When I got home, Moose was playing Xbox. I shook my head and took a seat beside him on the couch.
“Mind if I do my homework here? Or is it going to interrupt your precious Call of Duty?” I grumbled.
“Hellsss no, go for it.” He offered. “How was your first day, Miss crabby pants?”
“Fine!” I said.
“Fine?” He raised his eyebrow with suspicion. “I know you a little better than that. What exactly was FINE about it?”
“Joe Sim,” I informed him. ”I swear he has a stick stuck up his ass,” I threatened. “If he doesn’t watch himself with me, I’m going to make sure it’s so far up there that it comes out his nostrils.”
He burst out laughing. “Chill on violence Chris. Want me to talk to him?”
“No, don’t you dare.” I said firmly. “I will handle him myself. I don’t want you to go around fighting my battles for me. It’s hard enough trying to fit in without the guys thinking that I whine.” I sneered at him.
“Alright, but if it gets to be to much you better tell me.” He asserted. He was the team captain, and it was part of his job to make sure all of us tried to get along - for the team’s sake.
When Cathy got home from work, we went out for dinner. She had wanted to spend some time getting to know me. We talked about what it was like for me growing up in a small town, and playing hockey. She told me that she had one son. He was married and had one kid. She never got to see him, because he lived with his wife’s family on the east coast.
Apparently, they had the kid when he was fifteen and his girlfriend was sixteen. They married because it was the right thing to do. She wished she could see them more. She told me how excited she was that I was living there and made me promise that her and I would have lots of bonding days, as many as we could. She was a very nice woman, pleasant and kind. I liked her a lot.
The day felt long to me. I was tired. I couldn’t wait to crawl into bed. Thankfully, I didn’t have any nightmares that woke Moose up that night.
Meet and Greet
This week we had our first ‘Meet & Greet’. I was told it was for the season ticket holders. It was a way for the fans to meet the new players, and say welcome back to the returning ones. It would be held inside the west end of the arena, after our Wednesday night practice.
Moose told me it was kind of fun, and not to worry about it. It was nice to sit and sign autographs for the fans. It showed the team that they were appreciated.
I was still apprehensive for it. I wondered what the fans would think of me. They hadn’t gotten a chance to see me play yet. I hadn’t been able to prove myself to them. I was concerned what they would think when they saw me sitting amongst my teammates, sticking out like a sore thumb. The only girl.
The newspaper had written an article about me the week of training camp. I felt it didn’t paint the full picture. In the article it said that I was a very skilled player, and worked hard during the training camp. The writer of the article still didn’t feel the OHL was the right place for a girl though. I hoped the fans wouldn’t see it the same way.
After practice that Wednesday, we all showered and changed into our street clothes. We were given our new team jersey’s and put them on. I was lucky enough to get my lucky number 16. Same number Toby Chalke wore when he played for Philadelphia.
We walked into the room one by one, as the MC for the dinner announced us. Most players received loud claps and cheers. When my name and number was called, the cheers and claps were no where near as loud as they were for the other players. I took my seat at the long table between Josh Fuller and Chris Brantford.
I was told it was the team booster club that had arranged this dinner. I thought that was a nice thing for them to do for the fans, and for us. The fans were still eating their dinner and watching us closely. I received a few dirty looks from several girls around my age. They must be puck bunnies, I thought to myself. The team owner got up and made a nice ten minute speech.
He talked about what he expected for the season. He mentioned that he was fully supportive of having me as a player on his team. He hoped that it would inspire other young female players. He also mentioned that I showed great promise. He spoke about how Ben Killerman was a great judge of talent. That seemed to get claps. Then Ben got up and introduced his coaching staff and team trainers. He gave a three minute speech and after that, the fans were invited up to get our autographs and take photographs of us.
It was enjoyable. I liked meeting the fans young and old. Some of the young girls were inspired to see a girl on the team. That put me in high spirits for the rest of the evening, even with the dirty looks some of the puck bunnies were giving me.
My wrist was sore by the end of the evening. I had signed so many photos, papers, books, programs and jerseys. My eyes were readjusting to the lighting after all the pictures of us were taken.
Coach had mentioned before hand that our team did an awful lot of charity work as well, so we had all better get used to making public appearances. He felt it was extremely important for all of us to give back to the community which supported us. I had to agree. I was looking forward to the charity work and going to the schools to talk to the kids. I knew it came with the territory. When you put on a OHL jersey, or any CHL jersey for that matter; you need to take that responsibility seriously. You suddenly become a role model for kids.
The meet & greet finished by 10:00 p.m. Some of the players were going out to the bars. None of them invited me of course. That was alright with me. I wouldn’t have went with them. I wasn’t of age to get into the bars. Although the drinking age here was a lot younger than where I was from. In the U.S. the age is twenty-one, here it was only nineteen.
I went back to my billet’s house and wrote my parents an email about the event that had just transpired. Then I decided to read a book before curling up to sleep. I had a rough sleep. I must have tossed and turned throughout the night. When I woke up in the morning, all my blankets and pillows were scattered around the room. I chuckled to myself when I saw the mess.
