Page 137 of Treacherous
This is going to be a long day.
***
An incessant knocking on my bedroom door forces me to fall out of focus. My eyes flick to the time in the corner of my laptop. Shit, it’s after four, I need to go.
Someone knocks on my door. “Willow, it’s Cooper. We are about to head to the arena.”
“Okay. I’ll be five minutes. Just need to change,”
“Cool. Sam and I are waiting for you.”
I dash to my wardrobe, pulling my game day jumpsuit out to change into. I swing my game day duffle bag over my shoulder and head downstairs, where Coops and Sam are waiting.
“Sorry, I lost track of time. These assessments are kicking my ass.”
The two boys smile, reassuring me that it is fine. We head to the car, where Sam drives and Cooper, like the good guy he is, offers me the front seat.
“So,” Sam begins. “What’s going on with you and Jayden?”
I choke. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you are barely looking at him unless it concerns hockey. Is everything okay?”
“It’s fine. Just our usual disagreements,”
I keep it short, sweet, and blunt. Even though I know these boys wouldn’t fuck me over, I don’t want anyone to find out about Jayden and I nearly kissing. The last thing I need is a repeat of Nevada. I’m at Lakewood to play hockey competitively for what could be the last time. Nothing will be stopping me from winning.
Cooper and Sam seem to pick up that I don’t want to talk about Jayden, letting the conversation drift to another topic. It isn’t long before we are entering Lakewood Arena.
I used to hate home games because I never had anyone in the stands supporting me. But now, I have my best friend and her boyfriend, plus the friends I’ve picked up since arriving.
When I enter the locker room, most of the boys are changed and ready for warm up. I take my jumpsuit off and change into my jersey and pants.
I always have a sports bra and bike shorts underneath, so it doesn’t bother me when I have to strip in the sheds.
I sit down to pull my skates on before joining my teammates on the ice for our warmup. Nerves flutter inside me as I complete my stretches.
We are playing St Mary’s University, who are from Minnesota. They’ve played well this season, however, I believe Lakewood is much stronger team. We are sitting first place in the division with a record of three wins and no losses.
Coach West’s voice snaps me back into the present. All of us skate over to the edge of the rink and head back into the locker room after his direction.
Everyone has their game faces on as Coach gives us a pre-game pep talk.
All of us that are starting head onto the ice to take our starting positions. I huff out a breath as I stand opposite to my opponent. A smile forms on my lips.
I need this win.
***
Igrip my hockey stick tighter, swinging it past my shoulders.
I have a clear view of the goal, the goalie being the only thing in my way. I whack the puck hard, executing a slap shot better than I ever have.
The crack from my stick hitting the puck reverberates throughout the arena. My chest constricts as the puck flies towards the goal, relief and elation engulfing me when it slides into the net.
The buzzer blares, signalling the end of the game. Cooper and Sam skate over to me, before wrapping their arms around me. I can’t hold back my laugh.
“A breakaway! That was fucking awesome!” Cooper says, though it borders on a scream.
