"Can we see it?" Wren asks.
Sophia laughs. "You'll see it once the video is done."
I wipe the confusion off Wren's face with a kiss to her cheek as Sophia turns back around.
We keep quiet most of the game as I watch Xavier and Grey with concentration as they shuffle on the ice. We’re in the lead during the first period against Fraser College, one of our more friendly opponents. We usually play against each other before the season starts just to get warmed up. It almost always ends with a fight – like all hockey games – but not any hard feelings. Most of the guys on my team went to high school with people on their team so we’re all familiar with each other.
During the first intermission, Wren peppers me with more hockey questions before another one of my friends turn up behind me in the queue for the vending machine. Charlie Jacobs is one of those guys that I don’t see often enough to call him one of my close friends, but I have seen him at nearly all the parties I went to over the past few months. He’s a cool guy but he doesn’t exactly fit in with my friendship group.
“Davis! I wasn’t expecting to see you today,” Charlie exclaims, running a hand through his blonde hair in disbelief. “It’s good to see you in daylight, man.”
I laugh nervously as Wren blinks up at me, twisting open the bottle of water. She moves closer to me as I watch her watch him. My friends are not at all like hers, so I wrap my arm around her shoulder, tugging her close to my side.
“Yeah, it’s good to see you too,” I reply finally. I look down to Wren fiddling with the plastic around the bottle. “This is my girlfriend, Wren. She skates. You should come to one of her performances sometime.”
“Jesus, I can talk y’know,” Wren murmurs as she looks up at me before turning back to Charlie, a smile playing on her lips. “But, yeah, I do skate. Don’t let Milesy bully you into coming.”
“No, I definitely will go.” Charlie laughs with a huge grin. Right answer. “You probably wouldn’t believe it, but I used to skate as a kid. I wasn’t very good, but I appreciate the sport.”
“You’re right. I wouldn’t have guessed,” Wren says. I can’t tell if she’s being sarcastic or not as she takes a sweep of his thrifted cream jeans and white knitted sweater. Charlie smiles at her and turns to me.
“Funny question, actually,” Charlie starts, rubbing the back of his neck. “If you’re dating Wren does that mean Em is single?”
“She’s been single for months, Charlie,” I huff. Wren does flinch at the mention of my ex. There’s not much of a story there to be told other than every guy on the team wanted her even when she was with me. “If you’re asking for my permission to date her then sure. I really couldn’t care less.”
“Okay, cool. It’s just - You looked like you would kill anyone that even looked at her when you were dating so I wanted to make sure.” Wren looks up at me with an evil smile and I can tell she’s going to make fun of me later.
“Yeah, well, I don’t care anymore. If you want to date her, go ahead,” I say finally. I know that Emily would eat him alive, but I don’t say that. “The game is starting up again. We better get back to our seats.”
I don’t let him say bye before I turn around with my arm still around Wren. She doesn’t say anything while walk up to the seats. She just sits with a happy expression on her face before I pick up her water and throw it in the trash. When I sit down, she places her hand on my thigh and my breathing stops. For someone who loves physical touch so much, whenever she touches me, it feels different. It feels like every nerve in my body is set on fire one by one.
It feels like a slow, torturing, perfect way to die.
“Jealousandprotective. Wow, Davis. You really are something,” she whispers into my ear. As she draws back, the smell of her clouds my thoughts and I don’t respond.
It would be too risky to tell her that I would protect her with my life. I would never let anything, or anyone hurt her. The game starts up again and I push away those feelings to focus on the players.
When we score another goal, Wren, and I both get out of our seats and cheer, the excitement completely taking over us. Chaos erupts around us as the stadium grows loud with chants and cheers. She jumps into my arm and hugs me tight. Her arms around my neck and my hands on my waist don’t feel strange or unnatural. They feel welcoming. Without thinking about it, I kiss her on the lips quickly before pulling away. I make sure to not make it any deeper than that. Only a peck. Her eyes widen in shock for a moment before she returns her celebratory smile to the rest of the team.
See.
This is easy.
We can do this.
*
The locker room is loud and chaotic when I walk in. Most of the guys are still in their jerseys, spraying water around as they whoop and yell. There is no better feeling than winning a game alongside your best friends. When they see me, they start cheering even louder.
“Look who decided to show up,” Harry announces, gesturing towards me, looking out of place in my jeans and hoodie.
“You guys did good. Could have been better if I was there though,” I laugh. Tyler Vaughan stalks towards me, patting me on the back.
“No need to get cocky, dude. You need to get back out there. This season is going to be a nightmare without you,” they say, rolling their eyes at the rest of the team before slipping away into the showers.
“It’s up to Coach. I’m still training and getting my head back in the game. Coach just needs to give me the all-clear,” I reply shrugging. All of the team nod in agreement, understanding why I haven’t been in the best shape.
Then Jake starts laughing hysterically from the corner of the room. Who the fuck does he think this is? Is he a villain in a kid's movie? Everyone’s heads to turn to him as he makes himself the centre of attention. Like always.