We had no practice today, but tomorrow it would be at 6:00 a.m. Today I would focus on school and make sure I got all my homework done. I was trying really hard to make sure I was able to keep my grades up. It was a lot harder than I imagined it would be to find the time for studying. I still didn’t have much of a social life. Between hockey, school and working out, I didn’t see how I could maintain a social life - even if I wanted one.
Halfway through my usual two-hour studying session, is when I started to daydream. I was thinking about Alex. There was something about him. The way he smiled at me. The way he spoke. The way he smelled. Even after a two hour practice he smelt good to me. Sweaty but musky. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I knew I shouldn’t be. He was my teammate. I was here to play hockey, not get a boyfriend. However, he seemed to consume my thoughts.
Why did he have to be on my team? He probably didn’t think I was pretty either. Mom always said I was beautiful, but she was my mother. Didn’t she have to tell me things like that?
I was pretty sure Alex was flirting with me all the time, but maybe I was only seeing it because I wanted to see it? I had to forget about him.
I knew what I wanted out of my life – hockey!
It was hard for me to imagine my world without it. I knew I had to take any feelings I had for Alex and lock them away. Nothing, I would allow nothing to stand in my way of hockey.
Standing My Ground
The next morning coach had called a 6:00 a.m. practice. After practice I would have to rush to school. The team had an arrangement with the school, because we had to miss so much of it for games and practices. However, that didn’t mean we could let our grades slip. The team took our marks in school seriously.
Practice was backbreaking. Coach worked us hard. Joe Sim, of course, seemed to be giving me a hard time as usual. Moose and coach noticed. However, they didn’t do or say anything. I figured they were waiting to see how I handled it myse
lf.
After the third time Joe drilled me into the boards, I was pissed. I saw him coming at me again out of the corner of my eye. I raised my elbow and nailed him in the face.
“What the hell was that for?” He snapped at me.
“Hey it’s not my fault that you ran into my elbow with your chin.” I hissed.
“ Bookmark!” He muffled under his breath. (a bookmark as far as I knew, was the player who always stayed on the bench during games, basically separating the forwards and the defense) I was fuming mad.
“Yeah, you’re real tough for a guy who’s dick doesn’t touch his underwear.” I hollered loud for all to hear and skated away.
I saw coach, Moose and several of the other guys snickering. If I was going to fit in with this team, I better start dishing out the chirps.
Coach called us all in after the practice to talk about the preseason games, and what to expect. He informed us that we would have a team dinner in two days. After the dinner I knew there was a rookie party planned by the guys.
I was nervous about going. Moose had told me some of the things that happens at the rookie parties and it had shocked me. Moose had promised me that he would not drink during the party and take care of me. Many of the players were not happy at all that I would be attending the rookie party. They were upset that they had to leave out some of the things they would normally do to embarrass the guys.
After practice I returned to school and went to all my classes. I was dreading history with Joe. He was probably still mad at me for what had transpired during morning practice.
I walked into class and took my seat. I arrived before he did. He scowled at me as he passed me to take his seat. He ignored me through the entire class. Not one kick to the back of my chair.
Every so often I heard him mumble under his breath. I assumed it was insults directed towards me. He was too quiet. I couldn’t make it out. Maybe he would stay off my back, now that I had stood my ground with him.
When I got home after school, I took advantage of the empty house and did all my homework. I emailed my family to let them know how things were going. I made it sound like I had no time for anything except hockey and school. I didn’t want them worrying about me going out and partying. I told them how much I enjoyed my dinner bonding with Cathy Peat. That would make my mother feel good, since she couldn’t be here with me. I hit send and walked up to the kitchen. I grabbed some munchies to tied me over until dinner.
I decided on a bag of chips and flopped on the couch. I really should have gone running, but I just wasn’t feeling it today. I turned on a movie and fell asleep on the couch.
Next thing I knew, I woke up to someone sitting on me, plugging my nose and mouth. I rocked awake and pushed the person off. It was Myles.
“Get off me fatass!” I snarled.
“That’s what you get for hogging the couch,” he joked. “Scoot over, Sweetie.”
I sat up and noticed that about five of my teammates were gathered around the pool table. Moose had mentioned that sometimes the guys hung out at the Peat’s home. I suppose I would have to get use to it. I was feeling very tired still, so I excused myself and went into my room. I heard Myles ask Moose what was wrong with me.
“I think that she’s just tired. She hasn’t been sleeping well,” he explained. “I think she’s starting to feel the stress and the home sickness.” It was nice of Moose to cover for me. I think he knew there was more to it than that.
“Awe, that sucks. She seems like a good kid. It’s just weird having a girl on the team.” I heard Brett Welsh (Wellie) say from the other room.
“I think she’s actually pretty cool, and smokin’ hot; you have to admit she has a rockin’ body. She seems to know when and how to stand up for herself.” Myles mused. “Did you see her today with Sim?”
I heard them all laugh “That was brutal.” Moose agreed.
“Yeah that was gut splitting. I have to agree with Coop, she is hot.” Welsh chimed in.
