the front and back. Wearing a different jersey after years of donning the same colours feels weird, yet I find solace in it.
The Lakewood Hawks’ jersey is predominantly white, while the numbers are red with a black outline.
My pre-game routine hasn’t changed, despite, playing for a new team. Taylor Swift filtering through my ears, along with other upbeat power anthems to set the mood.
Nerves can grab hold of me before games, causing nausea to rule my body. It’s a terrible feeling and the more intense it grows, harder to becomes to shake.
I breathe in, inhaling the sweat and a tinge of my lavender perfume. The latter of which won’t last after I hit the ice. Everyone is sitting in their wooden cubby in the locker room, with many of my teammates fixing their equipment. I’m doing the same, tightening the laces on my skates.
The team migrates toward the middle of the room, forming an open circle in front of the coaches.
“Here we are, at the first game of the season. I know there are some nerves and excitement, but I believe in every single one of you.” Coach West says. “There is a long road ahead, so let’s take this game on and sort out our new combinations.”
Coach Harris takes over to inform us who is in the first line. “Toby: goalkeeper, Jayden: centre, Hayes: left defence, Conner: right defence, Aiden: left wing and Willow: right wing.”
Shivers shoot up my spine, a smile forming on my lips. I fight the urge to jump up and down with fucking joy. I’m starting during my first game for Lakewood. I didn’t see this coming, thinking I would be part of the second line.
Jayden did say during training that I was a chance to start but I didn’t believe him. Sam stands across from me with a bright smile. My brows furrow. Why is he happy that I stole his starting spot?
We grab our sticks on the way out of the locker room, walking through the tunnel and into Lakewood Arena. I’m third in line, behind Aiden and Jayden, who as captain leads us onto the ice.
The arena is packed, our home crowd coming out to support us in spades. Only three rows behind our bench sits Jaz, Theo and Cami. My best friend and sister jump to their feet, waving and yelling my name like crazy people.
I laugh, enjoying the happiness that settles throughout my body. In Nevada, I hated home games. With no one to support me, the sport can become lonely.
A continuous whistle draws my attention to the ice. All of us who are starting take our places, I’m on the right of Jayden and standing on the edge of the blue circle. Aiden mirrors my spot on the left side of the ice.
A yellow jersey appears in my peripheral vision, forcing me to look up. We are playing the Michigan Ravens, who narrowly lost their regional semi-final last season.
They will be a tough opponent but I watched some of their games yesterday and it seems they go out hard and fast but tire towards the end.
I look around the ice to see the final players from Michigan taking their spots, ready for the face-off. I suck in a deep breath, gripping my stick harder. I steady myself, anticipation nipping at my heart as I wait for the puck to drop.
The puck clatters against the ice, everyone acts instantly. Bodies collide, winning the puck being the priority. The opposing centre taps the puck and it speeds across the ice to his winger.
Hayes is into the action straight away, stealing the puck. I skate behind the goal we are defending, drawing defenders with me. Aiden glides past me and I quickly offload to him, confusing our opposition for a moment. That split second is crucial, providing Aiden the chance to pass the puck to Jayden.
I move up the left side of the ice with a Raven’s player following me. My gaze falls onto Jayden, who is about to be body checked. He shoots the puck toward goal, despite the pressure.
With the opposition shadowing me, I push myself harder and reach the puck first. Number six from the Raven checks me, a dull ache forming in my shoulder but that doesn’t stop me.Without deviating, I flick the puck and watch it slide straight into the goal.
Jayden skates to me. “Good goal, Rogers. Ready to go again?”
I smirk. “Always.”
***
The buzzer echoes in the arena as Toby blocks the Raven’s last-ditch attempt to score.
My chest rises, elation coursing through my tired and incredibly sore body. Everyone on the ice skates over to our goalie, congratulating him on the save. Winning the first game four to one is the perfect start to a season.
I skate off the ice, following the boys down the wide corridor and into the locker. Once our helmets are off, I can fully appreciate the smiles plastered on everyone’s face.
Winning is intoxicating–I strive to have this feeling invade me whenever I take the ice. I’m a true competitor, so winning is always the cherry on top.
I ditch my hockey sticks and gloves, before I pull skates off. Placing them into my duffle bag, I turn my attention back to Coach West. He has what I could only call a proud fatherly smile lighting up his face.
