This Love

33

Barrie Colts Home Opener Day

As soon as I wake up the next day I'm brimming with excitement because it's a game day again. I slide out of bed to go take a shower, humming along the way and while under the warm water. When I've cleaned up I get dressed in my usual game day outfit of some dark jeans a Colts track jacket for the morning before I need to switch into something dressier later. My phone starts ringing in the bedroom so I put down my brush walking over to the nightstand to grab the device. I smile when I see that it's Dan requesting a FaceTime call, I hit accept and he appears on my screen seconds later. "Morning gorgeous!" He exclaims while grinning, "afternoon handsome" I reply once I've quickly taken into account the time difference between us, "today is the first game right?" I nod while walking to the other side of the room to grab shoes from my closet, "I'm so excited, but that's every year on the first night of the season" Dan suddenly leaves the frame confusing me.

"Where'd you go?" I ask my boyfriend, he reappears wearing a Barrie Colts jersey. I grin, "how?" He smiles setting his phone down before backing up so that I can see the full jersey, he turns to show me the 'Andrews' spelled out on the back, I bring a hand up to cover my mouth, "I need to support my girlfriend" he tells me, "Dan you didn't need to" he approaches the phone again picking it up, "I did and I want to, you've been supporting me all of this time so now I need to do the same" I feel my eyes watering at the gesture. "Hey don't cry Cal, I didn't mean to do that" I laugh through my tears, a huge smile on my face, "I'm happy you goof, no one has ever gone above and beyond like you have for me" he furrows his eyebrows frowning, "no one?" I shake my head while using my palms to wipe away the tears, "well you deserve it, you work so hard and I'm so proud" he smiles at me which warms my heart. "Crazy to think that this all began because of the logo on your chest" I say remembering my hat and that first race in Melbourne. He looks down at the jersey he's wearing before looking at me again, "yeah that feels like eons ago, I guess I owe them one right?" I shrug, "that's up to you hotshot" he chuckles making me smile. "I need to go Dan" he nods, "I love you gorgeous, have a great game" I shrug again, "thanks, fingers crossed" he gives me one last smile and wave before ending the call.

——

A few hours before puck drop I find myself jogging to the ladies washroom at the rink to change into my game night attire. When I'm ready I make my way back to the office to send some last minute emails before going into game mode for the rest of the night. As I'm leaving my office later I spot Mel typing something on her phone. "Hey!" She looks up and smiles, "what's up Cal?" I toss her my phone, "first game of the season always deserves a picture" she laughs but puts her phone away before adjusting her grip on mine, I grab one of the programs, which dons the design that I worked on all summer, and hold it up to my face my eyes the only thing visible as Mel steps closer to me to get the perfect zoom in. After a few shots with me laughing thanks to the players making funny faces over Mel's shoulder I manage a serious picture. She hands me my phone, "you should post them all, the best ones are always the natural ones" I smile, "thanks for your help" she nods and leaves the offices, me on her tail as we go get settled for warm ups.

When I've found a seat in the press box above the action I take out my phone to post the pictures. I take Mel's advice and post all of the pictures a smile coming to my face seeing the joy on my face in them, 'nothing like the first game of the season' I hit share and put my phone away focusing on the ice below where warm ups are underway. "How's it going Callie?" I look towards the voice seeing my colleague Mike smiling as he sits next to me, "pretty good considering that it was really hectic this past week" I reply with a smile, "it's all worth it when game one gets started" I nod in agreement.

"How's your family?" I ask realizing that I haven't spoken to him in awhile "everyone's doing good, little Maya misses you, might have to convince Marnie to bring her to a game" I smile at the thought of his daughter who never fails to make a game night extra fun, "I think you're into something there Mike" he chuckles and rolls his eyes, "using me for my daughter, unbelievable" I shrug innocently. "What about you Cal, how's that boyfriend of yours?" I raise my eyebrows surprised that he knows, "don't look so shocked, word travels fast around here, I'm surprised that you were able to keep it quiet for this long" I huff, "this team" I mumble with a shake of my head. "Am I going to have to lecture this guy? Because if he hurts you I will hurt him" my eyes widen, "not necessary Mike, you worry about your family and I'll worry about my relationship" he smiles, "you're like a little sister Cal, I just want the best for you" I place a hand in his arm feeling thankful, "I know but you have more important things to worry about, like the teenagers on the ice" he sighs but nods as we look back to the ice where the players are skating off so that the zamboni can do one last flood before puck drop.

——

The game flies by and before I know it I'm sleepily walking into the house the clock telling me it's nearing midnight. Once I've changed into my pjs I brush my teeth and wipe off my makeup stumbling into bed with a sigh. My hand automatically reaches for my phone, I go into Instagram to see what I missed throughout the night. I stop scrolling when I see Dan's post of him wearing the Colts jersey he showed me before the game, I like the picture smiling at the caption he included, Supporting my favourite person tonight❤️. My arm moves to my forehead as I stare at the ceiling grinning at how much the dark haired Australian cares about me. I let out a yawn turning on my side placing my phone back onto the nightstand. I flick off the light and rotate towards the window my eyes closing after my busy day, the sound of skates on ice running through my mind lulling me to sleep.