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I get the puck. Brooks yells at me to pass it to him, but their center is marking him. So, I decide to try my luck at a shot and go for the goal. Dodging the two defensemen and the right winger trying to tackle me, I send the puck flying towards the net.
Before I know it, boom! The puck soars right between the goalie’s legs. Looking a bit bitter that he didn’t score it himself, Brooks comes in for a high-five, and the final seconds of the last period finish with us victorious.
We head to the locker room under a shower of champagne improvised by the girlfriends and wives of the players. It’s directed towards me, and I appreciate it, especially being the newbie on the roster.
I called Dan earlier today to find out if he needed tickets. I want to look for him right now, but I need to get out of this gear and shower.
Dad was here earlier, but he headed out before the end of the game.
I exchange some banter with the other players and take a quick shower. I head out in a clean jersey, jeans, and sneakers, now ready to find Dan.
I search the crowd for Dan and attempt to make my way over to him, but I’m stopped every five seconds by fans wanting pictures.
I’m in the middle of a selfie with a bunch of dudes, when it’s Dan who finds me. I notice the woman he’s with and recognize her as his fiancé from the photos on his phone.
“Dude!” He shows me two thumbs up. “Every goal was awesome!”
I wave goodbye to the fans and clap Dan on the back. “Thanks, man. Is this your fiancé?” I ask.
“Yeah. Love, this is Andrew Connoly, right-winger for the Razorhawks and my best friend from high school. Andrew, this is Carla Thompson, my fiancé!”
“Nice to meet you.” I extend my hand.
She reaches out a hand wearing an expensive ring for me to shake.
“Nice to meet you too, Andrew.” She smiles all giddy.
The three of us look at each other for a second, then Dan breaks the ice. “What are you up to now, man? We should go get a drink.”
I nod in agreement, then pat myself looking for my phone. “I need to call my dad to check in on him, but otherwise I’m free. Just give me a second.”
“Cool, we’ll just fetch Emily and get out of here,” he says.
At the mention of her name, my heart quickens.
I look over my shoulder and watch as they walk back to the bleachers, and I see Emily sitting there looking at me.
She looks gorgeous even with her face half covered by a beanie and a scarf. In fact, she’s just as beautiful as I remember, still youthful and angelic and ready to be loved.
My heart thumps in my chest, and my hands go clammy with cold sweat. My fingers are shaking, and as I call dad, the phone trembles in my hand.
“I’m busy Andrew, what’s up?” My dad answers, and I hear a woman laugh in the background.
“Just checking in to say hi, old man. You didn’t stay until the end of the game.”
He says in a low voice, “I am finally trying out the online dating, son. Wish me luck.”
Holding back a snort, I do so and then hang up.
I turn around to see Emily standing by Dan’s side, a timid smile on her face. She tries to avoid looking at me but fails miserably.
“Where were you hiding?” I tease her now, going in for a hug.
Emily doesn’t hug me back, but you can’t blame me for trying.
I take a good whiff of her scent. She changed shampoo brands and perfumes, but it’s still the Emily I remember.
After a long while, she raises her arms and for a second, I believe she is going to return the hug, but she pushes me away.
