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“Not going to make it shooting like that.” Luca chimes in.
“Guys, take a lap to warm up.” I tell them as I approach Alex.
Out of the corner of my eye I notice Lenny leaning over the boards to watch. I see how protective she is of him. I get it. I’m the same way when it comes to my sisters.
“Nervous?” I ask him quietly.
I don’t know if it’s something he’d want anyone else to hear. I wouldn’t if it was me. Alex nods and looks around.
“Anxiety?” I nod, not really asking.
“It’s not always bad. I choked when the scouts came. I haven’t had an attack since my first game I played in high school.” He shakes his head. “I’m just in my head, like shit I’m about to shoot against Nick Miller.”
I laugh. He’s more like his sister than I thought.
“Well, if you don’t go to Drexton Hall you may have to shoot against me at some point. Or in the NHL? How do you think that will feel?” He doesn’t answer but fear is written all over his face. “What do you normally do to get ready for a game? Do you have a routine?” He nods. “Get in that same headspace. Take a deep breath and let it out. Hum it out if you have to.”
I take that cue from Lenny. Her cute as fuck hum when she lets out that deep breath.
Alex quirks his eyebrow at me. He knows what I’m referring to.
“Before a game, I usually think of something that makes me feel happy,” I tell him my secret to preparing myself. “I let out whatever stress I have and just think of something good. Whether it’s my family, maybe a fun night I had, a girl.”Or your sister.“Got it?”
Alex nods and his demeanor immediately relaxes. He’s ready now.
I get Greg to help me pick up the rest of the pucks and sit back to watch Alex and Luca go one on one. Alex looks nervous at first.
“Maybe I can start with Greg?” He asks.
Greg laughs.
Luca looks good, I get it. He’s big, quick and has a sick talent to block, but Greg is the experience and the brains. They’re the dream team together. Alex has a better shot getting through Luca.
After about four rounds, he makes it right through to the goal. He was smart, quick footed and focused.
Next up is getting through Greg. It took him six tries. Then came my turn. He didn’t want to stop even after shooting ten times, but didn't make any in.
The kid is beat, and getting sloppy.
The girls are freezing by the time we stop. Except Lenny. She was on the edge of her seat the entire time. But that’s when I call it.
“Tomorrow. At ten in the morning, we’ll meet here again.” I assure him with a plan in mind.
Alex is so appreciative, he keeps thanking us over and over, and I could see the excitement in his eyes to get to do this again.
They all leave quickly to get the girls home and Luca mentions something about the girl he talked to earlier waiting for him.
I was him once. A different girl every night. Some repeats, but nothing ever serious.
Watching Luca do it makes me realize how much I don’t miss it. The flirting without any build up, the awkwardness of kissing when you’re really not into it, and the lying.
The“I’ll call you”or telling them they're different and better than the rest. They weren’t all lies, but the lines would just flow out without any emotion.
I hang back to shower, giving Greg and Layla some time alone in the house.
Taking my time, I pop in my earbuds to listen to some music while I head out only to be surprised by a hand tapping my shoulder.
I turn to find Lenny waiting for me in the hall.
