Page 64 of Jesse and the Ice Princess
17
Jesse
On game mornings, tradition was important. Hockey players were superstitious by nature, so they tended to follow the same routine.
Not like it helped them win.
Jesse sat on the bench in his workout clothes with his skates digging into the spongy floor. Saturday game days were the only days the team had the ice in the morning, the only time Charlotte didn't fill the arena with her cloud of determination.
He lifted his eyes to the empty stands, imagining the noise that would roar through the room during the game. For some guys on his team, it distracted them. The cheers energized Jesse, made him want to do better, be better.
"Jess!" Will called from the mouth of the tunnel. Eli appeared at his side, ever the quieter twin. When their dad announced he'd be out of town for the weekend, Jesse should have felt something. Annoyance, maybe?
But he'd never really expected his dad to come to the game.
Giving Cassie and Mary a break, he brought the twins to the rink for his morning skate. His friends wouldn't mind. Most of the team was sleeping in, not bothering to prepare for a game they already assumed they'd lose.
Will and Eli skated across the ice, looking like the natural he'd always been. Maybe it ran in the family.
"You boys ready to put me through my paces?"
They nodded, their faces serious. "We'll get you ready for the game." Will crossed his arms. "Get on the ice, Carrigan."
With a laugh, Jesse stepped out from the bench, ruffling Will's hair as he passed him.
"Starting without us?" Roman's voice boomed as he skated out with Damien.
Jesse wanted to hate Damien, to hold his date with Charlotte against him, but the kid was okay. And besides, he was one of the few guys on the team who could play.
Roman clapped him on the shoulder. "Someone looks pensive today."
"That's a big word for you, Rome." Jesse laughed, trying to dislodge the tension in his gut.
"I'm serious. What's wrong?"
"I tried. I've been trying all week."
"To do what?"
"To find a way for her to play with us." He met his friend's eyes. "We need her, Rome."
"Ah." Roman shared a look with Damien. "This is about Charlotte."
"Of course, it is. Everything is about her. I just..." He sighed. "I spent the last few days trying to come up with a solution, but here it is, the day of the game, and she won't be with us."
"I'm sorry, man. I know how much you want to win this game. Maybe we still can."
"We might win without her, but..."
"But it's not only about the game."
Jesse shook his head.
"What if we can change the time of the game?" Damien's words were so quiet, Jesse thought he misheard him.
"That's not possible," Roman scoffed. "People have bought tickets. Venice would have to agree to it. We have eight hours until game time."
Jesse watched his little brothers play around on the ice, wishing he could be as excited for the day.