“Guys, back off. She’s our teammate. That means we need to treat her with respect. You can’t be thinking about her in that way. She’s not one of the girls who you just hook up with,” I heard Moose explaining to them.
“Whoah! A little touchy there Moose! You’re not trying to hit that ass are ya?” Welsh jeered.
“You know I’m not Wellie. She’s like a little sister”. Moose answered.
“We know that Moose.” Myles shot back. “It’s just she’s gorgeous, definitely a 10. It’s hard not to notice. You weren’t at the weigh in with her, I was. I know for fact her body is amazing.”
I was thinking Myles needed to have his head examined if he thought I was a 10.
I must have fallen asleep shortly after that. I didn’t remember hearing more of their conversation. No one woke me up for dinner either, so I slept right threw the night. Again no yelling or screaming. Thank God!
School the next day was uneventful. That is until in History when the teacher forced us into pairs for a special project. Of course, she paired Joe with me, because she knew that we both played for the Gophers. She must have figured it would be best if he and I worked together. If she only knew how bad of an idea that was going to be. Lovely!
I looked at Joe, and he looked as upset as I was about this pairing.
“Joe, let’s just get this project over with as fast as we can.” I suggested. He agreed nodding his head. “Why don’t you come over to my place after school and we can work on it until we get it finished. This way it’s only one night that we have to deal with each other.”
“Fine by me,” he said. “Meet me in front of the school by the sidewalk after your last class.”
I was late leaving my last class. The teacher wanted to finish assigning us our homework.” I noticed Joe’s demeanor as I approached. He seemed to be in a slightly better mood.
“How do you like your billets?” He questioned me curiously.
“My billets are awesome. They are never home. Moose and I pretty much do whatever we want. How about yours?” I inquired.
“I don’t like my billets at all.” He informed me. “I don’t have a roommate either.”
“Awe Joe, I’m sorry that you don’t like your billets.” I said sincerely. “I would hate to be in that situation. What is it that you don’t like about them?”
“They hover around me all the time. They are so intrusive. I feel like I’m walking on eggshells living there,” he ranted “Coach told me they are new to billeting, but I just hate living there.”
“Joe, you need to talk to Coach about this. Is that why you always seem so pissed off, because of these billets?” I asked. He shrugged.
“Well, for tonight at least you can chill at my place. We can get this project finished and then if you want to hang around for dinner and just watch a movie or something that’s fine.” I offered.
“Cool, thanks Chrissy.” He said as we walked to my billet’s house in silence.
Every so often it looked like Joe wanted to say something, then he would just stop. It made me smile. He seemed just as insecure about things as I did. It was almost comforting. Maybe I had Joe all wrong? He just seemed lost and lonely. Maybe it was just as hard of an adjustment on him as it was me? I should learn to be more sympathetic towards him. At least I had Moose to turn to. He was like the big brother I didn’t have and always wanted. He seemed to really get me.
As usual no one was at the Peat’s home when we arrived. I showed Joe around. He was jealous of the set up we had here. At his billet’s he just had a room and no real privacy he told me. We started working on the project right away and we were finished it in just over an hour.
I heard Moose come bouncing through the door throwing his bag down the stairs. I heard the slamming of the fridge door from inside the kitchen. He came downstairs with a sandwich and coke, and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Joe Sim sitting on the couch with me.
He chuckled under his breath and said “What’s up Schmelt?” He was looking at Joe
.
Joe shrugged,“history project.” Joe seemed uncomfortable around Moose. I wondered why? Maybe Joe was really just an insecure guy and that’s why he picked on me?
“Hey Moose, do you know of players who didn’t get along with their billets? What should a player do in that case?” I asked without thinking. I saw Joe shoot me an evil look. “No Worries Joe, Moose isn’t going to say shit to the guys.” I assured him.
“That’s shitty Joe, usually they just suck it up and hang out at other player’s places. What’s the issue with your billets?” He asked Joe.
“No privacy, hovering, can’t take a shit without telling them what I’m doing.” He groaned “It’s like being in prison there or something.”
“Alright, I’ll talk to coach for you, maybe he can speak with your billets. I know they are fairly new to billeting players; it happens every season with at least one player and new billets.”
He squeezed onto the couch between Joe and myself. “So what are we watching?”
“Nothing really, you can put whatever you want on. Joe you’re welcome to stay and hang out here for a while. I know you don’t really want to go home, but I am going to go for a quick run,” I informed him. I was hoping maybe he would confide in Moose a little more about his living situation if I left them alone.
“Hey, do you mind if I run with you?” He queried. That shocked me, but I always welcomed the company. I saw Moose raise his eyebrow in disbelieve and curiosity. Moose was already starting to get vigilant over me with the guys. He shot me a look as if to let him know if this is what I really wanted. So protective, it was adorable.
“Sure.” I smiled so Moose would know it was fine. I gathered my books up to put them into my room and I changed into my sweats.
“I’m ready, are you?” I asked Joe.
“Yup.” He told me and out the door we went.
Joe was not a very talkative guy, kind of a loner. The run was silent for the most part. He couldn’t keep up with me. I had to slow down my pace.