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Millie holds her hand out toward me and after a second, I take it. I can’t help but be intrigued by her and she seems harmless enough. Her effervescent energy is enough to put anyone at ease.
“Nice to meet you, Millie Kennedy,” I say, mimicking her style of introduction. “Yes, I’m Thea Jenson, also nineteen, and nutrition and dietetics major. I’m intrigued where you got your intel from.”
“Don’t sweat it, it’s nothing too sinister. Dr. Carmichael is my advisor, and she told me today’s your first day. Well, been there, done that last year and girl, let me tell you, a solo dining hall experience is not for the fainthearted. So, here I am, your knight—I mean lady—in shining armor, ready to rescue you from the horror.”
“Well, thank you. It’s nice to be rescued I guess, especially since my brother and roommates can’t come to my aid.” I may be joking with my response, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t relieved by Millie’s impromptu introduction.
“Ah yes, Jude Jenson, Nolan Fisher, and Devon Cooper, all star players on Northport’s ice hockey team. And of course, not to mention the enigma himself, Mr. Kyler Rose, amiright?”
It’s obvious Dr. Carmichael gave Millie more than just the bare bones of my arrival at NU, given she knows who I live with. I find myself grateful someone else is happy to look out for me. It also doesn’t escape my notice Millie has described Kyler as an enigma. It’s a relief it’s not just me who can’t work the guy out—he’s clearly left his mark on his fellow students here and I wonder if Millie can shed any light on my fourth roommate.
“Yeah, what’s with Kyler? I’ve been here for five days and met him once. Like, he’s never at the house. I hardly see him.”
Millie shrugs as she finishes her salad, and then opens a candy bar and takes a bite. She seems to contemplate her answer and doesn’t offer any information until she’s finished chewing.
“Honestly, you know about as much about him as the rest of us. He turns up for classes, goes to practice when required and then disappears off campus. Some have seen him working behind a bar on the Boardwalk, but other than that, he keeps to him?—”
“Self,” I finish for her. This seems to be the standard MO for describing Kyler. I wonder if anyone actually knows anything about him, apart from what I’ve already learned.
Millie gives a knowing smile before continuing. “He’s hot though, huh?”
“I hadn’t noticed,” I tell her honestly.
“Oh please, you can tell yourself whatever you want, but don’t tell me you just didn’t want to run your hands through his mussed-up hair and lose yourself in those dreamy green eyes of his?”
I can’t tell if Millie is joking or not, but I know a lady who doth protests too much is a lady guilty of her crimes.
“Sure,” I say with a roll of the eyes and a smile. “If only I had enough time to do that in the brief meeting I had with him four days ago.”
“Well, at least you had a meeting. Some of us are still waiting for the honor.” She pauses before continuing. “I’m kidding, of course.”
Millie stands up with her empty tray and I follow her, getting ready to go to my next class.
“Hey, you want to head down to the Boardwalk after class? They have the best crab shack there and I feel it’s a rite of passage every new resident has to try it out.”
“Sure,” I say. “But I need to drop by the rink first to let my brother know. He’s my ride or die at the moment.”
“So, we’ll invite him and the others along. The more the merrier. Here, take my number. Text me when you’re done, and I’ll meet you.”
She reads out her number and I program it into my phone, then send her a text so she has my contact details. She waves and whirlwinds toward the drama building, leaving me thankful I’ve found a new friend.
* * *
A few hours later, Millie and I walk into the rink. It’s clear practice is winding up, but not before the coach has the team doing a few more drills on the ice. I’ve seen the team play before so know what to expect, but I find my eyes are drawn to the figure at the end of the group. He’s easily in the lead and skating as if his life depends on it. The name “Rose” on the back of his shirt tells me all I need to know.
“Like I said, an enigma,” Millie says quietly. “Elusive during the day but a demon on the ice. He owns this team, and they all know it.”
I continue watching, my eyes drawn to this guy who’s so adept, so lightweight on his feet. He’s a dichotomy on the ice—like a hardcore figure skater—making every corner, every stroke of his blade look featherweight. He has the focus and determination of someone who will take no prisoners and won’t stop until the puck hits the back of the net. To say I’m mesmerized is an understatement. Even Jude doesn’t hold my attention this strongly when he’s playing.
The coach blows his whistle to signify the end of training and the players congregate at the edge of the rink, with Kyler being the last to pull up. Even now, he stands slightly separate to the others, refraining from the back patting at the great session they’ve just had. Slowly he removes his helmet and shakes his head and immediately I’m taken back to Millie’s comments at lunch. She’s right, his hair does need taming but it’s because it’s wet and sweaty from training. When he looks up and our eyes meet, I realize Millie’s clearly undersold them. They’re the type that can pierce you to the spot, like a dagger to the heart with one fleeting glance, and while I can’t comment on the beauty of their shade of green from this distance, I already know they are the type of eyes that will take no prisoners. Maybe it’s a good thing he’s elusive because I, for one, cannot afford to be distracted.
Damn, Millie was right about him.
four
Kyler
The on-ice workout our captain put us through was brutal. The first day of pre-season always is, because none of us actually do anything worthwhile over the summer except sit around and play video games all day or work. I worked more than I sat around, but the result is still the same. The timed line drill about killed me but I loved knowing I’m still the fastest on the ice. I know our captain means well starting us off like this, but damn, it would’ve been nice to ease my muscles back into shape. Once practice starts, we’ll focus on plays, strategy, and going for the power play kill. Our team has one goal: to bring Northport a national championship.
