This Love

1

Huffing I sprint down the hall to get to the locker room to get a task done for puck drop later in the day. When I stop at the door I bend over taking a few deep breaths, I straighten up and push the door gracing the Barrie Colts logo open. I'm met with music blaring and a few of the players dancing while preparing their equipment. My gaze moves around the room looking for the stuff I was asked to grab, "looking for this Cal?" I look towards the voice to see one of the players' smiling at me while holding the things I was looking for, "yes thanks Sammy" I reply and grab what I need before leaving the room. This time I speed walk back to the office knowing that if I ran I would end up on the floor somewhere exhausted.

Back at the office I sit at my desk with the papers and things that I brought from the locker room. My fingers go to my keyboard bringing up the program for the night's game. I bite my lip as I include the finishing touches before hitting the print button. Standing I leave my office going to the printer to wait for the hundreds of programs to print. As I'm waiting a hand comes to my shoulder, I tense up automatically, "Cal you need a vacation" I look over at my co-worker Peter, "I'll get there eventually" I reply with a tired smile, "if you don't take at least a week off after this season ends tonight I'll drag you to the airport myself to get you on a plane" I lift an eyebrow at him not believing his threat, "don't even test me Callie" I roll my eyes and grab the finished programs walking back to my office.

——

A few hours later I change into my game night attire turning off my computer before making my way to the rink. When I feel the chill of the ice a few minutes later I smile joining the other office staff above the action in the press box. I take my seat between Peter and Michael, placing my notepad in front of me just in case it's needed. "Let's finish this season off with a bang" I nod a Michael's statement as my gaze stays on the ice watching the team get into position for puck drop.

Two periods later I'm chewing at my lip  on the edge of my seat as the final few minutes of the game tick down. The opposing team pulls their goalie for the extra attacker hoping to stay in the game. My eyes flick between the scoreboard and the puck making sure that we get through the last game of our season. When the buzzer goes I sigh while getting up to cheer on the group of guys who just missed out on a coveted playoff position. "We did it Cal, one more season done" Peter says with a smile, I nod, "wish it were longer" I mumble he nods and pats my shoulder before leaving the room. I go around the box one last time congratulating our staff on a great season and then I leave making my way down to our offices where I can gather up my belongings.

——

Once I get back to my house, which I share with some friends, I drop my stuff by the front door with a sigh. "Cal is that you?" I hear a voice ask, "YEAH!" I reply loudly. I slide off my shoes feeling instant relief, footsteps approach so I look up to see Lexi bounding into the room. "Guess what?!" I tilt my head and shrug, "my aunt who lives in Australia is letting me use her place for a few weeks so I'm treating us to a little vacation" my eyes widen, "Lex I cant let you pay for this" she shakes her head taking me into a hug, "yes I can and I will, my parents are chipping in because they know that all three of us have been working really long and hard hours" I bite my lip and she kisses my cheek before letting go of me, "don't overthink babe, we're going to go and have an amazing time" I sigh and walk to my room with a smile on my face.

I flop face down onto my bed a couple of minutes later happy to be done with a very eventful last day of the season. After a few seconds I rotate onto my back while lifting my phone over my head, scrolling through social media one last time before going to sleep. My mind can't help but overthink the whole Australia trip and how much it costs to go that far from here. I sigh rubbing my eyes to try and get rid of the thoughts that will worry me until we actually land in the country.